# Publishing Wpf Apps

> Guides WPF application publishing and installer options. Use when user mentions publish, deploy, release, packaging, or installer to help choose deployment method and installer technology. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/publishing-wpf-apps` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/publishing-wpf-apps`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/publishing-wpf-apps/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: DevOps & Infra
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/publishing-wpf-apps

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# WPF Application Publishing Guide

When publishing WPF applications, ask the user about deployment and installer preferences.

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## Ask User: Deployment Method

> **Which deployment method do you need?**
> 1. **Framework-Dependent** - Small size (~1MB), requires .NET runtime
> 2. **Self-Contained** - Includes runtime (150-200MB), no dependencies
> 3. **Single-File** - One executable (50-80MB compressed)

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## Ask User: Installer Technology

> **Which installer/update technology do you prefer?**
> 1. **Velopack** (Recommended) - Modern, fast updates, delta updates
> 2. **MSIX** - Windows Store, enterprise deployment
> 3. **NSIS** - Traditional installer, full control
> 4. **Inno Setup** - Simple, widely used
> 5. **None** - Portable/xcopy deployment

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## Quick Reference

### Deployment Methods

| Method | Size | Startup | Requirements |
|--------|------|---------|--------------|
| Framework-Dependent | ~1MB | Fast | .NET runtime |
| Self-Contained | 150-200MB | Fast | None |
| Single-File | 150-200MB | Medium | None |
| Single-File + Compressed | 50-80MB | Slower | None |

### Installer Technologies

| Technology | Auto-Update | Delta Updates | Store | Complexity |
|------------|-------------|---------------|-------|------------|
| Velopack | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Low |
| MSIX | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Medium |
| NSIS | Manual | ❌ | ❌ | High |
| Inno Setup | Manual | ❌ | ❌ | Medium |

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## WPF Limitations

⚠️ **PublishTrimmed**: Not supported (reflection-heavy)
⚠️ **PublishAot**: Not supported (WPF incompatible)

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## Basic Commands

```bash
# Framework-Dependent
dotnet publish -c Release

# Self-Contained
dotnet publish -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true

# Single-File (WPF)
dotnet publish -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true \
  -p:PublishSingleFile=true \
  -p:IncludeNativeLibrariesForSelfExtract=true
```

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## Additional Resources

- **WPF Single-File**: See [WPF-SINGLE-FILE.md](WPF-SINGLE-FILE.md)
- **Size Optimization**: See [SIZE-OPTIMIZATION.md](SIZE-OPTIMIZATION.md)
- **Installer Options**: See [INSTALLERS.md](INSTALLERS.md)

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<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-11 -->