Add new dotnet tool exec command documentation and point existing docs to use dnx as the top-level method (#48287)

* Add new `dotnet tool exec` command documentation and point existing docs to use `dnx` as the top-level method.

* resolve linting errors

* fix invalid link

* fix nuget package source mapping redirects

* udpate dotnet-counters urls to be relative to silence suggestion from OPB

* Revert these two link suggestion fixes because they result in invalid links

* Apply suggestions from code review

Co-authored-by: Genevieve Warren <[email protected]>

* Update docs/core/tools/dotnet-tool-exec.md

---------

Co-authored-by: Genevieve Warren <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Meaghan Osagie (Lewis) <[email protected]>

Author: 3 people

docs/core/diagnostics/dotnet-counters.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: dotnet-counters diagnostic tool - .NET CLI
 description: Learn how to install and use the dotnet-counter CLI tool for ad-hoc health monitoring and first-level performance investigation.
-ms.date: 11/17/2020
+ms.date: 09/06/2025
 ms.topic: reference
 ---
 # Investigate performance counters (dotnet-counters)
@@ -12,16 +12,35 @@ Counters can be read from applications running .NET 5 or later.
 
 ## Install
 
-There are two ways to download and install `dotnet-counters`:
+There are three ways to download and use `dotnet-counters`:
+
+- **One-shot execution (recommended):**
+
+  Starting with .NET 10.0.100, you can run `dotnet-counters` without permanent installation using [`dnx`](../tools/dotnet-tool-exec.md):
+
+  ```dotnetcli
+  dnx dotnet-counters [options]
+  ```
+
+  For example:
+
+  ```dotnetcli
+  dnx dotnet-counters monitor --process-id 1234
+  ```
+
+  This approach automatically downloads and runs the latest version without permanently modifying your system.
 
 - **dotnet global tool:**
 
-  To install the latest release version of the `dotnet-counters` [NuGet package](https://www.nuget.org/packages/dotnet-counters), use the [dotnet tool install](../tools/dotnet-tool-install.md) command:
+  To install the latest release version of the `dotnet-counters` [NuGet package](https://www.nuget.org/packages/dotnet-counters) for frequent use, use the [dotnet tool install](../tools/dotnet-tool-install.md) command:
 
   ```dotnetcli
   dotnet tool install --global dotnet-counters
   ```
 
+  This command installs a `dotnet-counters` binary to your .NET SDK Tools path, which
+you can add to your PATH to easily invoke globally-installed tools.
+
 - **Direct download:**
 
   Download the tool executable that matches your platform:
@@ -182,7 +201,7 @@ dotnet-counters monitor [-h|--help] [-p|--process-id] [-n|--name] [--diagnostic-
 
   A comma-separated list of counters. Counters can be specified `provider_name[:counter_name]`. If the `provider_name` is used without a qualifying list of counters, then all counters from the provider are shown. To discover provider and counter names, see [built-in metrics](built-in-metrics.md). For [EventCounters](event-counters.md), `provider_name` is the name of the EventSource and for [Meters](metrics.md), `provider_name` is the name of the Meter.
 
- **`-- <command>`**
+- **`-- <command>`**
 
   After the collection configuration parameters, you can append `--` followed by a command to start a .NET application. `dotnet-counters` will launch a process with the provided command and monitor the requested metrics. This is often useful to collect metrics for the application's startup path and can be used to diagnose or monitor issues that happen early before or shortly after the main entry point.
 

