Build a PowerShell-only WPF XAML GUI designer

.github/workflows/powershell-xaml-designer.yml

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+name: PowerShell XAML Designer checks
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [ main ]
+  pull_request:
+
+jobs:
+  validate:
+    runs-on: windows-latest
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - name: Parse PowerShell and XAML
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: .\Tests\Test-Repository.ps1
+      - name: Verify WPF assemblies can load
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          Add-Type -AssemblyName WindowsBase
+          Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationCore
+          Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationFramework
+          [System.Windows.Window] | Out-String | Write-Host
+
+      - name: Test generated PowerShell code
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: .\Tests\Test-CodeGeneration.ps1
+
+      - name: Smoke test designer startup in STA
+        shell: cmd
+        run: powershell.exe -NoProfile -STA -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\Tests\Test-DesignerStartup.ps1

README.md

@@ -1 +1,99 @@
-# PowerShell_WPF_XAML_GUI_SampleCodes
+# PowerShell WPF XAML GUI Sample Codes / PowerShell XAML Designer
+
+This repository is being refocused around a **PowerShell-only WPF/XAML GUI designer** for Windows.
+
+The goal is to make it possible to create and maintain PowerShell WPF screens even in environments where Visual Studio, Blend, paid IDE add-ons, or third-party GUI designers cannot be installed or used.
+
+The original WPF sample scripts are kept as compatibility/reference samples. The main tool is now under [`XamlDesigner`](./XamlDesigner/).
+
+## PowerShell XAML Designer
+
+The designer follows a two-file model:
+
+```text
+MyWindow.xaml   # UI / layout
+MyWindow.ps1    # PowerShell control references, event registration, application logic
+```
+
+This is intentional. A standalone PowerShell `XamlReader` does not use the compiled C#/VB code-behind model that Visual Studio WPF projects use. Therefore the designer generates PowerShell event registration such as:
+
+```powershell
+[System.Windows.Controls.Button]$Button1 = $Window.FindName('Button1')
+
+$Button1.Add_Click({
+    param($sender, $e)
+
+    # Add logic here.
+})
+```
+
+instead of depending on `Click="Button1_Click"` in XAML.
+
+### Current features
+
+- PowerShell + WPF only; no Visual Studio and no third-party module required at runtime.
+- New / Open / Save / Save As for paired `.xaml` and `.ps1` files.
+- Runtime-discovered toolbox for public, instantiable WPF visual element types.
+- Toolbox search and category filtering.
+- Drag and drop from the toolbox to Canvas/Grid/StackPanel/DockPanel/WrapPanel/UniformGrid layouts and supported empty single-child containers such as Border and GroupBox.
+- Direct mouse movement for controls whose parent is a `Canvas`.
+- Arrow-key Canvas movement (1 px, or 10 px with Shift) plus optional 10-pixel mouse snap-to-grid.
+- XAML document Outline, including selection/editing of the root Window.
+- Selection of controls on the preview surface.
+- Undo/redo for designer-side XAML changes, while text editors keep their native text undo/redo.
+- Reflection-based property browser and property editing, including Canvas/Grid/DockPanel attached properties.
+- Reflection-based event browser.
+- Double-click an event to generate PowerShell event code.
+- Double-click a control on the designer to generate its typical/default event (`Click`, `SelectionChanged`, `TextChanged`, etc.).
+- XAML source editing, XML formatting, and well-formedness validation with line/position reporting.
+- Live WPF preview through `System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader`.
+- Preview-time removal of Visual Studio/Blend build-time attributes such as `x:Class`, `mc:Ignorable`, and `d:*`.
+- Preview-time removal of XAML event attributes that cannot be resolved by standalone PowerShell, while preserving the source document.
+- Automatic synchronization of named XAML controls into a generated control-reference region in the paired `.ps1` file.
+- Generated event handlers are placed in a dedicated region before `$Window.ShowDialog()`, so handlers are registered before the UI runs.
+- Existing user event code is not overwritten when control references are refreshed.
+- Save As warns before replacing an already-existing paired `.ps1` file.
+
+### Start the designer
+
+Windows PowerShell 5.1:
+
+```powershell
+powershell.exe -STA -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File .\XamlDesigner\Start-XamlDesigner.ps1
+```
+
+PowerShell 7 on Windows:
+
+```powershell
+pwsh.exe -STA -File .\XamlDesigner\Start-XamlDesigner.ps1
+```
+
+WPF requires Windows and an STA thread.
+
+## Design direction
+
+Visual Studio's XML editor provides features such as XML syntax checking, schema-aware validation, IntelliSense, snippets, and document outlining. The PowerShell XAML Designer aims to provide the most useful subset for standalone PowerShell/WPF work without requiring a Visual Studio project.
+
+The visual designer intentionally uses a `Canvas` as the default root layout because absolute positioning makes drag/move behavior deterministic. Existing `Grid`, `StackPanel`, `DockPanel`, `WrapPanel`, and `UniformGrid` layouts can still be opened and previewed, and controls can be added to supported root layout containers. Direct coordinate dragging is currently limited to `Canvas` parents.
+
+See [`XamlDesigner/README.md`](./XamlDesigner/README.md) for architecture, workflow, limitations, and planned editor features.
+
+## Existing samples
+
+The original files remain available at the repository root as WPF/PowerShell examples:
+
+- `WPF_CustomGraphicalInputBoxSample.*`
+- `WPF_GraphicalDatePickerSample.*`
+- `WPF_InkCanvas.ps1`
+- `WPF_OCR_Sample.ps1`
+- `WPF_SimpleWeatherFormSample/`
+
+They are useful as real-world XAML compatibility samples for the designer.
+
+## Microsoft references
+
+- Visual Studio XML editor: https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/xml-tools/xml-editor
+- Editing XML files: https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/xml-tools/how-to-edit-xml-files
+- XML editor IntelliSense: https://learn.microsoft.com/visualstudio/xml-tools/xml-editor-intellisense-features
+- WPF drag and drop: https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/desktop/wpf/advanced/drag-and-drop-overview
+- WPF dependency properties: https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/desktop/wpf/properties/dependency-properties-overview

