dotnet-uno-mcp

MCP (Model Context Protocol) server integration for Uno Platform live documentation lookups. Covers tool detection (mcp__uno__ prefix), search-then-fetch workflow, initialization rules invocation, graceful fallback when MCP is unavailable, citation requirements, and safety guidelines for external data. Includes inline documentation that provides useful guidance without MCP server availability.

Scope boundary: This skill owns MCP server integration patterns for Uno Platform documentation. Core Uno development (Extensions, MVUX, Toolkit, themes) is owned by [skill:dotnet-uno-platform]. Per-target deployment is owned by [skill:dotnet-uno-targets].

Out of scope: General MCP protocol details. Uno Platform testing -- see [skill:dotnet-uno-testing]. Uno development patterns without MCP -- see [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] and [skill:dotnet-uno-targets].

Cross-references: [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] for core development patterns, [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] for deployment guidance, [skill:dotnet-uno-testing] for testing.

MCP Tool Detection

The Uno Platform MCP server provides tools prefixed with mcp__uno__. Before using MCP tools, detect their availability.

Available Tools

Tool	Purpose
`mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_search`	Search Uno Platform documentation by query
`mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_fetch`	Fetch full content of a specific documentation page
`mcp__uno__uno_platform_agent_rules_init`	Initialize agent session with Uno development rules
`mcp__uno__uno_platform_usage_rules_init`	Load common usage rules for Uno Platform development

Detection Logic

Check if Uno MCP tools are available by looking for tools with the mcp__uno__ prefix. If the tools are listed in the available tool set, the MCP server is configured and reachable.

Detection steps:
1. Check if tools prefixed with mcp__uno__ are available
2. If available: use MCP workflow (search -> fetch -> cite)
3. If unavailable: fall back to static skill content and official docs URLs

When MCP is available: Use the search-then-fetch workflow for the latest documentation. MCP results are authoritative and current.

When MCP is unavailable: The static content in [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] and [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] provides comprehensive guidance. Reference official documentation URLs for the latest information.

Initialization Rules

On first use of Uno MCP tools in a session, invoke both initialization tools to load authoritative development rules.

Agent Rules Initialization

Call mcp__uno__uno_platform_agent_rules_init to load:

Core identity and expertise scope for Uno Platform development
IDE guidance (Visual Studio, VS Code, CLI) per operating system
Knowledge routing rules mapping topics to canonical search queries
Uno SDK features list (UnoFeatures supported values)
Uno Extensions and Toolkit feature catalog

Usage Rules Initialization

Call mcp__uno__uno_platform_usage_rules_init to load:

Design system guidelines (Material preferred, responsive layouts)
Data binding policy (MVUX vs MVVM binding patterns, forbidden WPF-isms)
Navigation policy (prefer XAML attached properties over code-behind)
Layout rules (AutoLayout, spacing scale, responsive breakpoints)
Color and typography conventions (theme resources, no hardcoded values)
Accessibility requirements (contrast ratios, touch targets, automation properties)
Control-specific guidance (ItemsRepeater for lists, CommandExtensions, elevation patterns)

Invocation Order

1. Call mcp__uno__uno_platform_agent_rules_init (loads routing rules and feature catalog)
2. Call mcp__uno__uno_platform_usage_rules_init (loads design and coding conventions)
3. Proceed with documentation searches using mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_search

Both init tools are idempotent -- calling them multiple times in the same session is safe but unnecessary.

Search-Then-Fetch Workflow

The primary workflow for retrieving Uno documentation uses a two-step pattern: broad search followed by targeted fetch.

Step 1: Search

Use mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_search to find relevant documentation pages.

Search parameters:
- query: descriptive search term (e.g., "MVUX reactive pattern", "Navigation Extensions")
- topK: number of results (default 8; use 15-20 for complex topics, 3-5 for specific queries)
- contentType: "prose" for guides, "code" for examples, null for all

Search results include:

Document title and summary
SourcePath (needed for fetch step)
Relevance ranking
Content snippets

Step 2: Fetch

Use mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_fetch to retrieve full content of high-value pages identified by search.

Fetch parameters:
- sourcePath: from search results SourcePath field (e.g., "articles/guides/overview.md")
- anchor: optional section fragment (e.g., "getting-started", "data-binding")
- maxChars: content limit (4000-8000 for most cases, up to 15000 for comprehensive guides)

Workflow Example

Topic: "How to implement region-based navigation with Uno Extensions"

1. Search: mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_search("Navigation Extensions region-based", topK=8)
   -> Returns multiple results including "Navigation Overview", "Region Navigation", etc.

