How do I generate multiple files with CodegenCS?

Inject ICodegenContext into your template and use context["filename.cs"].Write() to create and manage multiple output files, with automatic file nesting in Visual Studio projects.

CodegenCS vs T4 templates: which is better for .NET?

CodegenCS generally offers better debugging, automatic indentation, and hybrid templating, while T4 is more integrated but suffers from whitespace issues and limited flexibility for complex logic.

Can I use CodegenCS to generate YAML or JSON config files?

Yes, CodegenCS can generate any text-based format. Its raw string literals simplify character escaping, making it easy to produce structured data like YAML or JSON without extra boilerplate.

How to pass command-line arguments to CodegenCS templates?

Use the CommandLineArgs type injected into templates, or bind custom options with System.CommandLine for validation and help text in the dotnet-codegencs CLI.

Does CodegenCS support async templates for database queries?

Yes, templates can be async methods returning Task or Task , allowing asynchronous operations like querying databases or calling APIs during generation.

How to debug a CodegenCS template in Visual Studio?

Interpolate BREAKIF(true) in markup or call System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Break() in programmatic code, then disable 'Enable Just My Code' in Visual Studio debugging settings to step through.

CodegenCS

MITC#

A C# toolkit for code generation using plain C# templates, offering a modern alternative to T4 with hybrid programmatic and markup approaches.

GitHub

What is CodegenCS?

CodegenCS is a C# toolkit for code generation that allows developers to write templates in plain C# instead of specialized templating languages. It generates code in any language or text format, combining programmatic control with markup-like simplicity through string interpolation. The toolkit solves the complexity and maintenance issues of traditional code generators like T4 by leveraging familiar C# syntax and the full .NET ecosystem.

Target Audience

C# developers and .NET teams who need to automate code generation for tasks like generating POCOs from databases, creating API clients from OpenAPI specs, or producing configuration files. It's ideal for those seeking a modern, debuggable alternative to T4 templates.

Value Proposition

Developers choose CodegenCS because it eliminates the learning curve of new templating languages, provides seamless debugging in Visual Studio, and offers automatic indentation control that avoids the whitespace issues common in other generators. Its hybrid model balances simplicity for straightforward templates with the power of full C# for complex logic.

Overview

C# Toolkit for Code Generation (T4 alternative!)

Use Cases

Best For

Generating C# POCO classes from a database schema

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Creating API client code from OpenAPI/Swagger specifications

Automating boilerplate code generation in .NET projects

Producing configuration files like YAML, JSON, or Terraform scripts

Building multi-file code generators with consistent indentation

Integrating code generation into CI/CD pipelines with CLI tools

Not Ideal For

Teams in polyglot environments preferring language-agnostic templating engines like Jinja or Handlebars
Projects requiring lightweight, runtime templating for web pages where integrated solutions like Razor Pages are more suitable
Developers who need simple, declarative templates without the overhead of a full programming language; DSL-based tools might be better

Pros & Cons

Pros

Hybrid Templating Flexibility

Enables mixing programmatic C# logic with markup-like string interpolation, balancing power and maintainability for complex code generation tasks.

Automatic Indentation Control

Preserves indentation intelligently across nested blocks and subtemplates, critical for languages like Python and avoiding whitespace issues common in other generators.

Native .NET Ecosystem Integration

Leverages full .NET support, including dependency injection, async/await, and Visual Studio debugging, reducing boilerplate and enhancing developer experience.

Built-in Models and CLI Tooling

Includes ready-to-use models like DatabaseSchema for reverse engineering and a cross-platform CLI for automation in CI/CD pipelines, speeding up common workflows.

Cons

C#-Centric Learning Curve

Templates must be written in C#, requiring familiarity with .NET syntax and idioms, which can be a barrier for non-C# developers or teams using other languages.

Setup Overhead for Simple Use Cases

For basic templating needs, the dependency on .NET runtime and the hybrid model's complexity might be excessive compared to lighter-weight alternatives.

Limited Cross-Platform Appeal Beyond .NET

While the CLI is cross-platform, the core reliance on .NET libraries and tooling makes it less attractive for projects outside the Microsoft ecosystem.

Open Source Alternative To

CodegenCS is an open-source alternative to the following products:

T

T4 Templates

T4 (Text Template Transformation Toolkit) is a template-based code generation engine built into Visual Studio that allows developers to generate text files (typically source code) from templates with embedded logic.

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