.NET - Create a Simple Scaffolding Tool

We will use Text Template Transformation Toolkit also known as T4.

1. Create a console application.
   

   dotnet new console -o MyTool
   

2. Create a template file ClassTemplate.tt in the project directory.
   

   <#@ output extension=".cs" #>
   <#@ template language="C#" hostspecific="true" #>
   <#@parameter type="System.String" name="ClassName" #>
   public class <#=ClassName#>
   {  }
   

3. To process the template, we need a templating engine, Mono.TextTemplating is an open source implementation for that.
   

   dotnet add package Mono.TextTemplating
   

4. In Program.cs, write the code for processing the template.
   

   var className = args[0];
   var templatePath = Path.Combine(AppDomain.CurrentDomain.BaseDirectory, "ClassTemplate.tt");
   var outputPath = Path.Combine(Directory.GetCurrentDirectory(), className); 
   var generator = new Mono.TextTemplating.TemplateGenerator();
   
   var session = generator.GetOrCreateSession();
   session.Add("ClassName", className);
   
   generator.ProcessTemplate(templatePath, outputPath); 
   

5. Go to the desired directory and run:
   

   ProjectA> dotnet run path/to/MyTool Person
   

   This creates Person.cs in ProjectA directory:
   

   public class Person
   {  }
   

If you want to install and run it as a dotnet tool, read this.

Resource

Microsoft Docs