Template Authoring

Workflow

Step 1: Bootstrap from existing project

Analyze the source .csproj and create a .template.config/template.json:

1. Create .template.config directory next to the project
2. Generate template.json with identity (reverse-DNS), name, shortName, sourceName (project name for replacement), classifications, and tags
3. Preserve from source: SDK type, package references with metadata (PrivateAssets, IncludeAssets), properties (OutputType, TreatWarningsAsErrors), CPM patterns

Minimal example:

{
  "$schema": "http://json.schemastore.org/template",
  "author": "MyOrg",
  "classifications": ["Library"],
  "identity": "MyOrg.Templates.MyLib",
  "name": "My Library Template",
  "shortName": "mylib",
  "sourceName": "MyLib",
  "tags": { "language": "C#", "type": "project" }
}

Step 2: Validate template.json

Read and review the template.json for common authoring issues:

Validation checks to perform:

• Required fields — verify identity, name, and shortName are present
• Identity format — use reverse-DNS format (e.g., MyOrg.Templates.WebApi)
• Parameter issues — check datatypes are valid (string, bool, choice, int, float), choices have defaults, descriptions are present
• ShortName conflicts — avoid names that collide with built-in CLI commands (build, run, test, publish). Check with dotnet new list to see if the name is already taken
• Post-action completeness — verify post-actions have all required configuration
• Tags — ensure language, type, and classification tags are set for discoverability

Step 3: Refine the template

Based on validation results and user requirements:

1. Add parameters with appropriate types (string, bool, choice), defaults, and descriptions
2. Add conditional content using #if preprocessor directives for optional features
3. Configure post-actions for solution add, restore, or custom scripts
4. Set constraints to restrict which SDKs or workloads the template supports
5. Add classifications and tags for discoverability

Step 4: Test the template locally

dotnet new install ./path/to/template/root
dotnet new mylib --name TestProject --dry-run
dotnet new mylib --name TestProject --output ./test-output
dotnet build ./test-output/TestProject

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