maui-ai-tool-bindings

MAUI AI Tool Bindings

Use this skill when a MAUI app needs AI-callable tools backed by app services, view models, or static utility methods. Microsoft.Maui.AI.Attributes generates Microsoft.Extensions.AI tools at compile time to avoid reflection-heavy invocation paths.

Basic Workflow

1. Install the package:

   dotnet add package Microsoft.Maui.AI.Attributes --prerelease
   

2. Annotate methods or property accessors:

   using System.ComponentModel;
   using Microsoft.Maui.AI.Attributes;
   
   public sealed class PlantCatalogService
   {
       [Description("Searches the plant catalog by name or category.")]
       [ExportAIFunction("search_plants")]
       public IReadOnlyList<PlantInfo> SearchPlants(
           [Description("Optional filter text")] string? query = null)
       {
           return [];
       }
   }
   

3. Create a curated tool context:

   [AIToolSource(typeof(PlantCatalogService))]
   public partial class GardenTools : AIToolContext
   {
   }
   

4. Register services normally in MauiProgram.cs:

   builder.Services.AddSingleton<PlantCatalogService>();
   

5. Pass generated tools into an IChatClient:

   var client = innerClient.AsBuilder()
       .UseFunctionInvocation()
       .ConfigureOptions(options =>
       {
           options.Tools ??= [];
           foreach (var tool in GardenTools.Default.Tools)
               options.Tools.Add(tool);
       })
       .Build(serviceProvider);
   

Tool Context Choices

Prefer explicit contexts for production features so tool names and scope stay stable.