docs/core/tools/dotnet-tool-exec.md

@@ -0,0 +1,137 @@
+---
+title: dotnet tool exec command
+description: The dotnet tool exec command downloads and invokes a .NET tool in one step without permanent installation.
+ms.date: 09/06/2025
+---
+# dotnet tool exec
+
+**This article applies to:** ✔️ .NET 10.0.100 SDK and later versions
+
+## Name
+
+`dotnet tool exec` - Downloads and invokes a .NET tool without permanently installing it.
+
+## Synopsis
+
+```dotnetcli
+dotnet tool exec <PACKAGE_NAME>[@<VERSION>]
+    [--allow-roll-forward] [-a|--arch <ARCHITECTURE>]
+    [--add-source <SOURCE>] [--configfile <FILE>] [--disable-parallel]
+    [--framework <FRAMEWORK>] [--ignore-failed-sources] [--interactive]
+    [--no-http-cache] [--prerelease]
+    [-v|--verbosity <LEVEL>]
+    [--] [<tool-arguments>...]
+
+dotnet tool exec -h|--help
+```
+
+## Description
+
+The `dotnet tool exec` command provides a one-shot tool invocation mode for .NET Tools. It automatically downloads the specified tool package to the NuGet cache and invokes it without modifying your system `PATH` or requiring permanent installation.
+
+When you run `dotnet tool exec`, the command:
+
+1. Checks the version (or version range) you specify (or the latest version if none is specified) against your configured NuGet feeds to decide which package to download.
+2. Downloads the specified package to the NuGet cache (if not already present).
+3. Invokes the tool with any provided arguments.
+4. Returns the tool's exit code.
+
+`dotnet tool exec` works seamlessly with both global and local tools. If you have a local tool manifest available, it uses the manifest to determine which version of the tool to run.
+
+This command also exists in two other forms for easier use
+
+* `dotnet dnx` - A hidden alias for `dotnet tool exec` that is used as a way to easily implement the `dnx` script itself
+* `dnx` - A shell script that invokes `dotnet dnx` from the SDK. This script is provided by the installer and is available on `PATH`. It allows for very simple use of tools directly via `dnx <toolname>`.
+
+## Arguments
+
+- **`PACKAGE_NAME`**
+
+  The NuGet package ID of the .NET tool to execute. You can optionally specify a version using the `@` syntax, for example `[email protected]`.
+
+- **`tool-arguments`**
+
+  Arguments to pass to the tool being executed. Everything after `--` is passed directly to the tool.
+
+## Options
+
+- **`--allow-roll-forward`**
+
+  Allow the tool to use a newer version of the .NET runtime if the runtime it targets isn't installed.
+
+- **`--add-source <SOURCE>`**
+
+  Adds an additional NuGet package source to use during installation. Feeds are accessed in parallel, not in a fallback cascade sequence. If the same package and version is available in multiple feeds, the fastest feed wins. For more information, see [What happens when a NuGet package is installed](/nuget/concepts/package-installation-process#what-happens-when-a-nuget-package-is-installed). You can control this through the use of NuGet package source mapping. For more information, see [Package Source Mapping](/nuget/consume-packages/package-source-mapping).
+
+- **`--configfile <FILE>`**
+
+  The NuGet configuration file (*nuget.config*) to use. If specified, only the settings from this file are used. If not specified, the hierarchy of configuration files from the current directory are used. For more information, see [Common NuGet Configurations](/nuget/consume-packages/configuring-nuget-behavior).
+
+- **`--disable-parallel`**
+
+  Disables querying the configured NuGet feeds in parallel.
+
+- **`--ignore-failed-sources`**
+
+  Treats package source failures as warnings.
+
+- **`--interactive`**
+
+  Allows the command to stop and wait for user input or action, for example, to complete authentication. This option defaults to `true` when the command detects that it's being run directly by a user.
+
+- **`--no-http-cache`**
+
+  Doesn't cache HTTP requests to the configured NuGet feeds.
+
+- **`--prerelease`**
+
+  Allows prerelease packages to be selected when resolving the version to install.
+
+- **`-v|--verbosity <LEVEL>`**
+
+  Sets the verbosity level of the command. Allowed values are `q[uiet]`, `m[inimal]`, `n[ormal]`, `d[etailed]`, and `diag[nostic]`. The default is `normal`.
+
+[!INCLUDE [help](../../../includes/cli-help.md)]
+
+## Examples
+
+- **`dotnet tool exec dotnetsay`**
+
+  Downloads (if necessary) and runs the latest version of the `dotnetsay` tool.
+
+- **`dotnet tool exec [email protected]`**
+
+  Downloads (if necessary) and runs version 2.1.0 of the `dotnetsay` tool.
+
+- **`dotnet tool exec dotnetsay@2.*`**
+
+  Downloads (if necessary) and runs the latest version of the `dotnetsay` tool in the 2.x version range.
+
+- **`dotnet tool exec dotnetsay -- Hello World`**
+
+  Runs the `dotnetsay` tool and passes "Hello World" as arguments to the tool.
+
+- **`dotnet tool exec --add-source https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json mytool`**
+
+  Downloads and runs `mytool` using the specified NuGet source.
+
+## Comparison with other commands
+
+This command is intended to be a unified way to work with .NET Tools. While the previously available tool installation commands remain available, `dotnet tool exec` provides a simpler and more flexible experience for most users.
+
+| Command | Purpose | Installation | Scope |
+|---------|---------|--------------|-------|
+| `dotnet tool exec` | One-shot execution | None (cached only) | Temporary |
+| `dotnet tool install -g` | Permanent global installation | Global | System-wide |
+| `dotnet tool install` | Permanent local installation | Local manifest | Project |
+| `dotnet tool run` | Run an already-installed local tool | Requires prior installation | Project |
+
+The `dotnet tool install -g` command does still serve an important purpose for users who want to permanently install a tool. However, for users who want to try out a tool or run it in a CI/CD pipeline, `dotnet tool exec` is often a better fit.
+
+## See also
+
+- [.NET tools](global-tools.md)
+- [dotnet tool install](dotnet-tool-install.md)
+- [dotnet tool run](dotnet-tool-run.md)
+- [Tutorial: Install and use a .NET global tool using the .NET CLI](global-tools-how-to-use.md)
+- [Tutorial: Install and use a .NET local tool using the .NET CLI](local-tools-how-to-use.md)

docs/core/tools/global-tools-how-to-use.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Tutorial: Install and use a .NET global tool"
 description: Learn how to install and use a .NET tool as a global tool.
 ms.topic: tutorial
-ms.date: 07/25/2023
+ms.date: 09/06/2025
 ---
 
