Wpf UI Shell

Wpf Ui Shell

Overview

Define the primary shell window, shared resources, and navigation contract for a WPF widget host app.

Constraints

• Target .NET 8
• CommunityToolkit.Mvvm
• ViewModel-first navigation via a custom service
• No Prism, no Frame navigation, no heavy region manager
• Fluent-inspired design system using native WPF styles
• Light/Dark themes via ResourceDictionaries with runtime switching
• Single shell window as primary host; secondary windows for widgets/tools/dialogs

Definition of done (DoD)

• Shell uses ContentControl host (not Frame) for navigation
• Navigation service updates CurrentViewModel, views resolve via DataTemplate
• Theme switching works at runtime without restart
• Secondary windows inherit shared resources
• Tray icon provides app access when shell is hidden

Workflow

1. Locate shell files: App.xaml, shell window XAML/code-behind, and theme dictionaries.
2. Confirm the shell layout uses a ContentControl host (not Frame).
3. Define or update the navigation service and VM-to-view mapping.
4. Centralize shared styles in merged dictionaries and keep view XAML lean.
5. Add runtime theme switching by swapping merged dictionaries.
6. Ensure secondary windows inherit the same resources and chrome rules.

Shell layout pattern

Use a minimal, durable layout with explicit regions and a content host:

<Grid>
  <Grid.RowDefinitions>
    <RowDefinition Height="Auto" />
    <RowDefinition Height="*" />
  </Grid.RowDefinitions>

  <DockPanel Grid.Row="0">
    <!-- Title bar / nav -->
  </DockPanel>

  <ContentControl Grid.Row="1"
                  Content="{Binding CurrentViewModel}" />
</Grid>

ViewModel-first navigation

Map view models to views using DataTemplates in App.xaml (or a merged dictionary). The navigation service updates CurrentViewModel on the shell VM.

<DataTemplate DataType="{x:Type vm:HomeViewModel}">
  <views:HomeView />
</DataTemplate>

Resource dictionaries and themes

• Keep colors, brushes, typography, and control styles in merged dictionaries.
• Split themes into Themes/Light.xaml and Themes/Dark.xaml.
• Switch themes by replacing the theme dictionary at runtime.

References

• references/shell-layouts.md for layout variants (title bar, nav, content host).
• references/navigation-service.md for VM-first navigation patterns.
• references/theme-switching.md for dictionary swap details.
• references/design-system.md for Fluent-inspired style guidance.