dotnet-msix
dotnet-msix
MSIX packaging pipeline for .NET desktop applications: package creation from csproj (WindowsPackageType) and WAP projects, certificate signing (self-signed for development, trusted CA for production, Microsoft Store signing), distribution channels (Microsoft Store submission, App Installer sideloading, enterprise deployment via SCCM/Intune), auto-update configuration (App Installer XML, version checking, differential updates), MSIX bundle format for multi-architecture (.msixbundle), and CI/CD MSIX build steps.
Version assumptions: Windows App SDK 1.6+ (current stable). Windows 10 build 19041+ minimum for MSIX with Windows App SDK. Windows 10 build 1709+ for App Installer auto-update protocol. .NET 8.0+ baseline.
Scope boundary: This skill owns the MSIX packaging pipeline -- creation, signing, distribution, Store submission, auto-update, and CI build steps. WinUI 3 project setup, XAML patterns, and the packaged vs unpackaged deployment mode comparison are owned by [skill:dotnet-winui]. General Native AOT compilation (PublishAot, ILLink descriptors) is owned by [skill:dotnet-native-aot]. General CI/CD pipeline patterns are owned by [skill:dotnet-gha-patterns] and [skill:dotnet-ado-patterns].
Out of scope: WinUI 3 project setup and MSIX vs unpackaged comparison -- see [skill:dotnet-winui]. Native AOT MSBuild configuration -- see [skill:dotnet-native-aot]. General CI/CD pipeline patterns -- see [skill:dotnet-gha-patterns] and [skill:dotnet-ado-patterns]. General NuGet packaging -- see [skill:dotnet-nuget-authoring]. Container-based deployment -- see [skill:dotnet-containers].
Cross-references: [skill:dotnet-winui] for WinUI project setup and packaging mode comparison, [skill:dotnet-native-aot] for AOT + MSIX scenarios, [skill:dotnet-gha-patterns] for CI pipeline structure, [skill:dotnet-ado-patterns] for ADO pipeline structure, [skill:dotnet-nuget-authoring] for NuGet packaging.
MSIX Package Creation
From csproj (Single-Project Packaging)
Modern WinUI 3 and Windows App SDK apps can produce MSIX packages directly from the application .csproj without a separate Windows Application Packaging (WAP) project.
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