Microsoft launches WinApp VS Code Extension for cross-platform Windows app development

Microsoft announced the WinApp VS Code Extension in public preview on May 4, 2026, alongside Windows App SDK 2.0 and WinApp CLI v0.3. The extension enables developers using .NET, WPF, WinUI, C++, Electron, Rust, Tauri, or Flutter to initialize, run, debug, package, and sign Windows applications directly from VS Code without Visual Studio. WinApp CLI v0.3 adds 'run' and 'ui' commands, with the 'ui' command providing UI Automation for inspecting and interacting with any running Windows application. Windows App SDK 2.0 includes SystemBackdropElement (Fluent materials as regular XAML elements), SplitMenuFlyoutItem, IXamlCondition, and ConnectedAnimation with ItemsRepeater. The tool bridges cross-platform development with Windows-native capabilities including MSIX packaging, package identity, and certificates.