> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://til.cazzulino.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://til.cazzulino.com/dotnet/nuget/suppress-dependencies-when-packing.md).

# Suppress dependencies when packing

Some packing scenarios, especially those involving tools, require ignoring all dependencies (PackageReference as well as framework references) from the resulting package dependencies.

I [learned of a property](https://github.com/NuGet/Home/issues/6354) supported by `dotnet pack` for this:

```markup
<PropertyGroup>
  <SuppressDependenciesWhenPacking>true</SuppressDependenciesWhenPacking>
</PropertyGroup>
```

NuGetizer has more flexibility in this regard, providing both a `$(PackFrameworkReferences)` property as well as granular control over referenced packages via the `Pack` metadata on each `PackageReference`:

```markup
<PropertyGroup>
  <!-- Opt out of all framework references/dependencies -->
  <PackFrameworkReferences>false</PackFrameworkReferences>
</PropertyGroup>

<ItemDefinitionGroup>
  <PackageReference>
    <!-- Unless specified otherwise, opt-out of all dependencies -->
    <Pack>false</Pack>
  </PackageReference>
</ItemDefinitionGroup>

<ItemGroup>
  <!-- Example of explicitly opting in for a particular one -->
  <PackageReference Include="Foo" Pack="true" />
  <PackageReference Include="Bar" /> <!-- Will not be packed -->
</ItemGrop>
```

But in order to simplify this scenario further, both the compatibility `SuppressDependenciesWhenPacking` property as well as a new `PackDependencies` property is supported in [nugetizer](https://www.nuget.org/packages/nugetizer) to achieve the same.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://til.cazzulino.com/dotnet/nuget/suppress-dependencies-when-packing.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.