Dotnet Advisor

---
name: dotnet-advisor
description: Routes .NET/C# work to domain skills. Loads coding-standards for code paths.
license: MIT
targets: ['*']
tags: ['foundation', 'dotnet', 'skill']
version: '0.0.1'
author: 'dotnet-agent-harness'
claudecode:
  allowed-tools: ['Read', 'Grep', 'Glob', 'Bash', 'Write', 'Edit']
codexcli:
  short-description: '.NET skill guidance for foundation tasks'
opencode:
  allowed-tools: ['Read', 'Grep', 'Glob', 'Bash', 'Write', 'Edit']
---

# dotnet-advisor

Router and index skill for **dotnet-agent-harness**. Always loaded. Routes .NET development queries to the appropriate
specialist skills based on context.

## Scope

- Routing .NET/C# requests to the correct domain skill or specialist agent
- Loading [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards] as baseline for all code paths
- Maintaining the skill catalog and routing precedence
- Delegating complex analysis to specialist agents
- Decision-tree navigation for ambiguous requests spanning multiple domains

## Out of scope

- Domain-specific implementation guidance -- see [skill:dotnet-architecture-patterns],
  [skill:dotnet-csharp-async-patterns], and other domain skills in the catalog below
- Project scaffolding -- see [skill:dotnet-scaffold-project]
- Version detection -- see [skill:dotnet-version-detection]
- Build system and MSBuild authoring -- see [skill:dotnet-msbuild-authoring]

## Immediate Routing Actions (Do First)

For every .NET/C# request, execute this sequence before detailed planning:

1. Invoke [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards].
2. Invoke the primary domain skill for the request (API, EF Core, testing, UI, CLI, architecture, etc.).
3. Continue with any additional routed skills.

For generic "build me an app" requests, do not skip step 1 even when project scaffolding is the next action.

## Default Quality Rule

For any task that may produce, change, or review C#/.NET code:

1. Load [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards] as a baseline dependency.
2. Then load domain-specific skills (API, EF Core, testing, UI, etc.).
3. Apply standards from coding-standards throughout planning and implementation, not only in final cleanup.

## First Step: Detect Project Version

Before any .NET guidance, determine the project's target framework:

> Load [skill:dotnet-version-detection] to read TFMs from `.csproj`, `Directory.Build.props`, and `global.json`. Adapt
> all guidance to the detected .NET version (net8.0, net9.0, net10.0, net11.0).

---

## Skill Catalog

### 1. Foundation & Plugin Infrastructure `implemented`

- **dotnet-advisor** -- this skill (router/index)
- [skill:dotnet-version-detection] -- TFM/SDK detection, preview features
- [skill:dotnet-project-analysis] -- solution structure, project refs, CPM
- [skill:dotnet-file-based-apps] -- .NET 10 file-based apps, `#:` directives, no .csproj

### 2. Core C# & Language Patterns `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-csharp-modern-patterns] -- C# 14/15 features, records, pattern matching
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards] -- naming, conventions, file organization
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-async-patterns] -- async/await best practices, common mistakes
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-nullable-reference-types] -- NRT patterns, annotations, migration
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-dependency-injection] -- MS DI, keyed services, decoration
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-configuration] -- options pattern, feature flags, secrets
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-source-generators] -- IIncrementalGenerator, emit patterns
- [skill:dotnet-csharp-code-smells] -- code smells, anti-patterns, common pitfalls
- [skill:dotnet-roslyn-analyzers] -- custom DiagnosticAnalyzer, CodeFixProvider, testing, NuGet packaging
- [skill:dotnet-file-io] -- FileStream, RandomAccess, FileSystemWatcher, MemoryMappedFile, path handling
- [skill:dotnet-io-pipelines] -- System.IO.Pipelines: PipeReader/PipeWriter, backpressure, protocol parsing
- [skill:dotnet-linq-optimization] -- IQueryable vs IEnumerable, compiled queries, deferred execution
- [skill:dotnet-native-interop] -- P/Invoke, LibraryImport, marshalling, cross-platform native calls

### 3. Project Structure & Scaffolding `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-project-structure] -- .slnx, Directory.Build.props, CPM, analyzers
- [skill:dotnet-artifacts-output] -- UseArtifactsOutput, ArtifactsPath, impact on CI and Docker
- [skill:dotnet-scaffold-project] -- project scaffolding with best practices
- [skill:dotnet-add-analyzers] -- Roslyn analyzers, nullable, trimming, AOT compat
- [skill:dotnet-add-ci] -- add CI/CD to existing project
- [skill:dotnet-add-testing] -- add test infrastructure
- [skill:dotnet-modernize] -- analyze code for modernization opportunities

