# Dotnet Aot Analysis

> Analyzes and configures a .NET project or solution for Native AOT compatibility. Orchestrates source generator skills and applies AOT settings. Also use when the user mentions "AOT," "native AOT," "trimming," "publish AOT," "AOT compatibility," or "ahead-of-time compilation." For specific source generators, see dotnet-source-gen-json, dotnet-source-gen-regex, dotnet-source-gen-logging.

- Skill: `im5tu-claude/dotnet-aot-analysis` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add im5tu-claude/dotnet-aot-analysis`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/im5tu-claude/dotnet-aot-analysis/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: Im5tu (https://skillmd.com/u/im5tu-claude)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/im5tu-claude/dotnet-aot-analysis

---


Analyze and configure a .NET project or solution for Native AOT compatibility, applying source generators and AOT settings.

## When to Use

- User wants to enable Native AOT
- User wants to check AOT compatibility
- User wants to optimize for AOT deployment

## Workflow

### Step 1: Ask Scope

Ask user: **Solution-wide** or **Specific project(s)**?

### Step 2: Detect Project Types

For each project:
- Check for ASP.NET Core (`Microsoft.AspNetCore` refs, `WebApplication`, `CreateBuilder`)
- Check for Blazor Server (`Microsoft.AspNetCore.Components.Server`)
- Check for MVC (`AddControllersWithViews`, `AddMvc`)

### Step 3: Warn About Unsupported Scenarios

| Scenario | Documentation |
|----------|---------------|
| Blazor Server | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/native-aot |
| MVC | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/native-aot |
| Session state | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/native-aot |
| SPA middleware | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/native-aot |

Ask user: Continue with compatible projects or abort?

### Step 4: Invoke Sub-Skills

For each compatible project, invoke:
1. `dotnet-source-gen-json` - JSON serialization AOT readiness (includes polymorphic types)
2. `dotnet-source-gen-options-validation` - Options pattern AOT readiness
3. `dotnet-source-gen-regex` - Regex AOT readiness
4. `dotnet-source-gen-logging` - Logging AOT readiness

### Step 5: Configure AOT Settings

**If solution-wide:**

Check for `src/Directory.Build.props`, otherwise use solution root. Add/merge:
```xml
<Project>
  <PropertyGroup>
    <!-- Advisory flag for tooling/analyzers; does not make code AOT-compatible -->
    <IsAotCompatible>true</IsAotCompatible>
    <EnableTrimAnalyzer>true</EnableTrimAnalyzer>
    <EnableSingleFileAnalyzer>true</EnableSingleFileAnalyzer>
    <EnableAotAnalyzer>true</EnableAotAnalyzer>
  </PropertyGroup>
</Project>
```

**If project-specific:**

Add to each `.csproj`:
```xml
<PropertyGroup>
  <PublishAot>true</PublishAot>
</PropertyGroup>
```

### Step 6: ASP.NET Core Specific

For ASP.NET Core projects:
- Recommend `CreateSlimBuilder()` over `CreateBuilder()`
- **Enable Request Delegate Generator (RDG)** for Minimal APIs:
  ```xml
  <PropertyGroup>
    <EnableRequestDelegateGenerator>true</EnableRequestDelegateGenerator>
  </PropertyGroup>
  ```
- **System.Text.Json**: Handled by `dotnet-source-gen-json` skill
- Warn about HTTPS/HTTP3 if needed (not included in `CreateSlimBuilder`)
- Ask user if they want to see generated code. If so, add `<EmitCompilerGeneratedFiles>true</EmitCompilerGeneratedFiles>`

### Step 7: Verify

Run `dotnet build` and check for AOT warnings.

## Key Documentation Links

| Topic | URL |
|-------|-----|
| Native AOT Overview | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/deploying/native-aot |
| ASP.NET Core AOT | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/native-aot |
| Request Delegate Generator | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/core/fundamentals/aot/request-delegate-generator/rdg |
| AOT Limitations | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/deploying/native-aot/?tabs=windows#limitations-of-native-aot-deployment |
| Trimming Libraries | https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/core/deploying/trimming/prepare-libraries-for-trimming |

## Notes

- Requires .NET 8+
- ASP.NET Core: Use `CreateSlimBuilder()` for optimal size
- Minimal APIs: Enable Request Delegate Generator (RDG) for optimal AOT performance
- Eliminate runtime reflection from hot paths; use source generators where reflection would otherwise be required
- System.Text.Json: Register all types in `JsonSerializerContext`