Getting started

Install

dotnet add package Tharga.Wpf

Tharga.Wpf targets net10.0-windows (WPF). Tharga.License (a separate package referenced by Tharga.Wpf) is multi-targeted to net8.0 / net9.0 / net10.0.

Step 1 — Inherit from ApplicationBase

Change App.xaml so the application root is Tharga.Wpf.ApplicationBase instead of System.Windows.Application:

<wpf:ApplicationBase
    xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
    xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
    xmlns:wpf="clr-namespace:Tharga.Wpf;assembly=Tharga.Wpf"
    x:Class="MyApp.App"
    StartupUri="MainWindow.xaml">
</wpf:ApplicationBase>

Step 2 — Register services and options

In App.xaml.cs, override Register and Options:

public partial class App
{
    protected override void Register(HostBuilderContext context, IServiceCollection services)
    {
        services.AddTransient<MyService>();
    }

    protected override void Options(ThargaWpfOptions options)
    {
        options.CompanyName = "Contoso";
        options.ApplicationShortName = "Sample";
        options.ApplicationFullName = "Contoso Sample Application";
    }
}

CompanyName and ApplicationShortName are used for the folder that stores window-location data; ApplicationFullName appears on the splash screen and update shortcut.

Step 3 — Use StartMainWindow<T> for the full lifecycle (optional but recommended)

Instead of letting StartupUri show the window directly, drive startup through the StartMainWindow<T> extension. It registers the main window, wires up close-to-tab-close, optionally shows the splash (and runs an update + license check while it's visible):

public partial class App
{
    private void Application_Startup(object sender, StartupEventArgs e)
    {
        this.StartMainWindow<MainWindow>(
            showSplash: true,
            checkForUpdates: true,
            checkForLicense: false);
    }
}

When using StartMainWindow, remove StartupUri from App.xaml.

Step 4 — Resolve services anywhere

ApplicationBase.GetService<T>() is available statically. The recommended path is constructor injection into ViewModels (see ApplicationBase and IOC for the ViewModelProvider markup extension), but for code-behind or places where you can't inject:

var myService = ApplicationBase.GetService<MyService>();

Next steps

• ApplicationBase and IOC — register ViewModels with IViewModel and bind via ViewModelProvider.
• Splash screen — choose a built-in image, set the foreground color, or replace the splash window entirely.
• Application update — set UpdateSystem = Velopack and UpdateLocation so installed copies stay current.
• Tab navigator — add the TabNavigatorView control and open tabs from commands.