Quick start with the Graph C# SDK

Use the Graph C# SDK to query content from Optimizely Graph with a strongly typed, LINQ-style API in .NET applications. This guide shows how to install the SDK, configure authentication, and run your first query.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, confirm that you have the following:

• .NET 10.0 or later.
• An Optimizely Graph instance with an AppKey and Secret from the Graph portal.
• Content synchronized to Optimizely Graph.

If content is not synchronized yet, run the Graph Full Synchronization scheduled job in CMS.

Install the package

Install the core query package:

dotnet add package Optimizely.Graph.Cms.Query

Configure your credentials

Add your Graph endpoint and credentials to appsettings.json:

{
  "Optimizely": {
    "Graph": {
      "Endpoint": "https://cg.optimizely.com",
      "AppKey": "YOUR_APP_KEY",
      "Secret": "YOUR_SECRET_KEY"
    }
  }
}

❗️

Important

Do not commit Secret to source control. Store credentials in environment variables or a secure secrets manager in production.

Write your first query

Inject IGraphContentClient into your controller and call QueryContent<T>() to retrieve content. The following example queries BlogPostPage items by author:

public class MyController : Controller
{
    private readonly IGraphContentClient _graphClient;

    public MyController(IGraphContentClient graphClient)
    {
        _graphClient = graphClient;
    }

    public async Task<IActionResult> Index()
    {
        var result = await _graphClient
            .QueryContent<BlogPostPage>()
            .Where(x => x.Author == "John Developer")
            .Limit(10)
            .GetAsContentAsync();

        return View(result);
    }
}

GetAsContentAsync() returns an IGetAsContentResult<T>, which implements IEnumerable<T>. You can iterate over the returned content items directly.

Common issues on first run

Next steps

Now that you have a working query, explore the rest of the SDK:

• Authentication requests in C# SDK — Single Key versus Basic authentication
• Filter Optimizely Graph results using C# SDK — filter by string, numeric, boolean, and date fields
• Search content in Optimizely Graph using C# SDK — full-text search with field boosting
• Paginate Optimizely Graph results using C# SDK — Skip and Limit for large result sets
• Aggregate Optimizely Graph results in C# SDK — facets for category-based filtering
• Search tracking — track which results users click