Tests/Test-CodeGeneration.ps1

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+[CmdletBinding()]
+param()
+
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+
+if ($env:OS -ne 'Windows_NT') {
+    Write-Host 'Code-generation test skipped: WPF requires Windows.'
+    return
+}
+
+Add-Type -AssemblyName WindowsBase
+Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationCore
+Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationFramework
+
+$repositoryRoot = Split-Path -Parent $PSScriptRoot
+$designerDirectory = Join-Path $repositoryRoot 'XamlDesigner'
+$coreDirectory = Join-Path $designerDirectory 'Core'
+
+. (Join-Path $coreDirectory 'State.ps1')
+. (Join-Path $coreDirectory 'Xml.ps1')
+. (Join-Path $coreDirectory 'CodeBehind.ps1')
+. (Join-Path $coreDirectory 'Events.ps1')
+
+$script:State.BaseDirectory = $designerDirectory
+$script:State.ToolboxItems = @()
+$script:State.XamlDocument = New-XmlDocumentFromText -Text @'
+<Window xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
+        xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
+        x:Name="MainWindow">
+    <Canvas x:Name="DesignCanvas">
+        <Button x:Name="Button1" Content="Test"/>
+    </Canvas>
+</Window>
+'@
+
+$referenceLines = @(Get-ControlReferenceLines)
+$expectedReference = '[System.Windows.Controls.Button]${Button1} = $Window.FindName(''Button1'')'
+if ($referenceLines -notcontains $expectedReference) {
+    throw "Expected generated control reference was not found. Actual: $($referenceLines -join '; ')"
+}
+
+$code = Get-Content -LiteralPath (Join-Path $designerDirectory 'Templates\BlankWindow.ps1') -Raw
+$script:State.Ui = @{
+    CodeEditor = [pscustomobject]@{ Text = $code }
+    MainTabs = [pscustomobject]@{ SelectedIndex = 0 }
+    StatusText = [pscustomobject]@{ Text = '' }
+}
+$script:State.CurrentXamlPath = 'C:\Temp\GeneratedWindow.xaml'
+$script:State.SelectedElementName = 'Button1'
+$script:State.SelectedRuntimeElement = [System.Windows.Controls.Button]::new()
+$script:State.SelectedRuntimeElement.Name = 'Button1'
+
+Sync-CodeEditor
+Generate-EventHandlerForName -EventName 'Click'
+$generated = $script:State.Ui.CodeEditor.Text
+
+$eventMarker = '# <XamlDesigner:Event Control="Button1" Name="Click">'
+if (-not $generated.Contains($eventMarker)) {
+    throw 'Generated Click event marker was not found.'
+}
+
+$handlerIndex = $generated.IndexOf('${Button1}.Add_Click(', [System.StringComparison]::Ordinal)
+$showDialogIndex = $generated.IndexOf('$null = $Window.ShowDialog()', [System.StringComparison]::Ordinal)
+if ($handlerIndex -lt 0 -or $showDialogIndex -lt 0 -or $handlerIndex -gt $showDialogIndex) {
+    throw 'Generated event handler must be registered before $Window.ShowDialog().'
