title: How can I deploy a C# console application as a single exe?
body: <p>I have searched for this and there are a number of previous answers but all seem overly complex. </p>
  
  <p>I'm new to C# and Windows development in general (previous Mac developer). </p>
  
  <p>I have written a simple console application in C# using Visual Studio Community edition. My application uses two third party libraries (CommandLineParser and json.NET) added to my project with NuGet from within VS. </p>
  
  <p>All I want to do is build my project as a standalone .exe file that can be simply run from a command prompt without having to worry about the end user having to install lots of DLLs (something that I'm not used to dealing with as a new Windows user).  I understand that the end user would need to have the .NET framework installed. Is there an idiot-proof guide to building a single .exe file in my use case?</p>
  
  <p>I can't help but think that this must be a very common problem. </p>
  
  <p>Thanks. </p>