### 4. Architecture Patterns `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-architecture-patterns] -- minimal API org, vertical slices, error handling
- [skill:dotnet-background-services] -- BackgroundService, Channels, producer/consumer
- [skill:dotnet-resilience] -- Polly v8 + MS.Extensions.Resilience (NOT Http.Polly)
- [skill:dotnet-http-client] -- IHttpClientFactory, typed/named clients, resilience
- [skill:dotnet-observability] -- OpenTelemetry, structured logging, health checks
- [skill:dotnet-efcore-patterns] -- DbContext lifecycle, migrations, interceptors
- [skill:dotnet-efcore-architecture] -- read/write models, avoiding N+1
- [skill:dotnet-data-access-strategy] -- EF Core vs Dapper vs ADO.NET decision
- [skill:dotnet-containers] -- multi-stage Dockerfiles, rootless, health checks
- [skill:dotnet-container-deployment] -- Kubernetes, Docker Compose, registries
- [skill:dotnet-messaging-patterns] -- pub/sub, competing consumers, DLQ, sagas, delivery guarantees
- [skill:dotnet-domain-modeling] -- DDD aggregates, value objects, domain events, repository contracts
- [skill:dotnet-structured-logging] -- log aggregation, structured queries, sampling, PII scrubbing
- [skill:dotnet-aspire-patterns] -- .NET Aspire: AppHost, service discovery, components, dashboard

### 5. Serialization & Communication `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-serialization] -- AOT source-gen: STJ, Protobuf, MessagePack
- [skill:dotnet-grpc] -- service definition, streaming, auth, health checks
- [skill:dotnet-realtime-communication] -- SignalR, JSON-RPC, SSE, gRPC streaming
- [skill:dotnet-service-communication] -- routes to gRPC, real-time, or REST

### 6. API Development `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-minimal-apis] -- route groups, filters, validation, OpenAPI 3.1
- [skill:dotnet-api-versioning] -- URL versioning, Asp.Versioning.Http/Mvc
- [skill:dotnet-openapi] -- OpenAPI: MS.AspNetCore.OpenApi (built-in .NET 9+), Swashbuckle migration, NSwag,
  transformers
- [skill:dotnet-api-security] -- Identity, OAuth/OIDC, JWT, passkeys (WebAuthn), CORS, CSP, rate limiting
- [skill:dotnet-input-validation] -- .NET 10 AddValidation, FluentValidation, Data Annotations, endpoint filters,
  ProblemDetails
- [skill:dotnet-library-api-compat] -- binary/source compatibility rules, type forwarders, SemVer impact
- [skill:dotnet-api-surface-validation] -- PublicApiAnalyzers, Verify snapshot pattern, ApiCompat CI enforcement

### 7. Security `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-security-owasp] -- OWASP top 10 for .NET
- [skill:dotnet-secrets-management] -- user secrets, secure config patterns
- [skill:dotnet-cryptography] -- modern crypto incl. post-quantum (.NET 10)

### 8. Testing `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-testing-strategy] -- unit vs integration vs E2E, organization
- [skill:dotnet-xunit] -- xUnit v3, theories, fixtures, parallelism
- [skill:dotnet-integration-testing] -- WebApplicationFactory, Testcontainers
- [skill:dotnet-ui-testing-core] -- core UI testing patterns
- [skill:dotnet-blazor-testing] -- bUnit for Blazor components
- [skill:dotnet-maui-testing] -- Appium, XHarness for MAUI
- [skill:dotnet-uno-testing] -- Playwright for Uno WASM
- [skill:dotnet-playwright] -- browser automation, E2E testing
- [skill:dotnet-snapshot-testing] -- Verify for snapshot testing
- [skill:dotnet-test-quality] -- coverage, CRAP analysis, mutation testing

### 9. Performance & Benchmarking `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-benchmarkdotnet] -- BenchmarkDotNet setup, configs, CI
- [skill:dotnet-performance-patterns] -- Span, pooling, zero-alloc, sealed
- [skill:dotnet-profiling] -- dotnet-counters, trace, dump, memory
- [skill:dotnet-ci-benchmarking] -- continuous benchmarking, regression detection
- [skill:dotnet-gc-memory] -- GC modes, LOH/POH, Gen0/1/2 tuning, Span/Memory, ArrayPool, profiling

