EF Core Sidekick

Empower Your C# Development & Learning

A free Visual Studio extension that simplifies EF Core development, making it an ideal tool for both new and experienced C# developers.

What is EF Core Sidekick?

EF Core Sidekick is a Visual Studio extension that automates the generation of EF Core entities, services, and APIs, streamlining development by reducing manual coding and minimizing errors. Whether you're learning C# or refining your expertise, it provides a structured, best-practice approach to building robust applications.

Key Features

Effortless Reverse Engineering

Easily generate EF Core entities and DbContext classes by selecting your database tables, views, functions, and stored procedures through an intuitive UI. Supports EF Core versions 6.0 through 9.0, automatically handling keys, indexes, and relationships. Customize class and property names to align with your coding standards.

Rapid Service Scaffolding

Eliminate repetitive coding by quickly generating CRUD services for your entities. Configure sorting rules for data retrieval, and EF Core Sidekick will automatically populate LINQ-based queries according to your specifications.

Seamless API Generation

Save time by generating APIs for your services that integrate with authorization frameworks and support sensitive data encryption, reducing boilerplate code and enhancing security.

Easy DTO Generation & Mapping

Automatically generate Data Transfer Objects (DTOs) based on selected entities. Choose between creating a built-in DTO mapper or using an external mapper for entity-to-DTO conversions, facilitating efficient data handling.

Tailored Code Generation

Incorporate custom code, such as additional using directives, inheritance, class attributes, and code snippets, into the generated code. These customizations are preserved during subsequent code regenerations, ensuring long-term maintainability.

High-Quality, Maintainable Code

EF Core Sidekick generates code that adheres to EF Core best practices, promoting a well-structured, layered design with clear dependency relationships. This approach ensures clean, readable, and maintainable code, facilitating learning and development.

Learn C# and EF Core the Right Way

EF Core Sidekick is not just a productivity tool—it's also a great way to learn best practices in C# application development. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate developer, the extension generates production-ready code, allowing you to study real-world EF Core implementations while working on your own projects.

Get started for free

How EF Core Sidekick Empowers Every C# Developer:

Effortless Code Generation

Quickly scaffold EF Core models, repositories, services, and APIs—saving time on manual setup and letting you focus on core business logic.

Learning by Example

Automatically generated, well-structured code follows industry best practices, providing a real-world template for beginners and a reliable baseline for seasoned developers.

Rapid Iteration & Experimentation

Seamlessly update and regenerate code as your project evolves. Experiment with new ideas, modify database schemas, and instantly see the impact without tedious rewrites.

Enhanced Productivity & Maintainability

Streamline your development process with consistent, maintainable code that scales with your project—ideal for both building your first app and optimizing complex systems.

Build Your First C# App with EF Core

Want to build a real-world C# application? With EF Core Sidekick, you can create a working database-driven app in minutes.

Install the extension

Follow these simple steps:

#1
Set Up Your C# Project

Install EF Core Sidekick and create a new .NET app in Visual Studio.

#2
Generate Your EF Core Models

Use Sidekick to scaffold your database and entities.

#3
Build and Test Your API

Automatically create API endpoints for your data.

#4
Connect a UI (Optional)

Hook up a front-end using Blazor, ASP.NET MVC, or another framework.

#5
Experiment & Learn

Modify queries, add business logic, and see the impact instantly!

Want to build a backend-ready C# application?

Follow our Step-by-Step Guide to Building a C# App with EF Core to create a real-world project using EF Core Sidekick.

Get Started Today

Experience how EF Core Sidekick can transform your EF Core development workflow and keep your team agile. Download the extension, explore the comprehensive documentation, and join a community of .NET developers who are streamlining their development processes every day.

Install EF Core Sidekick Explore the docs

What is EF Core and Why Does It Matter?

If you're new to EF Core, here's why it's an essential part of modern C# development.

What is EF Core?

EF Core (Entity Framework Core) is a modern Object-Relational Mapper (ORM) for .NET applications.

It allows C# developers to interact with databases using C# objects instead of writing SQL manually. 

Why should I learn EF Core?

  • EF Core simplifies database access by allowing you to work with data using strongly typed C# objects.
  • It helps you follow best practices in C# and software architecture.
  • Many professional .NET applications use EF Core—learning it is a great career boost!
  • Senior developers can use advanced EF Core features, such as interceptors, batching, and compiled queries, to optimize database interactions.