 # Tutorial: Install and use a .NET global tool using the .NET CLI
@@ -14,8 +14,23 @@ This tutorial teaches you how to install and use a global tool. You use a tool t
 ## Prerequisites
 
 * Complete the [first tutorial of this series](global-tools-how-to-create.md).
+* .NET 10.0.100 SDK or later (for `dnx`) - optional but recommended.
 
-## Use the tool as a global tool
+## Run the tool without installation (recommended)
+
+Starting with .NET 10.0.100, you can run .NET tools without permanent installation using [`dnx`](dotnet-tool-exec.md):
+
+1. Run the tool directly using dnx (simplified syntax):
+
+   ```dotnetcli
+   dnx microsoft.botsay --add-source ./nupkg microsoft.botsay hello from the bot
+   ```
+
+   The `--add-source` parameter tells the .NET CLI to use the *./nupkg* directory as an additional source feed for NuGet packages when the tool is not available on NuGet.org.
+
+## Use the tool as a global tool (traditional installation)
+
+If you prefer permanent installation for frequent use:
 
 1. Install the tool from the package by running the [dotnet tool install](dotnet-tool-install.md) command in the *microsoft.botsay* project folder:
 

docs/core/tools/local-tools-how-to-use.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 title: "Tutorial: Install and use .NET local tools"
 description: Learn how to install and use a .NET tool as a local tool.
 ms.topic: tutorial
-ms.date: 05/06/2022
+ms.date: 09/06/2022
 ---
 
 # Tutorial: Install and use a .NET local tool using the .NET CLI
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ This tutorial teaches you how to install and use a local tool. You use a tool th
 
 * Complete the [first tutorial of this series](global-tools-how-to-create.md).
 * Install the .NET Core 2.1 runtime.
+* .NET 10.0.100 SDK or later (for `dnx`) - optional but recommended.
 
   For this tutorial you install and use a tool that targets .NET Core 2.1, so you need to have that runtime installed on your machine. To install the 2.1 runtime, go to the [.NET Core 2.1 download page](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet/2.1) and find the runtime installation link in the **Run apps - Runtime** column.
 
@@ -54,7 +55,7 @@ The tools listed in a manifest file are available to the current directory and s
 
 When you use a CLI command that refers to a local tool, the SDK searches for a manifest file in the current directory and parent directories. If it finds a manifest file, but the file doesn't include the referenced tool, it continues the search up through parent directories. The search ends when it finds the referenced tool or it finds a manifest file with `isRoot` set to `true`.
 
-## Install botsay as a local tool
+## Install botsay as a local tool (traditional approach)
 
 Install the tool from the package that you created in the first tutorial:
 
@@ -88,13 +89,30 @@ The *.config/dotnet-tools.json* file now has one tool:
 }
 ```
 
-## Use the tool
+## Use the installed local tool
 
-Invoke the tool by running the `dotnet tool run` command from the *repository* folder:
+Once installed as a local tool, you can invoke it in multiple ways:
 
-```dotnetcli
-dotnet tool run botsay hello from the bot
-```
+- Run the tool directly using `dnx`:
+
+   ```dotnetcli
+   dnx microsoft.botsay --add-source ./nupkg hello from the bot
+   ```
+
+   > [!NOTE]
+   > When using dnx with a local tool manifest, it automatically uses the version specified in the manifest.
+
+- Using `dotnet botsay`:
+
+   ```dotnetcli
+   dotnet botsay hello from the bot
+   ```
+
+- Using `dotnet tool run`
+
+   ```dotnetcli
+   dotnet tool run botsay hello from the bot
+   ```
 
 ## Restore a local tool installed by others
 

docs/navigate/tools-diagnostics/toc.yml

@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@ items:
             href: ../../core/tools/dotnet-test.md
           - name: dotnet tool
             items:
+              - name: dotnet tool exec
+                href: ../../core/tools/dotnet-tool-exec.md
               - name: dotnet tool install
                 href: ../../core/tools/dotnet-tool-install.md
               - name: dotnet tool list