How can I make a c# command line application runnable in cmd.exe with installer?

Question

I've written a C# command line application in visual studio. I would like to be able to run it as a command from the cmd.exe prompt application, after it installs. To do this I need to install the application in such a way that this would work

C:\Users\user3765372\Documents\>myAppName argument

a good example of an application with this functionality ins node.js eg:

C:\Users\user3765372\Documents\>nodejs server.js

Will cause node to run the server.js file. How can I make my program run like this for its commands?

Note my app isn't in Documents... its somewhere else.

I'm using this plugin to create the installer

Update:

This should work.... I think I may be making a mistake:

enter image description here

What do you mean "with an installer"? Any simple Console Application can be ran from the command line and passed parameters. You have access to these via `string[] args` in your `Main()` method. — Tom, Mar 10 '15 at 17:19
You add the folder containing your application to the PATH environment variable. — Mike Zboray, Mar 10 '15 at 17:20
@mikez how would I do that with an installer/in the program for a non-technical user trying to use my program? — user3765372, Mar 10 '15 at 17:21
@user3765372 What installer framework are you using? This is a common thing to do, so it should be easy. — Mike Zboray, Mar 10 '15 at 17:22
@mikez anything in vs would do, I was trying to use the publish menu, but I'm pretty sure that is wrong... — user3765372, Mar 10 '15 at 17:23
@user3765372 In wix: http://stackoverflow.com/a/1931644/517852 — Mike Zboray, Mar 10 '15 at 17:31
So you just want to update the Environmental Variable %Path% with your programs directory? — bill, Mar 10 '15 at 17:52
Based on your update, that's exactly what you're trying to do in that registry key. Editing the key directly will require a reboot or at least a restart of all running applications to take in effect. The method I posted below will not require that. — bill, Mar 11 '15 at 04:08

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 10 '15 at 17:57

string yourAppPath = //whateverdirectoryyouwant;
string path = string.Format("{0};{1}", Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", EnvironmentVariableTarget.Machine),yourAppPath);
Environment.SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", path, EnvironmentVariableTarget.Machine);

Some users report using SetEnvironmentalVariable not taking effect. You can do this instead:

Process.Start("setx", string.Format("/M Path {0}",path));

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 25 '18 at 05:09

If you want to create an installation (msi file) recommend using the Wix installer for creating an installation, and using the environment tag. More details here.

Alternately, you can use the Visual Studio Installer project but it will require a custom action.

How can I make a c# command line application runnable in cmd.exe with installer?

2 Answers2