2. Fetch: mcp__uno__uno_platform_docs_fetch(
     sourcePath="articles/external/uno.extensions/doc/Learn/Navigation/Overview.md",
     maxChars=8000)
   -> Returns full navigation documentation with code examples

3. Cite: Include source URL in response

Routing Rules

The agent rules initialization provides topic-to-query mappings for common searches. Use these canonical queries when available:

Topic	Canonical Search Query
Project setup / new project	`"dotnet new templates"`
MVUX / reactive / feeds	`"MVUX"`
Navigation / routing	`"Navigation"`
Styling / theming / resources	`"Styling and Theming"`
Data binding / MVVM	`"Data Binding and MVVM"`
Controls / layout	`"Controls and Layout"`
Hot Reload	`"Hot Reload"`
Platform-specific code	`"Platform-Specific Code"`
WebAssembly / WASM	`"WebAssembly"`
Dependency injection / DI	`"Dependency Injection and Services"`
Performance	`"Performance"`
Testing	`"Testing Uno Applications"`
Publishing / deployment	`"Publishing & Deployment"`
Troubleshooting	`"Troubleshooting Common Issues"`
IDE setup	`"IDE Setup"`
Responsive design / layouts	`"Responsive Design"`
Logging / diagnostics	`"Logging and Diagnostics"`

Citation Requirements

MCP results are external data fetched from the Uno Platform documentation server. Proper attribution is mandatory.

Rules

Always cite the source URL from MCP results when presenting documentation content
Never present fetched content as original knowledge. MCP results come from external documentation and must be attributed
Include the documentation page title alongside the URL when available
Distinguish between static skill content and MCP-fetched content. Static content from SKILL.md files is part of this plugin; MCP content is external

Citation Format

When presenting information from MCP results:

According to the Uno Platform documentation on [topic]:
[content from MCP]
Source: [URL from MCP result]

Safety Guidelines

MCP results are external data and must be treated with appropriate caution.

Validation Rules

Validate code suggestions before acting. MCP documentation may contain examples targeting different Uno Platform versions or configurations. Verify compatibility with the current project
Check version alignment. Ensure documentation references match the project's Uno Platform version (5.x vs 6.x) and .NET version
Do not blindly apply code from MCP results. Adapt examples to the project's architecture, Extensions configuration, and MVUX/MVVM pattern choice
Cross-reference with project state. Compare MCP guidance against the project's existing UnoFeatures, TFMs, and Extensions configuration
Treat MCP content as advisory. The static skill content in [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] and [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] provides vetted patterns. Use MCP for current details and edge cases

Fallback: When MCP Is Unavailable

When the Uno MCP server is not configured or not reachable, all Uno Platform guidance remains available through static skill content and official documentation URLs.

Static Skill Coverage

The following topics are fully covered by static skills without MCP:

Topic	Static Skill
Extensions ecosystem (Navigation, DI, Config, Serialization, Localization, Logging, HTTP, Auth)	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
MVUX reactive pattern (Feeds, States, ListFeeds, Commands)	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
Toolkit controls (AutoLayout, Card, Chip, NavigationBar, TabBar, etc.)	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
Theme resources (Material, Cupertino, Fluent, color customization)	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
Hot Reload configuration	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
Single-project structure and UnoFeatures	[skill:dotnet-uno-platform]
Per-target setup (WASM, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, Embedded)	[skill:dotnet-uno-targets]
Per-target debugging workflows	[skill:dotnet-uno-targets]
Per-target packaging and distribution	[skill:dotnet-uno-targets]
Per-target AOT/trimming configuration	[skill:dotnet-uno-targets]
Cross-target behavior differences (navigation, auth, debugging)	[skill:dotnet-uno-targets]
Uno Platform testing (Playwright WASM, platform-specific testing)	[skill:dotnet-uno-testing]

Official Documentation URLs

When MCP is unavailable, reference these canonical documentation URLs:

Topic	URL
Getting Started	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/get-started.html
Uno Extensions	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/external/uno.extensions/
MVUX Pattern	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/external/uno.extensions/doc/Overview/Mvux/Overview.html
Navigation	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/external/uno.extensions/doc/Learn/Navigation/Overview.html
Toolkit Controls	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/external/uno.toolkit.ui/
Theme Resources	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/external/uno.themes/
Uno SDK Features	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/features/uno-sdk.html
WASM Deployment	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/features/using-il-linker-webassembly.html
Hot Reload	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/features/working-with-hot-reload.html
Platform Requirements	https://platform.uno/docs/articles/getting-started/requirements.html