### 10. Native AOT & Trimming `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-native-aot] -- trimming, RD.xml, reflection-free, size opt
- [skill:dotnet-aot-architecture] -- architect for AOT from start
- [skill:dotnet-trimming] -- trim-safe annotations, linker config, testing
- [skill:dotnet-aot-wasm] -- WASM AOT for Blazor and Uno

### 11. CLI Tool Development `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-system-commandline] -- System.CommandLine, middleware, hosting
- [skill:dotnet-cli-architecture] -- layered CLI design, testability
- [skill:dotnet-cli-distribution] -- Native AOT + cross-platform distribution strategy
- [skill:dotnet-cli-packaging] -- Homebrew, apt/deb, winget, Scoop, Chocolatey, dotnet tool
- [skill:dotnet-cli-release-pipeline] -- unified multi-platform CI/CD release workflow
- [skill:dotnet-tool-management] -- install, manage, restore global/local .NET tools

### 12. UI Frameworks `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-blazor-patterns] -- Server, WASM, Hybrid, auto/streaming
- [skill:dotnet-blazor-components] -- component architecture, JS interop
- [skill:dotnet-blazor-auth] -- auth across hosting models
- [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] -- Extensions, MVUX, Toolkit, themes
- [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] -- Web/WASM, Mobile, Desktop, Embedded
- [skill:dotnet-uno-mcp] -- Uno MCP server for live docs
- [skill:dotnet-maui-development] -- MAUI patterns, current state
- [skill:dotnet-maui-aot] -- MAUI Native AOT on iOS/Mac Catalyst
- [skill:dotnet-winui] -- WinUI 3 / Windows App SDK, XAML, MSIX, UWP migration
- [skill:dotnet-wpf-modern] -- WPF on .NET 8+, Host builder, MVVM Toolkit, Fluent theme
- [skill:dotnet-wpf-migration] -- WPF/WinForms to .NET 8+, WPF to WinUI or Uno, UWP migration
- [skill:dotnet-winforms-basics] -- WinForms on .NET 8+, high-DPI, dark mode, DI
- [skill:dotnet-accessibility] -- cross-platform accessibility: SemanticProperties, ARIA, AutomationPeer, testing tools
- [skill:dotnet-ui-chooser] -- decision tree for UI framework selection

### 13. Multi-Targeting & Polyfills `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-multi-targeting] -- PolySharp, Polyfill, conditional compilation
- [skill:dotnet-version-upgrade] -- .NET 8 -> 10 -> 11 upgrade guidance

### 14. Localization & Internationalization `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-localization] -- i18n: .resx, IStringLocalizer, RTL, pluralization

### 15. Packaging & Publishing `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-nuget-authoring] -- NuGet package authoring, signing, validation, source generators
- [skill:dotnet-msix] -- MSIX creation, signing, distribution, auto-update
- [skill:dotnet-github-releases] -- GitHub Releases with release notes

### 16. Release Management `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-release-management] -- NBGV, changelogs, SemVer strategy

### 17. CI/CD `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-gha-patterns] -- reusable workflows, composite actions, matrix
- [skill:dotnet-gha-build-test] -- .NET build + test workflows
- [skill:dotnet-gha-publish] -- NuGet/container publishing workflows
- [skill:dotnet-gha-deploy] -- deployment patterns (Pages, registries)
- [skill:dotnet-ado-patterns] -- ADO YAML pipelines, Environments, Gates
- [skill:dotnet-ado-build-test] -- ADO build + test pipelines
- [skill:dotnet-ado-publish] -- ADO publishing pipelines
- [skill:dotnet-ado-unique] -- ADO-specific: classic pipelines, service connections

### 18. Documentation `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-documentation-strategy] -- Starlight, Docusaurus, DocFX
- [skill:dotnet-mermaid-diagrams] -- architecture/sequence/class diagrams
- [skill:dotnet-github-docs] -- README, CONTRIBUTING, issue templates
- [skill:dotnet-xml-docs] -- XML documentation comments
- [skill:dotnet-api-docs] -- API doc generation, OpenAPI specs

### 19. Agent Meta-Skills `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-agent-gotchas] -- common agent mistakes with .NET
- [skill:dotnet-build-analysis] -- understand build output, MSBuild errors
- [skill:dotnet-csproj-reading] -- read/modify .csproj, MSBuild properties
- [skill:dotnet-solution-navigation] -- navigate solutions, find entry points

### 20. AI & LLM Integration `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-semantic-kernel] -- Semantic Kernel: plugins, prompt templates, memory, agents

### 21. Debugging `implemented`

- [skill:dotnet-windbg-debugging] -- WinDbg MCP: crash dumps, hangs, high CPU, memory triage (any Windows app)

---

## Routing Logic

Use this decision tree to load the right skills for the current task.

