Developers frequently waste time creating ZIP archives containing unwanted build artifacts like node_modules, bin/obj folders, and .nuget caches. This common frustration turns 5-second tasks into 5-minute ordeals when manually excluding directories. The new dnx zipsrc CLI tool solves this by intelligently packaging only source code while automatically excluding build outputs and dependencies.

Powered by . NET 10's dnx command, it runs without installation and leverages existing .gitignore patterns for smart exclusion. The tool provides intelligent naming using solution or folder names, automatically appends (2), (3) for duplicates, and falls back to comprehensive defaults when .gitignore is missing.

It supports C#, Node.js, and many other project types through GitignoreParserNet. This innovation matters because it streamlines sharing clean source code for support tickets, email attachments, code reviews, and teaching materials. Unlike existing solutions, dnx zipsrc offers better naming conventions, auto-incrementing filenames, and superior default ignore rules, making it essential for developers who regularly archive or share projects.