Shelf is an open-source cross-platform application framework that allows developers to build .NET MAUI apps with C# and XAML that can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Shelf is an open-source cross-platform application framework that allows developers to build .NET MAUI apps with C# and XAML that can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
What is Shelf (Maui Applications)?
Shelf is an open-source application framework for building cross-platform desktop and mobile apps using .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) technology. It allows developers to use C# and XAML to create native user interfaces that can run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android from a single shared codebase.
The Shelf framework is built on top of .NET MAUI, which handles most of the complexities of targeting multiple platforms from a single codebase. Shelf provides an additional layer focused on application patterns and best practices for real-world development. This includes things like an MVVM framework, dependency injection, configurable logging, and more.
Key capabilities and benefits of Shelf include:
Write apps using C# and XAML for native UIs on all major platforms
Leverage data binding, commands, behaviors and other .NET MAUI features
Includes MVVM framework and base view models for separation of concerns
Modular app design using Prism's composite application guidance
Dependency injection with SimpleInjector container integration
Logging and exception handling helpers
Some early support for cloud data sources
Flexible theming support
Modular plugin architecture to extend functionality
Active open source community on GitHub
If you are looking to build production-quality, cross-platform apps leveraging .NET MAUI's capabilities, the Shelf framework offers capabilities on top of MAUI to help accelerate development.
Shelf (Maui Applications) Features
Features
Cross-platform - supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android
Open-source under MIT license
Built on .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI)
Uses C# and XAML for development
MVVM application architecture
Hot Reload to instantly view code changes
Native controls and APIs
Data binding and triggers
Customizable themes
Pricing
Open Source
Pros
Write once, run anywhere
Open source with community support
Familiar C# and XAML development
Rapid development with Hot Reload
Native performance and UX
Cons
Limited number of controls compared to platform-specific SDKs
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