Merge pull request #811 from telerik/Q4_2025

Q4 2025

Author: nade7o

_config.yml

@@ -1960,7 +1960,6 @@ intro_columns:
   -
     title: "Data Visualization"
     items:
-      "Barcode": "winforms/barcode/overview"
       "BarcodeView": "barcodeview-overview"
       "BindingNavigator": "winforms/bindingnavigator"
       "BulletGraph": "winforms/gauges/bulletgraph"

ai-coding-assistant/mcp-server-as-nuget.md

@@ -0,0 +1,181 @@
+---
+title: MCP Server as a NuGet Package
+page_title: Telerik WinForms MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server as a NuGet Package
+description: Learn how to add and use the Telerik WinForms MCP Server via a NuGet package with the dnx command as a WinForms AI coding assistant and code generator for better developer productivity. The Telerik WinForms MCP server provides proprietary context about Telerik UI for WinForms to AI-powered software.
+slug: ai-mcp-server-as-a-nuget
+tags: telerik,winforms,ai,ai server,dotnetWF,coding assistant,nuget
+position: 3
+---
+
+# Telerik WinForms MCP Server (NuGet)
+
+The Telerik WinForms [MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction) is also available as a NuGet package. This NuGet distribution exposes the same AI Coding Assistant functionality as the npm package. Beginning with .NET 10 it can be executed directly via the `dnx` command. For .NET 8 and .NET 9 (where `dnx` is not available) you can install it as a local dotnet tool and invoke its executable.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+To use the Telerik WinForms MCP server via NuGet, you need:
+
+| Target Runtime | Required SDK | Invocation Method | Notes |
+|----------------|--------------|-------------------|-------|
+| .NET 8 / .NET 9 | .NET 8 or .NET 9 SDK | Local dotnet tool (`telerik-winforms-mcp.exe`) | `dnx` not supported; install tool manually |
+| .NET 10 | .NET 10 SDK (Preview 6 or newer) | `dnx` dynamic execution | Simplest approach; no prior install step |
+
+Common requirements:
+
+* An [MCP-compatible client](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/clients) that supports MCP tools (latest version recommended).
+* A WinForms project targeting net8.0-windows, net9.0-windows, or net10.0-windows if you want local project context to be part of AI responses.
+* A valid [Telerik license key]({%slug license-key%}).
+
+## Summary of Installation Approaches
+
+| Aspect | .NET 8 / 9 | .NET 10 |
+|--------|------------|---------|
+| Availability of `dnx` | Not available | Available |
+| Install Command | `dotnet tool install --tool-path ./.tools Telerik.WinForms.MCP` | None (resolved on demand) |
+| Executable Path | `./.tools/telerik-winforms-mcp.exe` | Handled by `dnx` |
+| .mcp.json Command | `.\\.tools\\telerik-winforms-mcp.exe` | `dnx` |
+| .mcp.json Args | _None_ | `Telerik.WinForms.MCP`, `--yes` |
+| Update Version | Re-run tool install with `--version` or `tool update` | Handled by latest package resolved by `dnx` |
+| Offline Use | Requires prior tool install | Requires prior NuGet cache warm-up |
+
+## Server Installation
+
+### .NET 8 / .NET 9
+
+Install the MCP server as a local tool in your solution root (or another chosen path):
+
+```powershell
+dotnet tool install --tool-path ./.tools Telerik.WinForms.MCP
+```
+
+If updating:
+
+```powershell
+dotnet tool update --tool-path ./.tools Telerik.WinForms.MCP
+```
+
+This creates the executable at `./.tools/telerik-winforms-mcp.exe`.
+
+### .NET 10
+
+No manual install step is needed. The `dnx` command will download and execute the NuGet package on demand.
+
+## Server Configuration
+
+### .NET 8 / .NET 9 Configuration (`.mcp.json`)
+
+Add a `.mcp.json` file to your solution root (or to `%USERPROFILE%` for global usage):
+
+```json
+{
+  "servers": {
+    "telerik-winforms-assistant": {
+      "type": "stdio",
