From 69962a2ed70742bd70221ad1c281d27914a920f2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Fowler <davidfowl@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 08:55:08 -0700
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Clarify .NET SDK requirements in CLI and deployment docs

Remove the blanket CLI SDK prerequisite and scope CI SDK setup to the C# AppHost and .NET API examples.

Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 src/frontend/src/content/docs/deployment/docker-compose.mdx | 6 +++---
 .../src/content/docs/integrations/compute/docker.mdx        | 6 +++---
 .../content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx   | 4 ++--
 src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/overview.mdx    | 6 ------
 src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/overview.mdx        | 2 +-
 5 files changed, 9 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/deployment/docker-compose.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/deployment/docker-compose.mdx
index 01c80a9e2..b55a1a80c 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/deployment/docker-compose.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/deployment/docker-compose.mdx
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ echo $GITHUB_TOKEN | docker login ghcr.io -u your-github-username --password-std
 
 ## GitHub Actions example
 
-The following GitHub Actions workflow builds and pushes container images to GitHub Container Registry (GHCR):
+The following GitHub Actions workflow builds and pushes container images to GitHub Container Registry (GHCR) using the C# AppHost and .NET API shown above. The .NET setup step provides the SDK for those projects. Adapt the runtime setup steps to match your AppHost language and the services you build.
 
 ```yaml title=".github/workflows/build-and-push.yml"
 name: Build and Push Images
@@ -751,7 +751,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Setup .NET
+      - name: Set up .NET for the C# AppHost and API
         uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
         with:
           dotnet-version: '10.0.x'
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@ jobs:
         run: aspire do push
 ```
 
-This workflow checks out your code, sets up .NET and installs the Aspire CLI, authenticates to GHCR using the built-in `GITHUB_TOKEN`, and builds and pushes container images using `aspire do push`.
+This workflow checks out your code, sets up .NET for the C# AppHost and API, and installs the Aspire CLI. It then authenticates to GHCR using the built-in `GITHUB_TOKEN` and builds and pushes container images using `aspire do push`.
 
 ## See also
 
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/integrations/compute/docker.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/integrations/compute/docker.mdx
index 9533fc71a..0a4e99d44 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/integrations/compute/docker.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/integrations/compute/docker.mdx
@@ -866,7 +866,7 @@ echo $GITHUB_TOKEN | docker login ghcr.io -u your-github-username --password-std
 
 ### GitHub Actions workflow example
 
-Here's an example GitHub Actions workflow that builds and pushes images to GHCR:
+The following GitHub Actions workflow builds and pushes images to GHCR using the C# AppHost and .NET API shown above. The .NET setup step provides the SDK for those projects. Adapt the runtime setup steps to match your AppHost language and the services you build.
 
 ```yaml title=".github/workflows/build-and-push.yml"
 name: Build and Push Images
@@ -885,7 +885,7 @@ jobs:
     steps:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v4
 
-      - name: Setup .NET
+      - name: Set up .NET for the C# AppHost and API
         uses: actions/setup-dotnet@v4
         with:
           dotnet-version: '10.0.x'
@@ -915,7 +915,7 @@ jobs:
 This workflow:
 
 - Checks out your code
-- Sets up .NET and installs the Aspire CLI
+- Sets up .NET for the C# AppHost and API, then installs the Aspire CLI
 - Authenticates to GHCR using the built-in `GITHUB_TOKEN`
 - Builds and pushes container images using [`aspire do push`](/reference/cli/commands/aspire-do/)
 
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
index e8c3b76b0..b09a0d5f8 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ aspire doctor [options]
 
 ## Description
 
-The `aspire doctor` command runs a series of diagnostic checks to verify that your development environment is properly configured for Aspire development. It checks prerequisites such as the .NET SDK, container runtime, and environment settings.
+The `aspire doctor` command runs a series of diagnostic checks to help troubleshoot your Aspire development environment. It checks SDKs, container runtimes, and environment settings.
 
 <Aside type="note">
   The `aspire doctor` command replaces the hidden `aspire setup` command. If you
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ This command is useful for troubleshooting when you encounter issues with Aspire
 
 - **Aspire checks**: Reports the current Aspire CLI version and whether a newer CLI version is available, and suggests running `aspire update` when a newer one is available
 - **AppHost checks**: Reports the AppHost Aspire SDK version when an AppHost project is present in the current directory
-- **SDK checks**: Verifies .NET SDK installation and version requirements
+- **SDK checks**: Reports .NET SDK availability and version
 - **Container checks**: Validates container runtime (Docker and/or Podman) availability, running status, and version. Reports which runtime is active and why (explicit configuration, auto-detected default, or auto-detected only runtime running)
 - **Environment checks**: Reports operating system information (type, version, and Linux distro details when available) and validates environment variables and other settings, including the JavaScript toolchain required by TypeScript AppHosts (npm, pnpm, Yarn, or Bun)
 - **Development tools checks**: When VS Code is detected, reports whether the [Aspire VS Code extension](https://aka.ms/aspire/vscode-extension) is installed
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/overview.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/overview.mdx
index 4fcf838dd..f716c60ce 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/overview.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/overview.mdx
@@ -13,12 +13,6 @@ The Aspire CLI (`aspire` command) is a cross-platform tool that provides command
 Only run Aspire CLI commands from repositories and directories that you trust.
 :::
 
-<Aside type="note">
-  Starting with Aspire 13.0, the Aspire CLI requires .NET SDK version 10.0.100
-  or later. Ensure that you have the appropriate .NET SDK installed to use the
-  Aspire CLI.
-</Aside>
-
 The Aspire CLI is an interactive-first experience.
 
 <CardGrid>
diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/overview.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/overview.mdx
index 465e87c59..14a0fb7c8 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/overview.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/overview.mdx
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ Every `aspire` command is designed to be discoverable and interactive. Pass `--h
       icon: 'heart',
       title: 'aspire doctor',
       description:
-        'Diagnose your development environment. Checks for .NET SDK, container runtime, and other prerequisites.',
+        'Diagnose your development environment. Checks SDKs, container runtimes, and environment settings.',
       href: '/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor/',
     },
   ]}

From 055000896faa0b92e4d08db97840c506286dbf38 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: David Fowler <davidfowl@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2026 09:26:26 -0700
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Clarify doctor description wording

Co-authored-by: Copilot App <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .../src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx   | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
index b09a0d5f8..85138b939 100644
--- a/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
+++ b/src/frontend/src/content/docs/reference/cli/commands/aspire-doctor.mdx
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ aspire doctor [options]
 
 ## Description
 
-The `aspire doctor` command runs a series of diagnostic checks to help troubleshoot your Aspire development environment. It checks SDKs, container runtimes, and environment settings.
+The `aspire doctor` command runs a series of diagnostic checks to help you troubleshoot your Aspire development environment. It checks SDKs, container runtimes, and environment settings.
 
 <Aside type="note">
   The `aspire doctor` command replaces the hidden `aspire setup` command. If you