plugins

Skill: Dataverse C# Plugins

When to Use

Trigger when building, debugging, or reviewing Dataverse plugins — server-side C# code that executes in response to Dataverse operations (create, update, delete, retrieve, custom API calls).

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When to Use Plugins vs Alternatives

Scenario	Use	Why
Synchronous validation before save	Plugin (Pre-Validation/Pre-Operation)	Real-time, blocks save on failure
Auto-numbering on create	Plugin (Pre-Operation)	Set value before record commits
Complex calculated fields	Plugin (Post-Operation sync)	Runs after save, same transaction
Cascading updates to child records	Plugin (Post-Operation async)	Avoid timeout on large datasets
Long-running process (>2 min)	Power Automate	Plugins have 2-minute timeout
Orchestrate multiple external systems	Power Automate	Built-in connectors, retry, monitoring
Reusable API callable from apps	Custom API + Plugin	Typed inputs/outputs, callable from anywhere
Complex business logic from Code App	Custom API	Better than raw HTTP from client

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Execution Pipeline Overview

Client Request (Create/Update/Delete/Custom API)
  │
  ├── Stage 10: Pre-Validation (BEFORE security checks, NOT in transaction)
  ├── Stage 20: Pre-Operation (AFTER security, BEFORE database write, IN transaction)
  ├── [Database Operation]
  ├── Stage 40: Post-Operation Sync (AFTER write, IN transaction — rollback possible)
  └── Stage 40: Post-Operation Async (AFTER commit, SEPARATE transaction)

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⚠️ REQUIRED: Load Sub-Files Before Implementation

SKILL.md is a summary only — it is NOT sufficient for implementation.

The detailed content (complete payloads, XML templates, working examples, edge-case handling) lives in sub-files in the same directory as this SKILL.md. Before writing any code, you MUST use read_file on the sub-files relevant to your task:

• Project Setup & Architecture — .csproj, NuGet packages, strong-name key, IPlugin template, execution pipeline details
• Context & Entity Images — IPluginExecutionContext properties, Target entity access, Pre/Post images registration and usage
• Common Patterns — Validation plugin, auto-number, cascading update, Custom API plugin, shared variables, IOrganizationService CRUD
• Unit Testing with FakeXrmEasy — xUnit + FakeXrmEasy setup, mocking IOrganizationService, testing plugin execution
• Registration & Debugging — PAC CLI & Plugin Registration Tool, step parameters, ITracingService, ILogger, remote debugging
• Sandbox Limitations & Performance — Sandbox restrictions, HTTP calls from plugins, 2-min/2-hour timeouts, performance guidelines