+}
+
+$tokens = $null
+$parseErrors = $null
+[void][System.Management.Automation.Language.Parser]::ParseInput(
+    $generated,
+    [ref]$tokens,
+    [ref]$parseErrors
+)
+if ($parseErrors.Count -gt 0) {
+    $messages = $parseErrors | ForEach-Object {
+        "line $($_.Extent.StartLineNumber): $($_.Message)"
+    }
+    throw "Generated PowerShell does not parse: $($messages -join '; ')"
+}
+
+Write-Host 'Generated control references and event registration order are valid.'

Tests/Test-DesignerStartup.ps1

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+[CmdletBinding()]
+param()
+
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+
+if ($env:OS -ne 'Windows_NT') {
+    Write-Host 'Designer startup smoke test skipped: WPF requires Windows.'
+    return
+}
+
+if ([System.Threading.Thread]::CurrentThread.GetApartmentState() -ne [System.Threading.ApartmentState]::STA) {
+    throw 'Designer startup smoke test must run in an STA PowerShell process.'
+}
+
+Add-Type -AssemblyName WindowsBase
+Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationCore
+Add-Type -AssemblyName PresentationFramework
+
+$repositoryRoot = Split-Path -Parent $PSScriptRoot
+$designerDirectory = Join-Path $repositoryRoot 'XamlDesigner'
+Import-Module (Join-Path $designerDirectory 'XamlDesigner.Core.psm1') -Force
+
+$designerXamlPath = Join-Path $designerDirectory 'XamlDesigner.xaml'
+[xml]$designerXaml = Get-Content -LiteralPath $designerXamlPath -Raw
+$reader = [System.Xml.XmlNodeReader]::new($designerXaml)
+try {
+    [System.Windows.Window]$window = [System.Windows.Markup.XamlReader]::Load($reader)
+}
+finally {
+    $reader.Close()
+}
+
+Initialize-XamlDesigner -Window $window -BaseDirectory $designerDirectory
+
+$requiredControls = @(
+    'MenuNew','MenuOpen','MenuSave','MenuSaveAs','MenuExit',
+    'MenuUndo','MenuRedo','MenuDelete','MenuDuplicate','MenuValidate','MenuRefreshToolbox','MenuAbout',
+    'StatusText','DocumentText','ToolboxSearch','ToolboxCategory','ToolboxList','OutlineTree',
+    'MainTabs','PreviewBorder','PreviewHost','CheckSnapToGrid',
+    'ButtonDelete','ButtonDuplicate','ButtonApplyXaml','ButtonFormatXaml','ButtonValidateCode',
+    'XamlEditor','CodeEditor','SelectedControlText','PropertyGrid',
+    'PropertyNameText','PropertyValueText','ButtonApplyProperty','EventGrid'
+)
+
+foreach ($name in $requiredControls) {
+    if ($null -eq $window.FindName($name)) {
+        throw "Designer UI smoke test failed: '$name' was not found."
+    }
+}
+
+if ($window.Title -notlike 'PowerShell XAML Designer*') {
+    throw "Designer initialization did not set the expected window title: $($window.Title)"
+}
+
+$window.Close()
+Write-Host 'PowerShell XAML Designer startup smoke test passed.'

