diff --git a/.github/workflows/pr.yaml b/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
index e0aa9f9..d0ba74a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/pr.yaml
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ jobs:
 
       - name: Check Code Formatting
         run: |
+          # dotnet format is built into .NET 6+ SDK (no separate installation needed)
           # Find solution file
           solution=$(find . -maxdepth 2 \( -name "*.sln" -o -name "*.slnx" \) | head -n 1)
           
diff --git a/README-FORMATTING.md b/README-FORMATTING.md
index 969e094..cc6816e 100644
--- a/README-FORMATTING.md
+++ b/README-FORMATTING.md
@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 This repository uses `dotnet format` to enforce consistent C# code style.
 
+## Prerequisites
+
+The `dotnet format` command is **built into the .NET SDK** starting with .NET 6 and later. Since this project requires .NET 8.0 SDK or later, you already have `dotnet format` available — no separate tool installation is needed.
+
+> **Note:** The standalone `dotnet-format` global tool was deprecated when `dotnet format` was integrated into the .NET 6 SDK in August 2021.
+
 ## For Developers
 
 ### Before Committing
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 2f9c0fe..ae682e0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ This project is licensed under the **MIT License**. See the [LICENSE](LICENSE) f
 
 - **API Documentation:** Generated via DocFX (see `docfx_project/`)
 - **Formatting Guide:** [README-FORMATTING.md](README-FORMATTING.md)
-- **Setup Instructions:** [SETUP.md](SETUP.md)
+- **Contributing Guide:** [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)
 
 ---
 
diff --git a/format.ps1 b/format.ps1
index be7176c..a0cf415 100644
--- a/format.ps1
+++ b/format.ps1
@@ -28,6 +28,27 @@ $ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
 Write-Host "🎨 Code Formatting Script" -ForegroundColor Cyan
 Write-Host ""
 
+# Verify dotnet format is available (built into .NET 6+ SDK)
+Write-Host "🔍 Checking for dotnet format..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
+dotnet format --version | Out-Null
+
+if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0)
+{
+    Write-Host ""
+    Write-Host "❌ dotnet format is not available!" -ForegroundColor Red
+    Write-Host ""
+    Write-Host "The 'dotnet format' command is built into the .NET SDK starting with .NET 6." -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "This project requires .NET 8.0 SDK or later." -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host ""
+    Write-Host "Please install the .NET 8.0 SDK or later from:" -ForegroundColor Yellow
+    Write-Host "https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download" -ForegroundColor Cyan
+    Write-Host ""
+    exit 1
+}
+
+Write-Host "✅ dotnet format is available" -ForegroundColor Green
+Write-Host ""
+
 # Find solution file
 $solutions = Get-ChildItem -Path . -File | Where-Object { $_.Extension -eq '.sln' -or $_.Extension -eq '.slnx' } | Select-Object -First 1