MCAF: .NET dotnet format

Trigger On

• the repo uses dotnet format
• you need a CI-safe formatting check for .NET
• the repo wants .editorconfig-driven style enforcement

Value

• produce a concrete project delta: code, docs, config, tests, CI, or review artifact
• reduce ambiguity through explicit planning, verification, and final validation skills
• leave reusable project context so future tasks are faster and safer

Do Not Use For

• repositories that intentionally use CSharpier as the only formatter
• analyzer strategy with no formatting command change

Inputs

• the nearest AGENTS.md
• the solution or project path
• the current .editorconfig

Quick Start

1. Read the nearest AGENTS.md and confirm scope and constraints.
2. Run this skill's Workflow through the Ralph Loop until outcomes are acceptable.
3. Return the Required Result Format with concrete artifacts and verification evidence.

Workflow

1. Prefer the SDK-provided dotnet format command instead of inventing custom format scripts.
2. Start with verify mode in CI: dotnet format TARGET --verify-no-changes.
3. Use narrower subcommands only when the repo needs them:
   • whitespace
   • style
   • analyzers
4. Keep .editorconfig as the source of truth for style preferences.
5. If the repo also uses CSharpier, document which tool owns which file types or rules.

Bootstrap When Missing

If dotnet format is requested but not available yet:

1. Detect current state:
   • dotnet --info
   • dotnet format --version
2. Treat dotnet format as SDK-provided, not as a separate repo-local tool by default.
3. If the command is missing, install or upgrade to a supported .NET SDK, then recheck dotnet format --version.
4. Add explicit local and CI commands to AGENTS.md, usually:
   • dotnet format TARGET --verify-no-changes
5. Run the chosen command once and return status: configured or status: improved.
6. If the repo intentionally uses only CSharpier for formatting ownership, return status: not_applicable.

Deliver

• explicit dotnet format commands for local and CI runs
• formatting that follows .editorconfig

Validate

• formatting is reproducible on CI
• no overlapping formatter ownership is left ambiguous

Ralph Loop

Use the Ralph Loop for every task, including docs, architecture, testing, and tooling work.

1. Plan first (mandatory):
   • analyze current state
   • define target outcome, constraints, and risks
   • write a detailed execution plan
   • list final validation skills to run at the end, with order and reason
2. Execute one planned step and produce a concrete delta.
3. Review the result and capture findings with actionable next fixes.
4. Apply fixes in small batches and rerun the relevant checks or review steps.
5. Update the plan after each iteration.
6. Repeat until outcomes are acceptable or only explicit exceptions remain.
7. If a dependency is missing, bootstrap it or return status: not_applicable with explicit reason and fallback path.

Required Result Format

• status: complete | clean | improved | configured | not_applicable | blocked
• plan: concise plan and current iteration step
• actions_taken: concrete changes made
• validation_skills: final skills run, or skipped with reasons
• verification: commands, checks, or review evidence summary
• remaining: top unresolved items or none

For setup-only requests with no execution, return status: configured and exact next commands.

Load References

• read references/dotnet-format.md first

Example Requests

• "Add dotnet format to this repo."
• "Make formatting fail CI if files drift."
• "Explain when to use dotnet format versus CSharpier."