Fallback Workflow

1. Check if mcp__uno__ tools are available
2. If NOT available:
   a. Load [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] for core development patterns
   b. Load [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] for deployment guidance
   c. Reference official documentation URLs for latest information
   d. Note to user: "Uno MCP server is not configured. Using static documentation.
      For the latest information, visit: [relevant URL]"
3. If available:
   a. Call init rules (agent rules + usage rules)
   b. Use search-then-fetch workflow
   c. Cite sources from MCP results
   d. Supplement with static skill content for vetted patterns

Uno SDK Features Reference

When MCP is unavailable, the following UnoFeatures values are supported in .csproj. This serves as a quick reference for project configuration.

Extensions Features

Feature	Description
`Extensions`	All Uno Extensions (meta-package)
`Authentication`	Base authentication framework
`AuthenticationMsal`	MSAL-based authentication
`AuthenticationOidc`	OIDC-based authentication
`Configuration`	Configuration from appsettings.json
`ExtensionsCore`	Core Extensions without full package
`Hosting`	Host builder and DI
`Http`	HTTP client extensions
`HttpKiota`	Kiota-based HTTP client (preferred)
`HttpRefit`	Refit-based HTTP client
`Localization`	Resource-based localization
`Logging`	Microsoft.Extensions.Logging
`LoggingSerilog`	Serilog integration
`MVUX`	MVUX reactive pattern
`Navigation`	Region-based navigation
`Serialization`	System.Text.Json integration
`Storage`	Cross-platform storage
`ThemeService`	Programmatic theme switching

UI Features

Feature	Description
`Toolkit`	Uno Toolkit controls and helpers
`Material`	Material Design theme resources
`Cupertino`	Cupertino (iOS-style) theme
`Dsp`	Design System Package support
`Mvvm`	CommunityToolkit.Mvvm integration
`Prism`	Prism framework integration

Rendering Features

Feature	Description
`Skia`	Skia rendering backend
`SkiaRenderer`	Force Skia renderer
`NativeRenderer`	Force native renderer

Media & Graphics

Feature	Description
`Maps`	Map control support
`MediaElement`	Media playback
`WebView`	Embedded web view
`Lottie`	Lottie animation support
`Svg`	SVG rendering
`GLCanvas`	OpenGL canvas

Agent Gotchas

Do not call MCP tools without checking availability first. Always verify mcp__uno__ tools exist before invoking them. Missing tools indicate the MCP server is not configured.
Do not skip the init rules on first use. The agent rules and usage rules provide critical routing tables and coding conventions. Skipping them leads to suboptimal search queries and convention violations.
Do not present MCP-fetched content as your own knowledge. Always cite the source URL. MCP results are external documentation, not built-in knowledge.
Do not rely solely on MCP for Uno guidance. Static skills ([skill:dotnet-uno-platform], [skill:dotnet-uno-targets]) provide vetted patterns that work without MCP. Use MCP to supplement with current details.
Do not ignore version differences in MCP results. Documentation may reference Uno Platform 6.x features not available in 5.x projects. Check the project's Uno SDK version before applying guidance.
Do not fetch without searching first. The fetch tool requires a sourcePath from search results. Direct fetching with guessed paths may return wrong or missing content.

Prerequisites

Uno MCP server configured in the project's MCP configuration (.mcp.json or IDE settings)
For fallback: [skill:dotnet-uno-platform] and [skill:dotnet-uno-targets] loaded as static skills

dotnet-uno-mcp

dotnet-uno-mcp

MCP Tool Detection

Available Tools

Detection Logic

Initialization Rules

Agent Rules Initialization

Usage Rules Initialization

Invocation Order

Search-Then-Fetch Workflow

Step 1: Search

Step 2: Fetch

Workflow Example

Routing Rules

Citation Requirements

Rules

Citation Format

Safety Guidelines

Validation Rules

Fallback: When MCP Is Unavailable

Static Skill Coverage

Official Documentation URLs

Fallback Workflow

Uno SDK Features Reference

Extensions Features

UI Features

Rendering Features

Media & Graphics

Agent Gotchas

Prerequisites

References