Agent skill

Xamarin iOS Migration

by davidortinau in davidortinau/maui-skills

WORKFLOW SKILL - Guide for migrating Xamarin.iOS, Xamarin.Mac, and Xamarin.tvOS native apps to .NET for iOS, .NET for macOS, and .NET for tvOS.

MITAuto-check passedMobile

Install Xamarin iOS Migration

skills CLI
$ npx skills add davidortinau/maui-skills --skill xamarin-ios-migration -a claude-code

Project install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.

GitHub CLI
$ gh skill install davidortinau/maui-skills xamarin-ios-migration --agent claude-code

Project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).

Manual copy
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/davidortinau/maui-skills.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/plugins/maui-skills/skills/xamarin-ios-migration .claude/skills/xamarin-ios-migration && rm -rf skills-src

Use ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.

Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/

Facts

Skill name
xamarin-ios-migration
GitHub stars
175
Token cost
~1.5k tokens
SKILL.md length
554 words
Files
2 (incl. references)
Skills in repo
41
Repo updated
First seen
Licence
MIT

At a glance

WORKFLOW SKILL - Guide for migrating Xamarin.iOS, Xamarin.Mac, and Xamarin.tvOS native apps to .NET for iOS, .NET for macOS, and .NET for tvOS.

  • Works in 9 steps: Create new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS… → Update MSBuild properties (see… → Move MinimumOSVersion from Info.plist →… → …
  • : migrate Xamarin.iOS
  • SKILL.md covers Migration Workflow, Critical Gotchas, Platform-Specific Pitfalls and Binding Library Migration Tips, plus 4 more sections
  • Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md

What it does

Xamarin iOS Migration is an agent skill from davidortinau/maui-skills. WORKFLOW SKILL - Guide for migrating Xamarin.iOS, Xamarin.Mac, and Xamarin.tvOS native apps to .NET for iOS, .NET for macOS, and .NET for tvOS. Covers SDK-style project conversion, target framework monikers, MSBuild property changes, Info.plist updates, iOS binding library migration, Xamarin.Essentials in native apps, NuGet dependency compatibility, and code signing changes. USE FOR: "migrate Xamarin.iOS", "upgrade Xamarin.iOS to .NET", "Xamarin.iOS to .NET for iOS", "iOS project migration", "Xamarin.Mac…

Its SKILL.md is about 1.5k tokens, which your agent loads only when the skill is triggered. The skill folder holds 2 other files, including reference files (for example `references/ios-migration-api.md`).

It sits in Mobile, covering Cross-platform mobile apps, App store release and Android development. It works with iOS, .NET, Android and macOS. The repository describes itself as: .NET MAUI skills for GitHub Copilot and Claude Code. The licence is MIT.

When your agent uses it

  • : migrate Xamarin.iOS
  • Upgrade Xamarin.iOS to .NET
  • Xamarin.iOS to .NET for iOS
  • IOS project migration

Example prompts

  • “migrate Xamarin.iOS”
  • “upgrade Xamarin.iOS to .NET”
  • “Xamarin.iOS to .NET for iOS”
  • “/xamarin-ios-migration”

Workflow steps

9 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.

  1. Create new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS project (same name, copy code into it)
  2. Update MSBuild properties (see references/ios-migration-api.md)
  3. Move MinimumOSVersion from Info.plist → SupportedOSPlatformVersion in csproj
  4. Copy code, resources, storyboards, entitlements
  5. Update NuGet dependencies
  6. Migrate binding libraries (if applicable)
  7. Replace Xamarin.Essentials with true
  8. Remove .dll.config files (not supported in .NET)
  9. Delete bin//obj/, build, verify code signing, test on device

What it can do on your machine

Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 79bb4bf. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.

  • Tool permissions

    Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.

    From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.

  • Runs code

    No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md (its code samples are xml).

    From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.

  • Network

    No URLs in SKILL.md.

    From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.

  • Credentials

    Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.

    From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.

Context cost

Xamarin iOS Migration loads about 1.5k tokens when it runs, and up to ~3k if it reads all its reference files. Until then it costs about 218 tokens; SKILL.md has 554 words of instructions outside code blocks.

Always · name and description, kept in context so the agent knows when to use it
~218
When it runs · the whole SKILL.md, loaded when a task matches
~1.5k
With references · SKILL.md plus every file in references/, read only if the agent opens them
~3k

Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.

Safety

Auto-check passed

The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.

Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.

SKILL.md

The full file from davidortinau/maui-skills at commit 79bb4bf, republished under its MIT licence (© davidortinau). 554 words, ~1,482 tokens.

