What is a 'Template Contract' in WPF?

A Template Contract refers to the set of named elements (prefixed with PART_) that a control's code-behind expects to find in its template to function correctly, though this skill teaches you how to handle missing parts gracefully.

Does this skill provide guidance on performance?

Yes, it includes specific selection criteria for FrameworkElement, which allows for direct rendering via OnRender for scenarios requiring extreme performance optimization.

When should I use a Custom Control instead of a UserControl?

Use a Custom Control when you need to support theme-based styling (Generic.xaml) and want to allow UI designers to completely override the look and feel via ControlTemplates without modifying the logic.

Why are DependencyProperties necessary for custom controls?

DependencyProperties are required to enable core WPF features like Data Binding, Animation support, Style application, and property value inheritance.

WPF Control Architect

Name: WPF Control Architect
Author: christian289

bychristian289

•

Design Tools

Guides the architectural decision-making and implementation of custom WPF controls using best practices for styles, templates, and performance.

About

The WPF Control Architect skill is a specialized resource for .NET developers building desktop applications. It provides structured decision-making frameworks to help you choose the right base class—UserControl, Control, or FrameworkElement—and ensures your components follow professional patterns for DependencyProperties, RoutedEvents, and theme-aware styling. This skill is essential for creating reusable, maintainable, and high-performance UI libraries that adhere to the standard Windows Presentation Foundation control contract.

Key Features

Implementation patterns for DependencyProperties and RoutedEvents
6 GitHub stars
Theme resource organization and Generic.xaml configuration
Base class selection trees for UserControl vs. Control vs. FrameworkElement
Guidance on building stylable controls with flexible Template Contracts
Performance optimization strategies using direct rendering and DrawingVisual

Use Cases

Building reusable enterprise-level UI component libraries
Modernizing legacy desktop applications with custom-styled themes
Optimizing complex UI rendering performance in data-heavy applications

About

Key Features

Implementation patterns for DependencyProperties and RoutedEvents
6 GitHub stars
Theme resource organization and Generic.xaml configuration
Base class selection trees for UserControl vs. Control vs. FrameworkElement
Guidance on building stylable controls with flexible Template Contracts
Performance optimization strategies using direct rendering and DrawingVisual

Use Cases

Building reusable enterprise-level UI component libraries
Modernizing legacy desktop applications with custom-styled themes
Optimizing complex UI rendering performance in data-heavy applications