I'm building an ASP.NET Core 9 Web API project, and I want the whole application to be completely self-contained — no need for any external database setup, just run the app and everything works.

I'm using a local SQL Server .mdf file stored inside the project folder, and I'm trying to connect to it using LocalDB.

What I did

• Added the .mdf and .ldf files inside a Database/ folder in the project root

• I am using SQL Server with ADO.NET on it I copied the .mdf file from my SQL Server (it works on SQL Server)

• Used this connection string in appsettings.json:

  "ConnectionStrings": 
  {
      "DefaultConnection": "Data Source=(LocalDB)\\MSSQLLocalDB;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|\\Database\\BankAPI.mdf;Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30" 
  }
  

What I need help with:

• Is this the correct way to make the .mdf file work?
• Do I need to add or configure anything else to ensure it works on any machine without needing SQL Server setup?
• Any tips from someone who's done a similar setup?
• Am I doing things right any way?

Does anyone have a resource to learn and see how to do it will be very helpful

My project folder structure looks like this:

Bank Project/
├── API Layer/
│   ├── Program.cs
│   ├── appsettings.json
├── Business Logic Layer/
├── Data Access Layer/
├── Database/
│   ├── BankAPI.mdf
│   └── BankAPI_log.ldf