Why isn't there any packages folder in my .NET Core solution's containing folder?

Question

Are packages now cached in a more shared location somewhere or what?

My solution folder is devoid of any packages folder:

Answer 1

Per project: References->Nuget dictates what packages are referenced and restored. But, as Eastrall mentioned, the packages folder is now global and located in your user folder: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\.nuget\packages

Answer 2

To force ./packages folder for Solution

To force download of packages folder to be a child of the solution folder for .NET Core projects, follow these steps:

1. Create a NuGet.Config file in the same directory as the .sln file.

2. Copy the following contents into the NuGet.Config file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<configuration>
  <config>
    <add key="globalPackagesFolder" value=".\packages" />
  </config>
</configuration>

3. Configure NuGet to download missing packages by:

   3.1. In Visual Studio: Tools -> Options

   3.2. Filter by nuget (top left in dialog). Select General

   3.3. Ensure Allow NuGet to download missing packages is checked

3. Close and re-open the solution. NuGet will download the required packages.

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Note: the NuGet.Config configuration can also be achieved by executing the following command from the NuGet Package Manager Console (Tools -> NuGet Package Manager -> Package Manager Console):

PM> nuget config -set globalPackagesFolder=.\packages -configfile "$(pwd)\NuGet.Config"

Answer 3

You still have packages folder in your .NET Core solution, but the global packages are located at: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\.nuget\packages