PowerShell Cmdlet Development Guidelines

PowerShell Cmdlet Development Guidelines

This guide provides PowerShell-specific instructions to help GitHub Copilot generate idiomatic, safe, and maintainable scripts. It aligns with Microsoft’s PowerShell cmdlet development guidelines.

Naming Conventions

• Verb-Noun Format:

  • Use approved PowerShell verbs (Get-Verb)
  • Use singular nouns
  • PascalCase for both verb and noun
  • Avoid special characters and spaces

• Parameter Names:

  • Use PascalCase
  • Choose clear, descriptive names
  • Use singular form unless always multiple
  • Follow PowerShell standard names

• Variable Names:

  • Use PascalCase for public variables
  • Use camelCase for private variables
  • Avoid abbreviations
  • Use meaningful names

• Alias Avoidance:

  • Use full cmdlet names
  • Avoid using aliases in scripts (e.g., use Get-ChildItem instead of gci)
  • Document any custom aliases
  • Use full parameter names

Example

function Get-UserProfile {
    [CmdletBinding()]
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
        [string]$Username,

        [Parameter()]
        [ValidateSet('Basic', 'Detailed')]
        [string]$ProfileType = 'Basic'
    )

    process {
        # Logic here
    }
}

Parameter Design

• Standard Parameters:

  • Use common parameter names (Path, Name, Force)
  • Follow built-in cmdlet conventions
  • Use aliases for specialized terms
  • Document parameter purpose

• Parameter Names:

  • Use singular form unless always multiple
  • Choose clear, descriptive names
  • Follow PowerShell conventions
  • Use PascalCase formatting

• Type Selection:

  • Use common .NET types
  • Implement proper validation
  • Consider ValidateSet for limited options
  • Enable tab completion where possible

• Switch Parameters:

  • Use [switch] for boolean flags
  • Avoid $true/$false parameters
  • Default to $false when omitted
  • Use clear action names

Example

function Set-ResourceConfiguration {
    [CmdletBinding()]
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
        [string]$Name,

        [Parameter()]
        [ValidateSet('Dev', 'Test', 'Prod')]
        [string]$Environment = 'Dev',

        [Parameter()]
        [switch]$Force,

        [Parameter()]
        [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
        [string[]]$Tags
    )

    process {
        # Logic here
    }
}

Pipeline and Output

• Pipeline Input:

  • Use ValueFromPipeline for direct object input
  • Use ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName for property mapping
  • Implement Begin/Process/End blocks for pipeline handling
  • Document pipeline input requirements

• Output Objects:

  • Return rich objects, not formatted text
  • Use PSCustomObject for structured data
  • Avoid Write-Host for data output
  • Enable downstream cmdlet processing

• Pipeline Streaming:

  • Output one object at a time
  • Use process block for streaming
  • Avoid collecting large arrays
  • Enable immediate processing

• PassThru Pattern:

  • Default to no output for action cmdlets
  • Implement -PassThru switch for object return
  • Return modified/created object with -PassThru
  • Use verbose/warning for status updates

Example

function Update-ResourceStatus {
    [CmdletBinding()]
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipeline, ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName)]
        [string]$Name,

        [Parameter(Mandatory)]
        [ValidateSet('Active', 'Inactive', 'Maintenance')]
        [string]$Status,

        [Parameter()]
        [switch]$PassThru
    )

    begin {
        Write-Verbose 'Starting resource status update process'
        $timestamp = Get-Date
    }

    process {
        # Process each resource individually
        Write-Verbose "Processing resource: $Name"

        $resource = [PSCustomObject]@{
            Name        = $Name
            Status      = $Status
            LastUpdated = $timestamp
            UpdatedBy   = $env:USERNAME
        }

        # Only output if PassThru is specified
        if ($PassThru.IsPresent) {
            Write-Output $resource
        }
    }

    end {
        Write-Verbose 'Resource status update process completed'
    }
}

Error Handling and Safety

• ShouldProcess Implementation:

  • Use [CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess = $true)]
  • Set appropriate ConfirmImpact level
  • Call $PSCmdlet.ShouldProcess() for system changes
  • Use ShouldContinue() for additional confirmations

• Message Streams:

  • Write-Verbose for operational details with -Verbose
  • Write-Warning for warning conditions
  • Write-Error for non-terminating errors
  • throw for terminating errors
  • Avoid Write-Host except for user interface text

• Error Handling Pattern:

  • Use try/catch blocks for error management
  • Set appropriate ErrorAction preferences
  • Return meaningful error messages
  • Use ErrorVariable when needed
  • Include proper terminating vs non-terminating error handling
  • In advanced functions with [CmdletBinding()], prefer $PSCmdlet.WriteError() over Write-Error
  • In advanced functions with [CmdletBinding()], prefer $PSCmdlet.ThrowTerminatingError() over throw
  • Construct proper ErrorRecord objects with category, target, and exception details

