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Visual Studio Setup

Configure Visual Studio to use NugetHosting as a package source.

⏱️ 5 min read

Add Package Source

Follow these steps to add NugetHosting as a package source in Visual Studio:

Open Visual Studio
Go to Tools → NuGet Package Manager → Package Manager Settings
Select Package Sources in the left panel
Click the + (green plus) button to add a new source
Configure the new source:
- Name: NugetHosting
- Source: https://nuget.nugethosting.com/v3/index.json
Click Update, then OK

https://nuget.nugethosting.com/v3/index.json

💡 Tip: You can have both nuget.org and NugetHosting as sources. Visual Studio will search both.

Configure Credentials

Visual Studio will prompt for credentials when accessing private feeds. Use:

Username: api

Password: YOUR_API_TOKEN

⚠️ Important: Check "Remember password" to avoid re-entering credentials every time.

Alternative: NuGet.config

For team projects, use a NuGet.config file in your solution root:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<configuration>
  <packageSources>
    <clear />
    <add key="nuget.org" value="https://api.nuget.org/v3/index.json" />
    <add key="NugetHosting" value="https://nuget.nugethosting.com/v3/index.json" />
  </packageSources>
  <packageSourceCredentials>
    <NugetHosting>
      <add key="Username" value="api" />
      <add key="ClearTextPassword" value="%NUGET_TOKEN%" />
    </NugetHosting>
  </packageSourceCredentials>
</configuration>

Browse Packages

To browse your private packages:

Right-click your project in Solution Explorer
Select Manage NuGet Packages...
In the Package Source dropdown (top right), select NugetHosting
Browse or search for your packages

✅ Tip: Select "All" as the package source to search both nuget.org and your private feed simultaneously.

Install Packages

Install packages using the Package Manager Console:

Install-Package MyPrivatePackage -Source NugetHosting

Or with a specific version:

Install-Package MyPrivatePackage -Version 1.2.3 -Source NugetHosting

Troubleshooting

"Unable to load the service index"

Verify the source URL is correct
Check your internet connection
Ensure your API token is valid

"401 Unauthorized"

Your token may be expired - generate a new one
Ensure the token has nuget:pull scope
Clear cached credentials: Tools → Options → NuGet → Clear All NuGet Cache(s)

"Package not found"

Verify you're searching the correct package source
Check if the package exists in your dashboard
Ensure the package version you're looking for is listed

Credentials not saving

Check that Windows Credential Manager is working
Try using a NuGet.config file instead
Run Visual Studio as Administrator (one-time only)

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