ASP.NET Web API self-hosting

An example of self-hosting an ASP.NET Web API application as a console application or a windows service using TopShelf.

How To: hosting Web API as a console application

Step 1: Create a new console project e.g. RestApi

Step 2: Add Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.OwinSelfHost NuGet package

Install-Package Microsoft.AspNet.WebApi.OwinSelfHost

Step 3: Add Startup class

public class Startup
{
    public void Configuration(IAppBuilder app)
    {
        var config = ConfigureApi();
        app.UseWebApi(config);
    }

    private HttpConfiguration ConfigureApi()
    {
        var config = new HttpConfiguration();
        config.Routes.MapHttpRoute(
            "DefaultApi",
            "api/{controller}/{id}",
            new { id = RouteParameter.Optional });
        return config;
    }
}

Step 4: Add a controller

public class DemoController : ApiController
{
    public string Get()
    {
        return "This is a self-hosted web api application!";
    }
}

Step 5: Edit Program.cs

public static void Main(string[] args)
{
    using (WebApp.Start<Startup>("http://localhost:8085"))
    {
        Console.WriteLine("The application is started.");
        Console.WriteLine("Press 'enter' to quit.");
        Console.ReadLine();
    }
}

Step 6: Build & run the program and go to http://localhost:8085/api/Demo

You are awesome!

How To: hosting Web API as a windows service using TopShelf

You should complete "Hosting Web API as a console application" first.

Step 1: Add TopShelf NuGet package

Install-Package TopShelf

Step 2: Create RestService class

public class RestService
{
    private IDisposable _app;

    public void Start()
    {
        _app = WebApp.Start<Startup>("http://localhost:8085");
    }

    public void Stop()
    {
        if (_app != null)
            _app.Dispose();
    }
}

Step 3: Edit Program.cs

public static void Main(string[] args)
{
    HostFactory.Run(x =>
    {
        x.Service<RestService>(s =>
        {
            s.ConstructUsing(() => new RestService());
            s.WhenStarted(rs => rs.Start());
            s.WhenStopped(rs => rs.Stop());
            s.WhenShutdown(rs => rs.Stop());
        });
        x.RunAsLocalSystem();
        x.StartAutomatically();

        x.SetServiceName("WebApiRestService");
        x.SetDisplayName("WebApiRestService");
        x.SetDescription("This is an example of self-hosted web api rest service.");
    });
}

For more information see Topshelf Configuration.

Step 4: Build & run the program and go to http://localhost:8085/api/Demo

Step 5: Run 'cmd' as Administrator, go to bin\Debug and run

RestApi.exe install

Step 6: Start your windows service

RestApi.exe start

For more information see Topshelf Command-Line Reference.

Step 7: Ensure the service has appeared in 'Services' and working - http://localhost:8085/api/Demo

You are awesome!