Dotnet Advisor

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-microsoft-agent-framework] -- Microsoft Agent Framework: agents, workflows, tools, MCP servers, multi-agent orchestration
• [skill:microsoft-learn-mcp] -- Microsoft Learn documentation via MCP
• [skill:github] -- GitHub operations: repos, PRs, issues, Actions via MCP
• [skill:mcp-health] -- Validate MCP server connectivity and health status
• [skill:mcp-discovery] -- Discover and catalog available MCP servers from registries

21. Intelligence & Recommendations implemented

• [skill:dotnet-agent-harness-recommender] -- AI-powered skill recommendations

Commands:

• /dotnet-agent-harness:search -- Semantic skill search (see commands/)

22. Skill Management implemented

• [skill:dotnet-agent-harness-manifest] -- Skill manifest management: dependencies, conflicts, version resolution

23. Serena MCP Integration implemented

• [skill:dotnet-serena-code-navigation] -- Efficient code navigation using symbol operations
• [skill:dotnet-serena-refactoring] -- Symbol-level refactoring with automatic reference updates
• [skill:dotnet-serena-analysis-patterns] -- Architecture validation and pattern detection

MCP-Aware Routing

The dotnet-agent-harness supports multiple MCP servers for enhanced functionality. Always check MCP availability before routing and prefer MCPs over traditional tools when available.

MCP Server Priority

Code Navigation (Serena MCP)

Primary approach: Use Serena symbol operations for efficient code navigation:

1. Find definitions: serena_find_symbol instead of text search
2. Understand structure: serena_get_symbols_overview for file organization
3. Track references: serena_find_referencing_symbols for impact analysis
4. Precise edits: serena_replace_symbol_body for clean modifications

When to use Serena vs traditional tools:

• ✅ Use Serena: Navigation, refactoring, dependency analysis, precise edits
• ✅ Use Read/Grep: Reading full files, pattern matching, simple text operations
• ✅ Fallback: If Serena unavailable, traditional tools work fine

Example workflow:

# Instead of:
Read: src/Services/OrderService.cs
Grep: "public void ProcessOrder"

# Use:
serena_find_symbol: "OrderService/ProcessOrder"
serena_get_symbols_overview: "src/Services/OrderService.cs"

Documentation Queries (MicrosoftDocs MCP)

Primary approach: Query official Microsoft documentation before web search:

1. Search docs: microsoftdocs-mcp_microsoft_docs_search for API queries
2. Code samples: microsoftdocs-mcp_microsoft_code_sample_search for examples
3. Full articles: microsoftdocs-mcp_microsoft_docs_fetch for deep reading

When to use MicrosoftDocs MCP:

• ✅ Before implementing Microsoft APIs
• ✅ For authoritative TFM/version compatibility
• ✅ Security and compliance guidance
• ✅ Breaking changes and migration paths

Example workflow:

# Instead of web search:
Search: "ASP.NET Core 9 minimal API rate limiting"

# Use:
microsoftdocs-mcp_microsoft_docs_search: "ASP.NET Core rate limiting minimal API"

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

• Microsoft Agent Framework, AI agents, workflows, tools -> [skill:dotnet-microsoft-agent-framework]

Specialist Agent Routing

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

• Async/await performance, ValueTask, ConfigureAwait, IO.Pipelines -> [subagent:dotnet-async-performance-specialist]
• ASP.NET Core middleware, request pipeline, DI lifetimes, diagnostic scenarios -> [subagent:dotnet-aspnetcore-specialist]
• Test architecture, test type selection, test data management, microservice testing -> [subagent:dotnet-testing-specialist]
• Cloud deployment, .NET Aspire, AKS, CI/CD pipelines, distributed tracing -> [subagent:dotnet-cloud-specialist]
• Microsoft Agent Framework: agent design, workflow orchestration, multi-agent patterns, tool integration -> [subagent:dotnet-microsoft-agent-framework-specialist]
• General code review (correctness, performance, security, architecture) -> [subagent:dotnet-code-review-agent]