Download SKILL.mdSave it as .claude/skills/xamarin-ios-migration/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder). This skill also uses 1 other file; get the full folder from GitHub.
name
xamarin-ios-migration
description
**WORKFLOW SKILL** - Guide for migrating Xamarin.iOS, Xamarin.Mac, and Xamarin.tvOS native apps to .NET for iOS, .NET for macOS, and .NET for tvOS. Covers SDK-style project conversion, target framework monikers, MSBuild property changes, Info.plist updates, iOS binding library migration, Xamarin.Essentials in native apps, NuGet dependency compatibility, and code signing changes. USE FOR: "migrate Xamarin.iOS", "upgrade Xamarin.iOS to .NET", "Xamarin.iOS to .NET for iOS", "iOS project migration", "Xamarin.Mac migration", "tvOS migration", "iOS binding library migration", "MtouchArch to RuntimeIdentifier", "Apple project migration". DO NOT USE FOR: migrating Xamarin.Forms apps (use xamarin-forms-migration), migrating Xamarin.Android apps (use xamarin-android-migration), creating new MAUI apps from scratch (use feature-specific MAUI skills).

Xamarin.iOS / Xamarin.Mac / Xamarin.tvOS → .NET Migration

For SDK-style project templates, MSBuild property tables, RuntimeIdentifier conversion tables, and namespace mappings, see references/ios-migration-api.md.

Migration Workflow

  1. Create new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS project (same name, copy code into it)
  2. Update MSBuild properties (see references/ios-migration-api.md)
  3. Move MinimumOSVersion from Info.plist → SupportedOSPlatformVersion in csproj
  4. Copy code, resources, storyboards, entitlements
  5. Update NuGet dependencies
  6. Migrate binding libraries (if applicable)
  7. Replace Xamarin.Essentials with <UseMauiEssentials>true</UseMauiEssentials>
  8. Remove .dll.config files (not supported in .NET)
  9. Delete bin//obj/, build, verify code signing, test on device

Strategy: Create a new project and copy code into it — don't edit the existing project file.

Critical Gotchas

⚠️ No Backward Compatibility for iOS/Mac NuGet Packages

Unlike Android, there is no backward compatibility with old Xamarin iOS/Mac TFMs. Packages targeting monotouch, xamarinios, xamarinios10, monomac, or xamarinmac will not work — they must be recompiled for net8.0-ios etc.

⚠️ CodeSigningKey → CodesignKey Rename
xml
<!-- ❌ Old property name — silently ignored -->
<CodeSigningKey>Apple Distribution: My Company</CodeSigningKey>

<!-- ✅ Renamed property -->
<CodesignKey>Apple Distribution: My Company</CodesignKey>

Also rename MtouchEnableSGenConc → EnableSGenConc.

⚠️ No .dll.config or .exe.config Support

.dll.config and <dllmap> are not supported in .NET Core. Migrate configuration to appsettings.json, embedded resources, or platform preferences.

⚠️ watchOS Is Not Supported

Xamarin.watchOS has no .NET equivalent. Bundle Swift extensions with .NET for iOS apps instead.

⚠️ OpenGL (iOS) Is Not Supported

OpenTK is unavailable in .NET for iOS. Migrate to Metal or SceneKit.

⚠️ Linker Behavior Is Stricter

Update LinkDescription XML files if custom linker configuration was used. The linker in .NET is stricter and may trim symbols that the Xamarin linker preserved.

Platform-Specific Pitfalls

PitfallImpactMitigation
iOS/Mac NuGet packages not backward-compatibleBuild failures for packages targeting xamariniosRecompile or find .NET-compatible alternatives
CodeSigningKey silently ignoredApp fails to sign but no clear errorRename to CodesignKey
MtouchArch not convertedWrong architecture targetedConvert to RuntimeIdentifier(s) — see reference tables
MinimumOSVersion left in Info.plistIgnored — uses csproj valueMove to SupportedOSPlatformVersion
Entitlements path wrongBuild succeeds but runtime failuresVerify CodesignEntitlements points to correct file
.dll.config files presentSilently ignored at runtimeRemove and migrate to alternatives
Show full SKILL.md (233 more words)Show less

Binding Library Migration Tips

  • Use SDK-style project format with net8.0-ios TFM
  • The binding generator and API definitions work the same way
  • Verify native frameworks are updated for the target iOS version
  • Test thoroughly — binding edge cases are common in .NET migrations

NuGet Compatibility Decision

SituationAction
You own the packageRecompile with .NET TFMs
Package has preview .NET versionUse preview
No compatible versionReplace with .NET-compatible alternative
.NET Standard library (no platform deps)✅ Still works

Build Troubleshooting

IssueFix
Namespace not foundMost UIKit namespaces are unchanged — verify against .NET for iOS API surface
Linker errorsUpdate LinkDescription XML files — linker is stricter in .NET
Code signing failureVerify CodesignKey, CodesignProvision, CodesignEntitlements
Entitlements mismatchEnsure entitlements file matches provisioning profile

API Currency Warning

If your migrated app will also adopt .NET MAUI controls (e.g., via UseMaui), check the maui-current-apis skill for deprecated MAUI APIs to avoid (ListView, Frame, Device.*, etc.).

