Template Comparison

This skill helps an agent compare 2+ dotnet new templates side by side so the user can pick the right one. It inspects each template's parameters and feature support and renders a comparison table.

When to Use

• User is deciding between similar templates (e.g., webapi vs webapp, blazor vs blazorwasm)
• User asks "which template should I use for X?"
• User wants to understand how two or more templates differ before creating a project

When Not to Use

• User wants to create a project — route to template-instantiation
• User wants to author or validate a custom template — route to template-authoring or template-validation
• User just needs to find or inspect a single template — route to template-discovery

Inputs

Workflow

Step 1: Inspect each template

Run dotnet new <template> --help for each template being compared to collect its parameters (names, types, defaults, choices) and supported frameworks:

dotnet new webapi --help
dotnet new webapp --help

If a template is not installed, find and install it first (dotnet new search <keyword>, then dotnet new install <package>).

Run --help calls sequentially. The template engine uses a global mutex, so running several dotnet new <template> --help commands concurrently can fail with a transient "mutex"/"persistence" error and empty output. Inspect templates one at a time; if a call fails, retry it once before moving on, and still produce the comparison from whatever parameter knowledge you have rather than ending with no answer.

Step 2: Build the comparison table

Produce a side-by-side table covering:

• Parameters — name, type, default, choices
• Feature support — auth, AOT, Docker, controllers, interactivity
• Available frameworks — e.g., net8.0, net9.0, net10.0
• Classifications — categories the template advertises (Web, API, Blazor, etc.)

Example shape:

Step 3: Recommend

End with a decisive Recommendation line — never leave the user with just a table. Format:

Recommendation: <template> — one sentence tying the choice to the user's stated scenario. (Pick the other if <condition>.)

Then link to template-instantiation to create it. A comparison that ends without naming a winner (or a clear "it depends on X") is incomplete — that indecision is what makes this skill tie with a plain answer.

Decision shortcuts for common pairs

Use these as the opinionated default when the user hasn't given a countervailing constraint. Still inspect with --help to confirm parameters, but lead with the verdict:

Validation

• Every template requested was inspected via dotnet new <template> --help
• The comparison covers parameters, feature support, frameworks, and classifications
• Differences relevant to the user's scenario are called out explicitly
• A recommendation (or clear trade-off) is provided

Common Pitfalls

More Info

• dotnet new templates — built-in template reference
• dotnet new — CLI reference