Tests/Test-Repository.ps1

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+[CmdletBinding()]
+param()
+
+Set-StrictMode -Version Latest
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+
+$repositoryRoot = Split-Path -Parent $PSScriptRoot
+$errorsFound = [System.Collections.Generic.List[string]]::new()
+
+Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $repositoryRoot -Recurse -File -Include *.ps1,*.psm1 | ForEach-Object {
+    $tokens = $null
+    $parseErrors = $null
+    [void][System.Management.Automation.Language.Parser]::ParseFile($_.FullName, [ref]$tokens, [ref]$parseErrors)
+    foreach ($parseError in $parseErrors) {
+        $errorsFound.Add("PowerShell parse error: $($_.FullName):$($parseError.Extent.StartLineNumber):$($parseError.Extent.StartColumnNumber) $($parseError.Message)")
+    }
+}
+
+Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $repositoryRoot -Recurse -File -Include *.xaml | ForEach-Object {
+    try {
+        $settings = [System.Xml.XmlReaderSettings]::new()
+        $settings.DtdProcessing = [System.Xml.DtdProcessing]::Prohibit
+        $settings.XmlResolver = $null
+        $reader = [System.Xml.XmlReader]::Create($_.FullName, $settings)
+        try {
+            $document = [System.Xml.XmlDocument]::new()
+            $document.XmlResolver = $null
+            $document.Load($reader)
+        }
+        finally {
+            $reader.Close()
+        }
+    }
+    catch {
+        $errorsFound.Add("XML parse error: $($_.FullName): $($_.Exception.Message)")
+    }
+}
+
+$requiredFiles = @(
+    'XamlDesigner\Start-XamlDesigner.ps1',
+    'XamlDesigner\XamlDesigner.xaml',
+    'XamlDesigner\XamlDesigner.Core.psm1',
+    'XamlDesigner\Templates\BlankWindow.xaml',
+    'XamlDesigner\Templates\BlankWindow.ps1'
+)
+foreach ($relativePath in $requiredFiles) {
+    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath (Join-Path $repositoryRoot $relativePath))) {
+        $errorsFound.Add("Required designer file is missing: $relativePath")
+    }
+}
+
+$templateCodePath = Join-Path $repositoryRoot 'XamlDesigner\Templates\BlankWindow.ps1'
+if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $templateCodePath) {
+    $templateCode = Get-Content -LiteralPath $templateCodePath -Raw
+    foreach ($marker in @(
+        '# <XamlDesigner:XamlFile>',
+        '# </XamlDesigner:XamlFile>',
+        '# <XamlDesigner:ControlReferences>',
+        '# </XamlDesigner:ControlReferences>',
+        '# <XamlDesigner:Events>',
+        '# </XamlDesigner:Events>'
+    )) {
+        if (-not $templateCode.Contains($marker)) {
+            $errorsFound.Add("Generated-code marker is missing from BlankWindow.ps1: $marker")
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+if ($errorsFound.Count -gt 0) {
+    $errorsFound | ForEach-Object { Write-Error $_ }
+    throw "$($errorsFound.Count) repository validation error(s) found."
+}
+
+Write-Host 'PowerShell syntax, XAML/XML well-formedness, required files, and generated-code marker checks passed.'