# Maui Data Binding

Guidance for .NET MAUI XAML and C# data bindings, compiled bindings...

- Repository: https://github.com/dotnet/skills (5787 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add dotnet/skills --skill maui-data-binding -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add dotnet/skills --skill maui-data-binding -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add dotnet/skills --skill maui-data-binding -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add dotnet/skills --skill maui-data-binding -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add dotnet/skills`

## Description

Guidance for .NET MAUI XAML and C# data bindings, compiled bindings, INotifyPropertyChanged / ObservableObject, value converters, binding modes, multi-binding, relative bindings, fallbacks, and MVVM best practices. USE FOR: setting up compiled bindings with x:DataType, implementing INotifyPropertyChanged or CommunityToolkit ObservableObject, creating IValueConverter / IMultiValueConverter, choosing binding modes, configuring BindingContext, relative bindings, binding fallbacks, StringFormat, code-behind SetBinding with lambdas, and enforcing XC0022/XC0025 warnings. DO NOT USE FOR: CollectionView item templates and layouts (use maui-collectionview), Shell navigation data passing (use maui-shell-navigation), dependency injection (use maui-dependency-injection), or animations triggered by property changes (use .NET MAUI animation APIs).

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# .NET MAUI Data Binding

Wire UI controls to ViewModel properties with compile-time safety, correct
change notification, and minimal overhead. Prefer compiled bindings everywhere
and treat binding warnings as build errors.

## When to Use

- Adding `x:DataType` compiled bindings to a new or existing page
- Implementing `INotifyPropertyChanged` or CommunityToolkit `ObservableObject`
- Creating or consuming `IValueConverter` / `IMultiValueConverter`
- Choosing the correct `BindingMode` for a control property
- Setting `BindingContext` in XAML or code-behind
- Using relative bindings (`Self`, `AncestorType`, `TemplatedParent`)
- Applying `StringFormat`, `FallbackValue`, or `TargetNullValue`
- Writing AOT-safe code bindings with `SetBinding` and lambdas (.NET 9+)

## When Not to Use

- **CollectionView layouts / templates**, use the `maui-collectionview` skill
- **Shell navigation parameters**, use the `maui-shell-navigation` skill
- **Service registration / DI**, use the `maui-dependency-injection` skill
- **Property-change-triggered animations**, use built-in [.NET MAUI animation APIs](https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/maui/user-interface/animation/basic)

## Inputs

- A .NET MAUI project targeting .NET 8 or later
- XAML pages or C# code-behind where bindings are declared
- A ViewModel class (or plan to create one)

## Rules That Change the Answer

Apply these to every binding answer, they are the differences between "it compiles"
and "it actually updates the UI".

The rest: https://github.com/dotnet/skills/blob/HEAD/plugins/dotnet-maui/skills/maui-data-binding/SKILL.md