Razor Single File Generator for MVC

This tool allows you to compile your razor views and thus distribute them without source code.

Below is the how-to from the blogpost at: http://www.chrisvandesteeg.nl/2010/11/22/embedding-pre-compiled-razor-views-in-your-dll/

Step 1: Install the FileGenerator

(using this download)

Step 2: Create new mvc project

Step 3: Add a class library to hold the views

Step 4: Cut your Models & Views folders

Step 5: Paste them into the just created Class Library

Step 6: Copy the website’s web.config file

Step 7: Paste that web.config file into the class library

Step 8: Select all your .cshtml files in the class library and set the Custom Tool to ‘MvcRazorClassGenerator’

Does anyone have a suggestion on improving this step??

Step 9: Build your class library

Step 10: Add your class library to the references of the web application

Step 11: Add ‘Commons.web.mvc.precompiledviews.dll’ as a reference to your website

this dll is copied to the class library’s output folder (in this case ../EmbeddedViews/bin/debug’)

Step 12: Register your views by adding a line to the application_start in global.asax.cs

Step 13: Run your website!

Now, you will see the normal default website, even though there aren’t any views in your website path!

If you wish to override some views, just create the normal folders (eg /Views/Home) and add your views there, but don’t forget to copy back the deleted /Views/web.config back into your project then!