How to migrate an ASP.NET Core application from .NET 5 to .NET 8 (or newer)?

Short answer: Update target framework in project file (net8.0). Update NuGet packages and dependencies. Adapt code for minimal APIs if desired. Replace Startup with minimal hosting model if preferred. Test thoroughly for API changes or obsoleted APIs. Review and update middleware and routing patterns.

Example code

Update target framework in project file (net8.0). Update NuGet packages and dependencies. Adapt code for minimal APIs if desired. Replace Startup with minimal hosting model if preferred. Test thoroughly for API changes or obsoleted APIs. Review and update middleware and routing patterns.

Real-world example (ShopNest)

A ShopNest checkout request flows through middleware, hits a minimal API or controller, uses scoped services, and returns ProblemDetails on errors.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.