+      "command": ".\\.tools\\telerik-winforms-mcp.exe",
+      "env": {
+        "TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH": "THE_PATH_TO_YOUR_LICENSE_FILE"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+If you prefer embedding the license string directly:
+
+```json
+"env": {
+  "TELERIK_LICENSE": "YOUR_LICENSE_KEY"
+}
+```
+
+### .NET 10 Configuration (`.mcp.json`)
+
+Use these settings when configuring the server in your MCP client:
+
+| Setting | Value |
+|---------|-------|
+| Package Name | `Telerik.WinForms.MCP` |
+| Type | `stdio` |
+| Command | `dnx` |
+| Arguments | `Telerik.WinForms.MCP`, `--yes` |
+| Server Name | `telerik-winforms-assistant` (customizable) |
+
+### Workspace-Specific Setup
+
+Add a `.mcp.json` file to your solution (root) folder. Choose the variant that matches your target .NET runtime:
+
+#### .NET 8 / .NET 9 Example
+
+```json
+{
+  "servers": {
+    "telerik-winforms-assistant": {
+      "type": "stdio",
+      "command": ".\\.tools\\telerik-winforms-mcp.exe",
+      "env": {
+        "TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH": "THE_PATH_TO_YOUR_LICENSE_FILE"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
+#### .NET 10 Example (using `dnx`)
+
+
+```json
+{
+  "servers": {
+    "telerik-winforms-assistant": {
+      "type": "stdio",
+      "command": "dnx",
+      "args": ["Telerik.WinForms.MCP", "--yes"],
+      "env": {
+        "TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH": "THE_PATH_TO_YOUR_LICENSE_FILE"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+```
+
+You may substitute `TELERIK_LICENSE` instead of `TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH` (see License Configuration section below for details and recommendations). The `inputs` array is optional and not required for current functionality.
+
+After saving the file, restart Visual Studio and enable the `telerik-winforms-assistant` tool in the [Copilot Chat window's tool selection dropdown](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/ide/mcp-servers?view=vs-2022#configuration-example-with-github-mcp-server).
+
+
+### Global Setup
+
+To enable the server globally for all projects, add the `.mcp.json` file to your user directory (`%USERPROFILE%`, e.g., `C:\Users\YourName\.mcp.json`). The same distinction applies: use the executable path for .NET 8/9, or `dnx` for .NET 10.
+
+## License Configuration
+
+Add your [Telerik license key]({%slug license-key%}) using one of these options in the `env` section.
+
+__Option 1: License File Path (Recommended)__
+
+```json
+"env": {
+  "TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH": "THE_PATH_TO_YOUR_LICENSE_FILE"
+}
+```
+
+The `THE_PATH_TO_YOUR_LICENSE_FILE` should point to the `telerik-license.txt` file, usually in the AppData folder. Often it will look like:
+
+`"TELERIK_LICENSE_PATH": "%appdata%/Telerik/telerik-license.txt"`
+
+__Option 2: Direct License Key__
+
+```json
+"env": {
+  "TELERIK_LICENSE": "YOUR_LICENSE_KEY_HERE"
+}
+```
+
+> Option 1 is recommended unless you're sharing settings across different systems. Remember to [update your license key]({%slug license-key%}#updating-your-license-key) when necessary.
+
+## See also
+
+* [Telerik WinForms GitHub Copilot Extension]({%slug ai-copilot-extension%})
+* [AI Coding Assistant Overview]({%slug ai-overview%})
+* [npm-based Telerik WinForms MCP Server]({%slug ai-mcp-server%})

ai-coding-assistant/prompt-library.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ page_title: Telerik UI for WinForms Prompt Library
 description: Explore the collection of prompts that you can use with the Telerik UI for WinForms AI Coding Assistant.
 slug: ai-prompt-library
 tags: telerik,winforms,ai,coding assistant,prompt,library
-position: 3
+position: 4
 ---
 
 # Telerik UI for WinForms Prompt Library