Windows App Development CLI (winapp) for building, packaging, and deploying Windows applications. Use when asked to initialize Windows app projects, create MSIX packages, generate AppxManifest.xml, manage development certificates, add package identity for debugging, sign packages, or access Windows SDK build tools. Supports .NET, C++, Electron, Rust, Tauri, and cross-platform frameworks targeting Windows.
View on GitHubFebruary 3, 2026
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npx add-skill https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/e32291ee9fa096244b3846869e7dab9f7aec2e67/skills/winapp-cli/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill winapp-cliInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/winapp-cli/# Windows App Development CLI The Windows App Development CLI (`winapp`) is a command-line interface for managing Windows SDKs, MSIX packaging, generating app identity, manifests, certificates, and using build tools with any app framework. It bridges the gap between cross-platform development and Windows-native capabilities. ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Initialize a Windows app project with SDK setup, manifests, and certificates - Create MSIX packages from application directories - Generate or manage AppxManifest.xml files - Create and install development certificates for signing - Add package identity for debugging Windows APIs - Sign MSIX packages or executables - Access Windows SDK build tools from any framework - Build Windows apps using cross-platform frameworks (Electron, Rust, Tauri, Qt) - Set up CI/CD pipelines for Windows app deployment - Access Windows APIs that require package identity (notifications, Windows AI, shell integration) ## Prerequisites - Windows 10 or later - winapp CLI installed via one of these methods: - **WinGet**: `winget install Microsoft.WinAppCli --source winget` - **NPM** (for Electron): `npm install @microsoft/winappcli --save-dev` - **GitHub Actions/Azure DevOps**: Use [setup-WinAppCli](https://github.com/microsoft/setup-WinAppCli) action - **Manual**: Download from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/releases/latest) ## Core Capabilities ### 1. Project Initialization (`winapp init`) Initialize a directory with required assets (manifest, certificates, libraries) for building a modern Windows app. Supports SDK installation modes: `stable`, `preview`, `experimental`, or `none`. ### 2. MSIX Packaging (`winapp pack`) Create MSIX packages from prepared directories with optional signing, certificate generation, and self-contained deployment bundling. ### 3. Package Identity for Debugging (`winapp create-debug-identity`) Add temporary package identity to executables