Quick Checklist

  1. ☐ Created new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS project
  2. ☐ Set TargetFramework to net8.0-ios (or -macos/-tvos)
  3. ☐ Moved MinimumOSVersion → SupportedOSPlatformVersion in csproj
  4. ☐ Converted MtouchArch → RuntimeIdentifier(s)
  5. ☐ Converted HttpClientHandler → UseNativeHttpHandler
  6. ☐ Renamed CodeSigningKey → CodesignKey
  7. ☐ Renamed MtouchEnableSGenConc → EnableSGenConc
  8. ☐ Copied source, resources, storyboards, entitlements
  9. ☐ Updated NuGet dependencies (no backward compat with Xamarin TFMs!)
  10. ☐ Added UseMauiEssentials + Platform.Init() if using Essentials
  11. ☐ Removed .dll.config files
  12. ☐ Deleted bin/ and obj/ folders
  13. ☐ Verified code signing and provisioning
  14. ☐ Tested on physical device

© davidortinau, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file

Files

SKILL.md and 1 other file (references) in plugins/maui-skills/skills/xamarin-ios-migration of davidortinau/maui-skills.

  • SKILL.md
  • references/ios-migration-api.md

Open the folder on GitHubat commit 79bb4bf

Compare with similar skills

Xamarin iOS Migration next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.

Xamarin iOS Migration compared with similar skills
SkillStarsUsed inTokensAuto-checkLicenceRepo updated
Xamarin iOS Migration this skilldavidortinau/maui-skills175—~1.5kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
Standalonehashgraph-online/awesome-codex-plugins1.3k—~2.9kAutomated safety check: PassApache-2.0
Ksafeioannisa/KSafe338—~17kAutomated safety check: PassApache-2.0
Maui AI DebuggingRedth/Maui.Gtk101—~4.1kAutomated safety check: PassMIT
uni-app Native App Packagingfeige996/unibest2.3k—~651Automated safety check: PassMIT
Eas Simulatorexpo/skills2.7k—~6.6kAutomated safety check: NotesMIT

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Categories

Questions about Xamarin iOS Migration

What does Xamarin iOS Migration do?

WORKFLOW SKILL - Guide for migrating Xamarin.iOS, Xamarin.Mac, and Xamarin.tvOS native apps to .NET for iOS, .NET for macOS, and .NET for tvOS. Xamarin iOS Migration is an agent skill from davidortinau/maui-skills.NET for tvOS.

When should I use Xamarin iOS Migration?

Xamarin iOS Migration fits situations like: : migrate Xamarin.iOS; upgrade Xamarin.iOS to .NET; xamarin.iOS to .NET for iOS; IOS project migration.

How do I install Xamarin iOS Migration in Claude Code?

Run `npx skills add davidortinau/maui-skills --skill xamarin-ios-migration -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (plugins/maui-skills/skills/xamarin-ios-migration in davidortinau/maui-skills) into .claude/skills/xamarin-ios-migration in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.

How do I install Xamarin iOS Migration in Codex?

Run `npx skills add davidortinau/maui-skills --skill xamarin-ios-migration -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (plugins/maui-skills/skills/xamarin-ios-migration in davidortinau/maui-skills) into .agents/skills/xamarin-ios-migration in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.

Can I use Xamarin iOS Migration in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?

Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add davidortinau/maui-skills --skill xamarin-ios-migration -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/xamarin-ios-migration, .gemini/skills/xamarin-ios-migration, .github/skills/xamarin-ios-migration and .opencode/skills/xamarin-ios-migration in your project.

What does Xamarin iOS Migration need to run?

SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Xamarin iOS Migration is instructions for the agent only.

Does Xamarin iOS Migration access the network?

SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.

Is Xamarin iOS Migration safe to install?

Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.

What licence does Xamarin iOS Migration use?

Xamarin iOS Migration is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.

How many tokens does Xamarin iOS Migration use?

About 1.5k tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 5.9k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full. Its references folder adds about 1.5k tokens, read only when the agent opens those files.

What are the alternatives to Xamarin iOS Migration?

Skills that share tags, products or a category with Xamarin iOS Migration: Standalone (hashgraph-online/awesome-codex-plugins, 1.3k stars), Ksafe (ioannisa/KSafe, 338 stars), Maui AI Debugging (Redth/Maui.Gtk, 101 stars) and uni-app Native App Packaging (feige996/unibest, 2.3k stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.

Who maintains Xamarin iOS Migration?

davidortinau (a GitHub user) maintains it in davidortinau/maui-skills, which has 175 GitHub stars. The repository holds 41 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on July 6, 2026.

Source: davidortinau/maui-skills on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.