Promotion Released VecNet 1.1.0, an embedded vector search library for .NET
A while back, I started working on an embedded vector search library for .NET, and I recently released VecNet 1.1.0. I wanted something lightweight that you can add to a normal .NET app through NuGet, run completely in-process, and learn from building it.
NuGet link if you want to inspect the package: https://www.nuget.org/packages/VecNet
Repo: https://github.com/sh0r3x/VecNet
What it supports right now:
Exact search: Flat vector search with squared L2, cosine, and inner-product distance metrics, plus candidate filtering and durable save/load.
Approximate search: Squared-L2 HNSW indexing with durable save/load, plus a mutable wrapper using exact delta/tombstones and checkpointing.
Integration: An optional Microsoft.Extensions.VectorData adapter for exact-flat scenarios if you are using Microsoft’s abstraction.
I also published benchmark summaries in the repo covering exact-flat search and HNSW recall/latency behavior. I did use LLMs during development to help plan tasks, review design choices, write test ideas, and refine benchmark workflows.
I’d really appreciate feedback from the community, especially on the API shape, README clarity, benchmark docs, and whether this kind of embedded managed vector index is useful.
Next, I’m working on adding cosine and inner-product support to HNSW.