microsoft / microsoft/WinAppVSCE
XAML Language Server: Basic C++/WinRT project support (syntactic features)
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- Dominant language
- TypeScript
- Stars
- 13
- Forks
- 4
- Avg merge
- 6d 1h
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 11
Description
Summary
The XAML language server currently only discovers .csproj files and relies entirely on Roslyn for type resolution, making it non-functional for C++/WinRT WinUI projects. Even Visual Studio's XAML IntelliSense has limited C++ support, so full parity isn't the goal — but we should provide syntactic features and a good UX for C++ developers.
Short-term wins (target: PR #50)
1. Detect .vcxproj alongside .csproj in project discovery
XamlProjectResolver.FindOwningProject() hardcodes *.csproj. Add *.vcxproj so C++ WinUI projects are at least recognized.
2. Graceful degradation when Roslyn can't load the project
When project discovery finds a .vcxproj, skip Roslyn loading and return a partial XamlResolution with classSymbol = null. Most features already handle null gracefully — verify they do and fix any that don't.
3. Syntactic features should work for C++ projects
These require no type system and should work automatically once project detection doesn't block:
- Formatting (document + range)
- Folding ranges
- Color swatches (hex values)
- Selection range expansion
- x:Name / x:Key hover, rename, references
- Document symbols
- Linked editing (tag pair sync)
- Syntax highlighting (TextMate grammar — already works)
4. Notification for reduced IntelliSense
When a C++/WinRT project is detected, show a one-time informational message explaining that type-aware features (completion, diagnostics, go-to-definition for types) are limited for C++ projects.
What won't work (expected)
- Element/property type completion (requires type system)
- Semantic diagnostics (unknown type, unknown property, etc.)
- x:Bind path resolution
- Event handler go-to-definition
- Code actions (quick fixes)
These are tracked in #222 for WinMD-based type resolution (two approach options documented there).
Research context
- No third-party VS Code extensions provide C++ WinUI XAML IntelliSense — we'd be the first
- Even Visual Studio's C++ XAML support is limited — relies on build-time
.winmd+ XamlCompiler output, not live analysis - C++/WinRT is a smaller fraction of WinUI developers, so pragmatic degradation is acceptable
- The C++/WinRT build chain:
.idl→ MIDLRT →.winmd→ XAML compiler reads.winmdfor type resolution
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with XamlProjectResolver.FindOwningProject() and trace how discovered projects flow into Roslyn loading and XamlResolution. Verify which syntactic features already tolerate classSymbol = null, then check the existing notification path for reduced IntelliSense. Done means .vcxproj projects are recognized, unsupported type-aware features degrade without errors, and the listed syntactic features remain available.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- cpp, typescript
- Domain
- developer-experience, tooling
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 55/100