{"slug":"template-instantiation","title":"template-instantiation","summary":"Creates .NET projects from templates with validated parameters, smart defaults, Central Package Management adaptation, and latest NuGet version resolution. USE FOR: creating new dotnet projects, scaffolding solutions with multiple projects, installing or uninstalling template pac","platform":"Claude","tags":[],"authorName":"LLM Mart","authorSlug":"llm-mart","score":0,"source":"github","price":null,"verified":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-24T05:37:31.500982Z","repo":{"url":"https://github.com/dotnet/skills","stars":5471,"forks":418,"license":"MIT","updatedAt":"2026-09-24T06:38:55Z"},"bodyHtml":"
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name: template-instantiation\ndescription: >\nCreates .NET projects from templates with validated parameters, smart defaults,\nCentral Package Management adaptation, and latest NuGet version resolution.\nUSE FOR: creating new dotnet projects, scaffolding solutions with multiple projects,\ninstalling or uninstalling template packages, creating projects that respect\nDirectory.Packages.props (CPM), composing multi-project solutions (API + tests + library),\ngetting latest NuGet package versions in newly created projects.\nDO NOT USE FOR: finding templates (use template-discovery), producing a detailed\nside-by-side comparison of templates (use template-comparison), authoring custom\ntemplates (use template-authoring), deciding\ncross-parameter defaults such as which framework to pair with native AOT or whether to\nkeep HTTPS when auth is enabled (use template-smart-defaults), modifying existing\nprojects or adding NuGet packages to existing projects.\nlicense: MIT

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Template Instantiation

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This skill creates .NET projects from templates using dotnet new CLI commands, with guidance for parameter validation, Central Package Management adaptation, and multi-project composition.

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Match the workspace, then stop. The highest-value move is aligning the new project with the repo it lands in: detect CPM (Directory.Packages.props) and the target framework used by neighbouring .csproj files, and mirror both. Treat the discovered target framework as an explicit choice — pass it as --framework so template-smart-defaults won't override it; deviate only when it's incompatible with a requested feature (then flag the conflict). Do this in as few steps as possible — a --dry-run, the create, and one dotnet build to confirm is usually enough. Extra exploratory turns add cost without improving the result.

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When to Use

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When Not to Use

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Inputs

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InputRequiredDescription
Template name or intentYesTemplate short name (e.g., webapi) or natural-language description
Project nameYesName for the created project
Output pathRecommendedDirectory where the project should be created
ParametersNoTemplate-specific parameters (e.g., --framework, --auth, --aot)
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Workflow

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Step 1: Resolve template and parameters

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If the user provides a natural-language description, map it to a template short name (see the keyword table in the template-discovery skill). If they provide a template name, proceed directly.

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Use dotnet new <template> --help to review available parameters, defaults, and types for any parameters the user did not specify.

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When a parameter the user chose implies a value for an unset related parameter, invoke the template-smart-defaults skill to resolve the gap before assembling the command line — e.g., native AOT implies a recent AOT-capable target framework, a non-None --auth choice means HTTPS must stay enabled (don't add --no-https), and --use-controllers excludes the minimal-API option. Smart defaults only fill gaps; never let them override a value the user set explicitly. The workspace framework discovered in Step 2 counts as such an explicit value — pass it to smart-defaults as the chosen --framework so it isn't treated as an unset gap; deviate only if it is incompatible with the requested feature/template (then surface the conflict to the user).

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Step 2: Analyze the workspace

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Check the existing solution structure before creating:

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This ensures the new project is consistent with the workspace.

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Step 3: Preview the creation

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Use dotnet new <template> --dry-run to show the user what files would be created. Confirm before proceeding.

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dotnet new webapi --name MyApi --framework net10.0 --dry-run\n
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Step 4: Create the project

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Use dotnet new with the template name and all parameters:

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dotnet new webapi --name MyApi --output ./src/MyApi --framework net10.0 --auth Individual\n
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Common parameter combinations

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TemplateParametersExample
webapi--auth (None, Individual, SingleOrg, Windows), --aot (native AOT)dotnet new webapi -n MyApi --auth Individual --aot
webapi--use-controllers (use controllers vs minimal APIs)dotnet new webapi -n MyApi --use-controllers
blazor--interactivity (None, Server, WebAssembly, Auto), --authdotnet new blazor -n MyApp --interactivity Server
grpc--aot (native AOT)dotnet new grpc -n MyService --aot
worker--aot (native AOT)dotnet new worker -n MyWorker --aot
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Note: Use dotnet new <template> --help to see all available parameters for any template.

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After creation, adapt the project to Central Package Management and refresh stale versions:

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  1. Detect CPM — walk up the directory tree from the new project looking for a Directory.Packages.props.
    2. \n
  2. Strip inline versions — if found, for each <PackageReference Include=\"X\" Version=\"Y\" /> the template generated, remove the Version attribute from the .csproj (leaving <PackageReference Include=\"X\" />).
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  3. Centralize the version — add or merge a <PackageVersion Include=\"X\" Version=\"Y\" /> entry in Directory.Packages.props.
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  4. Optionally refresh stale template-default versions — templates often hardcode old versions. Keep the template's versions by default (safest for reproducibility and controlled upgrades). Only refresh when the user asks, and when you do:\n\n
    5. \n
  5. Build — run dotnet build to confirm the centralized/refreshed versions resolve.
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Step 5: Multi-project composition (optional)

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For complex structures, create each project sequentially and wire them together:

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dotnet new webapi --name MyApi --output ./src/MyApi\ndotnet new xunit --name MyApi.Tests --output ./tests/MyApi.Tests\ndotnet add ./tests/MyApi.Tests reference ./src/MyApi\ndotnet sln add ./src/MyApi ./tests/MyApi.Tests\n
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Step 6: Template package management

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Install or uninstall template packages:

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dotnet new install Microsoft.DotNet.Web.ProjectTemplates.10.0\ndotnet new uninstall Microsoft.DotNet.Web.ProjectTemplates.10.0\n
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Step 7: Post-creation verification

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  1. Verify the project builds: dotnet build
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  2. If added to a solution, verify dotnet build at the solution level
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  3. If CPM was adapted, verify Directory.Packages.props has the new entries
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Validation

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Common Pitfalls

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PitfallSolution
Not checking for CPM before creating a projectIf Directory.Packages.props exists, dotnet new creates projects with inline versions that conflict. After creation, move versions to Directory.Packages.props and remove them from .csproj.
Creating projects without specifying the frameworkAlways specify --framework when the template supports multiple TFMs to avoid defaulting to an older version.
Not adding the project to the solutionAfter creation, run dotnet sln add to include the project in the solution.
Not verifying the project buildsAlways run dotnet build after creation to catch missing dependencies or parameter issues early.
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More Info

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