### Starting a New Project

1. [skill:dotnet-version-detection] -- detect or choose target framework
2. [skill:dotnet-project-analysis] -- understand existing solution (if any)
3. [skill:dotnet-project-structure], [skill:dotnet-scaffold-project] -- scaffold project
4. [skill:dotnet-architecture-patterns] -- design decisions

- File-based app (no .csproj, .NET 10+) -> [skill:dotnet-file-based-apps]
- Build output layout (UseArtifactsOutput, .NET 8+) -> [skill:dotnet-artifacts-output]

### Writing or Modifying C# Code

- Always load first -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-coding-standards] (baseline for all C#/.NET code paths)
- Modern C# patterns -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-modern-patterns]
- NRT -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-nullable-reference-types]
- DI -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-dependency-injection]
- Configuration -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-configuration]
- Async/await, concurrency -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-async-patterns]
- Source generators -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-source-generators]
- Code review, code quality, anti-patterns -> [skill:dotnet-csharp-code-smells]
- Custom analyzers/code fixes -> [skill:dotnet-roslyn-analyzers]
- File I/O, FileStream, RandomAccess, FileSystemWatcher, MemoryMappedFile, path handling -> [skill:dotnet-file-io]
- IO.Pipelines, high-perf network I/O -> [skill:dotnet-io-pipelines]
- LINQ optimization, IQueryable pitfalls -> [skill:dotnet-linq-optimization]
- P/Invoke, native interop, LibraryImport, marshalling -> [skill:dotnet-native-interop]

### Building APIs

- Minimal APIs (default for new) -> [skill:dotnet-minimal-apis]
- API versioning -> [skill:dotnet-api-versioning]
- OpenAPI/Swagger, Swashbuckle migration -> [skill:dotnet-openapi]
- Auth, CORS, rate limiting, CSP -> [skill:dotnet-api-security]
- Input validation, FluentValidation, Data Annotations -> [skill:dotnet-input-validation]
- Library binary/source compatibility -> [skill:dotnet-library-api-compat]
- API surface tracking, PublicApiAnalyzers -> [skill:dotnet-api-surface-validation]
- Resilience/HTTP clients -> [skill:dotnet-resilience], [skill:dotnet-http-client]

### Working with Data

- EF Core for working with databases -> [skill:dotnet-efcore-patterns], [skill:dotnet-efcore-architecture]
- Choosing data access approach (EF Core vs Dapper vs ADO.NET) -> [skill:dotnet-data-access-strategy]
- Serialization (JSON, Protobuf) -> [skill:dotnet-serialization]
- Domain modeling, DDD patterns -> [skill:dotnet-domain-modeling]

### Building UI

- Choosing a framework -> [skill:dotnet-ui-chooser]
- Accessibility (any UI framework) -> [skill:dotnet-accessibility]
- Blazor app architecture/components -> [skill:dotnet-blazor-patterns], [skill:dotnet-blazor-components]
- Blazor login/logout/auth UI behavior -> [skill:dotnet-blazor-auth]
- Uno Platform -> [skill:dotnet-uno-platform], [skill:dotnet-uno-targets], [skill:dotnet-uno-mcp]
- MAUI -> [skill:dotnet-maui-development], [skill:dotnet-maui-aot]
- WPF -> [skill:dotnet-wpf-modern] (migration: [skill:dotnet-wpf-migration])
- WinUI -> [skill:dotnet-winui]
- WinForms -> [skill:dotnet-winforms-basics]

### Testing

- Strategy/what to test -> [skill:dotnet-testing-strategy]
- xUnit v3 -> [skill:dotnet-xunit]
- Integration tests -> [skill:dotnet-integration-testing]
- UI testing -> [skill:dotnet-ui-testing-core] + framework-specific skill
- Snapshot testing -> [skill:dotnet-snapshot-testing]
- Coverage/quality -> [skill:dotnet-test-quality]

