Goal

I am trying to edit at runtime a .cshtml view defined in a razor class library and see the effects of my modifications without restarting the application, thus achieving runtime compilation of razor views. I have followed the instructions given here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/mvc/views/view-compilation?view=aspnetcore-8.0&tabs=visual-studio#enable-runtime-compilation-for-a-razor-class-library

Expected results and actual results

I was expecting the edited view (defined in razor class library) to be refreshed, however when I edit a .cshtml and save it, nothing changes when I force a refresh (ctrl-f5) of the browser.

What I tried basically:

• I created a razor class library with a controller and a view and 1 mvc host project (.net 8)
• I added a project reference from host to razor class library
• I added a nuget reference to Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Razor.RuntimeCompilation to the host project
• I added the runtime compilation in the host and the fileprovider for the razor class library:

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
builder.Services.AddControllersWithViews()
    .AddRazorRuntimeCompilation();
builder.Services.Configure<MvcRazorRuntimeCompilationOptions>(options =>
{
    var libraryPath = Path.GetFullPath(
        Path.Combine(builder.Environment.ContentRootPath, "..", "Bug.RazorPages.RazorClassLibrary"));

    options.FileProviders.Add(new PhysicalFileProvider(libraryPath));
});

Still it did not work, so I tried this:

• I added the nuget package Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Razor.RuntimeCompilation directly to the razor class library, not only the host project.

And now it works.

So basically my issue is: Is this the correct way ? If not what is required ? Either way, I think the documentation should be updated to be more clear. Thanks!

Sample github projet

I have created a sample project on github demonstrating the problem:

https://github.com/CurlyFire/Bug.RazorPages

Steps to reproduce:

• Run the application in debug
• Edit Bug.RazorPages.RazorClassLibrary/Views/RazorClassLibrary/Index.cshtml, save and refresh the page
• Notice that nothing happens
• Stop debugging
• Add nuget package reference Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc.Razor.RuntimeCompilation directly to the razor class library
• Run the application in debug
• Edit Bug.RazorPages.RazorClassLibrary/Views/RazorClassLibrary/Index.cshtml, save and refresh the page
• Notice that it refreshes