Using Win UI 3 project and Uno Platform project side by side

[Skillfabrik]

I need advise regarding the setup of a new project: I want to start implementing a new desktop application. The main platform should be Windows 11. I want to use Win UI 3 for that, since Microsoft recommends it.

But for some users it would be beneficial that also macOS and Linux is supported. Therefore, I want to add an additional Uno Platform project to my Visual Studio solution to also target MacOS and Linux.

The idea is that whatever happens to Uno Platform, I can always build my app for the primary platform (Windows). Possible scenarios I am thinking of are for example the end of the support for Uno Platform or the end of support of certain controls, etc.

Do you think that this approach makes sense? If yes, how do I set up the solution structure?

[jeromelaban]

Thanks for the question.

Uno Platform solutions support WinAppSDK as a target, if you check the "WinAppSDK" box in the wizard. When building with WinAppSDK, Uno is not present at runtime, which the goal you're trying to reach.

[Skillfabrik]

Thanks for the fast reply.

Which steps would be necessary to migrate an Uno project back to a plain WinAppSDK / Win UI 3 project?

[jeromelaban]

We do not provide documentation for this specific scenario, but it is mostly about changing the csproj to use plain winappsdk features. The rest is the same as winui if you're not using any of the uno features like extensions/toolkit or similar.