### Performance Work

- Benchmarking -> [skill:dotnet-benchmarkdotnet]
- Optimization patterns -> [skill:dotnet-performance-patterns]
- Profiling -> [skill:dotnet-profiling]
- CI benchmarks -> [skill:dotnet-ci-benchmarking]
- GC tuning, memory management -> [skill:dotnet-gc-memory]

### Native AOT / Trimming

- AOT compilation -> [skill:dotnet-native-aot]
- Architecting for AOT -> [skill:dotnet-aot-architecture]
- Trimming -> [skill:dotnet-trimming]
- WASM AOT -> [skill:dotnet-aot-wasm]

### CLI Tools

- System.CommandLine -> [skill:dotnet-system-commandline]
- CLI design -> [skill:dotnet-cli-architecture]
- Distribution -> [skill:dotnet-cli-distribution], [skill:dotnet-cli-packaging], [skill:dotnet-cli-release-pipeline]
- Tool install, manifest, restore -> [skill:dotnet-tool-management]

### Containers & Deployment

- Dockerfiles -> [skill:dotnet-containers]
- Kubernetes/Compose -> [skill:dotnet-container-deployment]

### Security

- OWASP compliance -> [skill:dotnet-security-owasp]
- Secrets management -> [skill:dotnet-secrets-management]
- Cryptography -> [skill:dotnet-cryptography]

### Communication Patterns

- gRPC -> [skill:dotnet-grpc]
- Real-time (SignalR, SSE) -> [skill:dotnet-realtime-communication]
- Choosing protocol -> [skill:dotnet-service-communication]
- Messaging, event-driven (Service Bus, RabbitMQ) -> [skill:dotnet-messaging-patterns]

### CI/CD Setup

- GitHub Actions -> [skill:dotnet-gha-patterns], [skill:dotnet-gha-build-test], [skill:dotnet-gha-publish],
  [skill:dotnet-gha-deploy]
- Azure DevOps -> [skill:dotnet-ado-patterns], [skill:dotnet-ado-build-test], [skill:dotnet-ado-publish],
  [skill:dotnet-ado-unique]

### Packaging & Releases

- NuGet publishing -> [skill:dotnet-nuget-authoring]
- MSIX -> [skill:dotnet-msix]
- GitHub Releases -> [skill:dotnet-github-releases]
- Versioning -> [skill:dotnet-release-management]

### Multi-Targeting

- Multi-TFM builds -> [skill:dotnet-multi-targeting]
- Version upgrades -> [skill:dotnet-version-upgrade]

### Localization

- i18n/l10n -> [skill:dotnet-localization]

### Documentation

- Doc strategy -> [skill:dotnet-documentation-strategy]
- Diagrams -> [skill:dotnet-mermaid-diagrams]
- GitHub docs -> [skill:dotnet-github-docs]
- XML docs -> [skill:dotnet-xml-docs]
- API docs -> [skill:dotnet-api-docs]

### Agent Assistance

- Agent making .NET mistakes -> [skill:dotnet-agent-gotchas]
- Build errors -> [skill:dotnet-build-analysis]
- Reading .csproj -> [skill:dotnet-csproj-reading]
- Navigating solutions -> [skill:dotnet-solution-navigation]

### Background Work

- Background services, queues -> [skill:dotnet-background-services]
- Observability/logging -> [skill:dotnet-observability]
- Log pipeline design, aggregation, PII scrubbing -> [skill:dotnet-structured-logging]

### Cloud & Orchestration

- .NET Aspire, service discovery, AppHost -> [skill:dotnet-aspire-patterns]

### AI & LLM Integration

- Semantic Kernel, LLM orchestration, plugins -> [skill:dotnet-semantic-kernel]

### Debugging

- Windows app crash, hang, freeze, high CPU, memory leak, dump analysis, WinDbg, cdb -> [skill:dotnet-windbg-debugging]

### Specialist Agent Routing

For complex analysis that benefits from domain expertise, delegate to specialist agents:

- Async/await performance, ValueTask, ConfigureAwait, IO.Pipelines -> [skill:dotnet-async-performance-specialist]
- ASP.NET Core middleware, request pipeline, DI lifetimes, diagnostic scenarios -> [skill:dotnet-aspnetcore-specialist]
- Test architecture, test type selection, test data management, microservice testing ->
  [skill:dotnet-testing-specialist]
- Cloud deployment, .NET Aspire, AKS, CI/CD pipelines, distributed tracing -> [skill:dotnet-cloud-specialist]
- General code review (correctness, performance, security, architecture) -> [skill:dotnet-code-review-agent]