• Non-Interactive Design:

  • Accept input via parameters
  • Avoid Read-Host in scripts
  • Support automation scenarios
  • Document all required inputs

Example

function Remove-UserAccount {
    [CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess = $true, ConfirmImpact = 'High')]
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory, ValueFromPipeline)]
        [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
        [string]$Username,

        [Parameter()]
        [switch]$Force
    )

    begin {
        Write-Verbose 'Starting user account removal process'
        $ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
    }

    process {
        try {
            # Validation
            if (-not (Test-UserExists -Username $Username)) {
                $errorRecord = [System.Management.Automation.ErrorRecord]::new(
                    [System.Exception]::new("User account '$Username' not found"),
                    'UserNotFound',
                    [System.Management.Automation.ErrorCategory]::ObjectNotFound,
                    $Username
                )
                $PSCmdlet.WriteError($errorRecord)
                return
            }

            # Confirmation
            $shouldProcessMessage = "Remove user account '$Username'"
            if ($Force -or $PSCmdlet.ShouldProcess($Username, $shouldProcessMessage)) {
                Write-Verbose "Removing user account: $Username"

                # Main operation
                Remove-ADUser -Identity $Username -ErrorAction Stop
                Write-Warning "User account '$Username' has been removed"
            }
        } catch [Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management.ADException] {
            $errorRecord = [System.Management.Automation.ErrorRecord]::new(
                $_.Exception,
                'ActiveDirectoryError',
                [System.Management.Automation.ErrorCategory]::NotSpecified,
                $Username
            )
            $PSCmdlet.ThrowTerminatingError($errorRecord)
        } catch {
            $errorRecord = [System.Management.Automation.ErrorRecord]::new(
                $_.Exception,
                'UnexpectedError',
                [System.Management.Automation.ErrorCategory]::NotSpecified,
                $Username
            )
            $PSCmdlet.ThrowTerminatingError($errorRecord)
        }
    }

    end {
        Write-Verbose 'User account removal process completed'
    }
}

Documentation and Style

• Comment-Based Help: Include comment-based help for any public-facing function or cmdlet. Inside the function, add a <# ... #> help comment with at least:

  • .SYNOPSIS Brief description
  • .DESCRIPTION Detailed explanation
  • .EXAMPLE sections with practical usage
  • .PARAMETER descriptions
  • .OUTPUTS Type of output returned
  • .NOTES Additional information

• Consistent Formatting:

  • Follow consistent PowerShell style
  • Use proper indentation (4 spaces recommended)
  • Opening braces on same line as statement
  • Closing braces on new line
  • Use line breaks after pipeline operators
  • PascalCase for function and parameter names
  • Avoid unnecessary whitespace

• Pipeline Support:

  • Implement Begin/Process/End blocks for pipeline functions
  • Use ValueFromPipeline where appropriate
  • Support pipeline input by property name
  • Return proper objects, not formatted text

• Avoid Aliases: Use full cmdlet names and parameters

  • Avoid using aliases in scripts (e.g., use Get-ChildItem instead of gci); aliases are acceptable for interactive shell use.
  • Use Where-Object instead of ? or where
  • Use ForEach-Object instead of %
  • Use Get-ChildItem instead of ls or dir

Full Example: End-to-End Cmdlet Pattern

function New-Resource {
    [CmdletBinding(SupportsShouldProcess = $true, ConfirmImpact = 'Medium')]
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true,
            ValueFromPipeline = $true,
            ValueFromPipelineByPropertyName = $true)]
        [ValidateNotNullOrEmpty()]
        [string]$Name,

        [Parameter()]
        [ValidateSet('Development', 'Production')]
        [string]$Environment = 'Development'
    )

    begin {
        Write-Verbose 'Starting resource creation process'
    }

    process {
        try {
            if ($PSCmdlet.ShouldProcess($Name, 'Create new resource')) {
                # Resource creation logic here
                Write-Output ([PSCustomObject]@{
                        Name        = $Name
                        Environment = $Environment
                        Created     = Get-Date
                    })
            }
        } catch {
            $errorRecord = [System.Management.Automation.ErrorRecord]::new(
                $_.Exception,
                'ResourceCreationFailed',
                [System.Management.Automation.ErrorCategory]::NotSpecified,
                $Name
            )
            $PSCmdlet.ThrowTerminatingError($errorRecord)
        }
    }

    end {
        Write-Verbose 'Completed resource creation process'
    }
}