Building PowerShell Modules with C# - Thomas Nieto

Building PowerShell Modules with C#
As .NET developers, we use PowerShell to automate tasks, manage cloud resources, and run DevOps pipelines. When it comes to managing enterprise systems, we often default to building standalone console applications just to provide a CLI interface. What if you could integrate your .NET applications directly with the shell instead? By building binary modules that reuse your existing .NET libraries, you can give your operations teams rich, native commands to manage systems without writing a single line of boilerplate console application code.

This session is designed for .NET developers who know their way around the shell but are ready to take the next step: building their own custom PowerShell modules and cmdlets using C#.

We will demystify the System.Management.Automation namespace and show you how easy it is to wrap your existing C# code into enterprise-grade binary modules. Along the way, we will cover architectural best practices so your cmdlets deliver a consistent, predictable experience identical to Microsoft’s built-in commands.

What you will learn:

* From Script to Module: The foundational architecture of a binary PowerShell module (`.dll` and `.psd1`) and how to set up your C# project.
* Writing Your First Cmdlet: How to use the `[Cmdlet]` attribute and override standard lifecycle methods (`BeginProcessing`, `ProcessRecord`) to handle data.
* Mastering Streams: Why you should stop using `Console.WriteLine` and how to properly map data to the Success, Error, Warning, and Verbose streams.
* Safety & Best Practices: Implementing proper error handling (terminating vs. non-terminating) and supporting safety features like `-WhatIf` and `-Confirm` (`ShouldProcess`).
* **Debugging & Inner Loop:** Tips for configuring your development environment to debug your C# cmdlets directly inside Visual Studio or VS Code with live breakpoints.
* **Shipping Your Code:** How to package your binary module and publish it securely to the PowerShell Gallery or an internal private repository.

You do not need to be a PowerShell guru to start. Bring your C# skills, and leave ready to build powerful and maintainable CLI tools that bridge the gap between your applications and your DevOps workflows.

Thomas Nieto (LinkedIn)
Thomas Nieto is a Principal Technology Architect at Oracle with over 15 years of IT experience specializing in automation and infrastructure. He is an active contributor to the open-source PowerShell community.

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