> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.zongsoft.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.zongsoft.com/documentation/en/tools/tools.md).

# Tool Overview

Zongsoft toolchain overview.

Zongsoft toolchain is used to assist deployment, packaging, upgrade and development and debugging.

## Tool List

| Tools                   | Commands         | Purpose                                                        |
| ----------------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Zongsoft.Tools.Deployer | `dotnet deploy`  | Deploy plugins and accompanying files based on `.deploy` files |
| Zongsoft.Tools.Packager | `dotnet-pack`    | Make `.tar.gz`, `.deb`, `.rpm` installation packages           |
| Zongsoft.Tools.Upgrader | `dotnet-upgrade` | Produce, verify and publish automatic upgrade packages         |
| Zongsoft.Tools.Regular  | GUI              | Regular expression testing tool                                |

## Recommended Order of Use

1. Use `dotnet deploy` to deploy the plugin to the host.
2. Use host to complete run verification.
3. For initial installation delivery, you can use `dotnet-pack` to create an installation package.
4. For self-upgrading existing applications, you can use `dotnet-upgrade` to create an upgrade package; it is not required to generate deb/rpm first.

## Related Resources

* [tools repository](https://github.com/Zongsoft/tools)
* [tools Chinese README](https://github.com/Zongsoft/tools/blob/main/README.zh-Hans.md)
* [tools English README](https://github.com/Zongsoft/tools/blob/main/README.md)
* [Zongsoft.Tools.Deployer NuGet package](https://www.nuget.org/packages/Zongsoft.Tools.Deployer)
* [Zongsoft.Tools.Packager NuGet package](https://www.nuget.org/packages/Zongsoft.Tools.Packager)
* [Zongsoft.Tools.Upgrader NuGet package](https://www.nuget.org/packages/Zongsoft.Tools.Upgrader)

Parameters and formats of each tool: [deployer](/documentation/en/tools/deployer.md), [Install packager](/documentation/en/tools/packager.md), [Upgrade packager](/documentation/en/tools/upgrader.md), [Regular tester](/documentation/en/tools/regular.md). The command examples distinguish between PowerShell and Bash. Before execution, confirm the source directory, target directory, and actual application identity.


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