winapp-package

When to use

Use this skill when:

• Creating an MSIX installer from a built app for distribution or testing
• Packaging any Windows app — GUI apps, console apps, CLI tools, services, or background processes
• Signing a package with a development or production certificate
• Bundling the Windows App SDK runtime for self-contained deployment

Prerequisites

Before packaging, you need:

1. Built app output in a folder (e.g., bin/Release/, dist/, build/)
2. Package.appxmanifest — from winapp init or winapp manifest generate
3. Certificate (optional) — devcert.pfx from winapp cert generate for signing

Usage

Basic packaging (unsigned)

# Package from build output — manifest auto-detected from current dir or input folder
winapp package ./bin/Release

# Specify manifest location explicitly
winapp package ./dist --manifest ./Package.appxmanifest

Package and sign in one step

# Sign with existing certificate
winapp package ./bin/Release --cert ./devcert.pfx

# Custom certificate password
winapp package ./bin/Release --cert ./devcert.pfx --cert-password MyP@ssw0rd

Generate certificate + package in one step

# Auto-generate cert, sign, and package
winapp package ./bin/Release --generate-cert

# Also install the cert to trust it on this machine (requires admin)
winapp package ./bin/Release --generate-cert --install-cert

Self-contained deployment

# Bundle Windows App SDK runtime so users don't need it installed (must have winappsdk reference in the winapp.yaml or *.csproj)
winapp package ./bin/Release --cert ./devcert.pfx --self-contained

Custom output path and name

# Specify output file
winapp package ./dist --output ./releases/myapp-v1.0.msix --cert ./devcert.pfx

# Custom package name
winapp package ./dist --name "MyApp_1.0.0_x64" --cert ./devcert.pfx

What the command does

1. Locates Package.appxmanifest — looks in input folder, then current directory (or uses --manifest)
2. Copies manifest + assets into a staging layout alongside your app files
3. Discovers manifest-referenced files — any non-image file referenced in the manifest (e.g., AppExtension payloads like manifest.json, config files) is automatically copied from the manifest directory or input folder if missing from staging
4. Generates resources.pri — Package Resource Index for UWP-style resource lookup (skip with --skip-pri)
5. Runs makeappx pack — creates the .msix package file
6. Signs the package (if --cert provided) — calls signtool with your certificate