Using winapp CLI with Flutter

This guide demonstrates how to use the winapp CLI with a Flutter application to add package identity and package your app as an MSIX.

Package identity is a core concept in the Windows app model. It allows your application to access specific Windows APIs (like Notifications, Security, AI APIs, etc.), have a clean install/uninstall experience, and more.

Prerequisites

Flutter SDK: Install Flutter following the official guide.

winapp CLI: Install the winapp CLI via winget:

winget install Microsoft.winappcli --source winget

1. Create a new Flutter app

Follow the guide at the official Flutter docs to create a new application and run it.

2. Update code to check identity

Add the ffi package:

flutter pub add ffi

Replace the contents of lib/main.dart with the following code that checks for package identity using the Windows GetCurrentPackageFamilyName API via Dart FFI:

import 'dart:ffi';
import 'dart:io' show Platform;

import 'package:ffi/ffi.dart';
import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

String? getPackageFamilyName() {
  if (!Platform.isWindows) return null;

  final kernel32 = DynamicLibrary.open('kernel32.dll');
  final getCurrentPackageFamilyName = kernel32.lookupFunction<
      Int32 Function(Pointer<Uint32>, Pointer<Uint16>),
      int Function(
          Pointer<Uint32>, Pointer<Uint16>)>('GetCurrentPackageFamilyName');

  final length = calloc<Uint32>();
  try {
    final result =
        getCurrentPackageFamilyName(length, Pointer<Uint16>.fromAddress(0));
    if (result != 122) return null; // ERROR_INSUFFICIENT_BUFFER = 122

    final namePtr = calloc<Uint16>(length.value);
    try {
      final result2 = getCurrentPackageFamilyName(length, namePtr);
      if (result2 == 0) {
        return namePtr.cast<Utf16>().toDartString();
      }
      return null;
    } finally {
      calloc.free(namePtr);
    }
  } finally {
    calloc.free(length);
  }
}

void main() {
  runApp(const MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  const MyApp({super.key});

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      title: 'Flutter Demo',
      theme: ThemeData(
        colorScheme: ColorScheme.fromSeed(seedColor: Colors.deepPurple),
      ),
      home: const MyHomePage(title: 'Flutter Demo Home Page'),
    );
  }
}

class MyHomePage extends StatefulWidget {
  const MyHomePage({super.key, required this.title});
  final String title;

  @override
  State<MyHomePage> createState() => _MyHomePageState();
}

class _MyHomePageState extends State<MyHomePage> {
  int _counter = 0;
  late final String? _packageFamilyName;

  @override
  void initState() {
    super.initState();
    _packageFamilyName = getPackageFamilyName();
  }

  void _incrementCounter() {
    setState(() { _counter++; });
  }

  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return Scaffold(
      appBar: AppBar(
        backgroundColor: Theme.of(context).colorScheme.inversePrimary,
        title: Text(widget.title),
      ),
      body: Center(
        child: Column(
          mainAxisAlignment: MainAxisAlignment.center,
          children: [
            Container(
              padding: const EdgeInsets.all(16),
              margin: const EdgeInsets.only(bottom: 24),
              decoration: BoxDecoration(
                color: _packageFamilyName != null
                    ? Colors.green.shade50
                    : Colors.orange.shade50,
                borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(8),
                border: Border.all(
                  color: _packageFamilyName != null
                      ? Colors.green
                      : Colors.orange,
                ),
              ),
              child: Text(
                _packageFamilyName != null
                    ? 'Package Family Name:\n$_packageFamilyName'
                    : 'Not packaged',
                textAlign: TextAlign.center,
                style: Theme.of(context).textTheme.bodyLarge,
              ),
            ),
            const Text('You have pushed the button this many times:'),
            Text('$_counter',
                style: Theme.of(context).textTheme.headlineMedium),
          ],
        ),
      ),
      floatingActionButton: FloatingActionButton(
        onPressed: _incrementCounter,
        tooltip: 'Increment',
        child: const Icon(Icons.add),
      ),
    );
  }
}

3. Run without identity

Build and run the app:

flutter build windows
.\build\windows\x64\runner\Release\flutter_app.exe

You should see the app with an orange "Not packaged" indicator.

4. Initialize project with winapp CLI

winapp init

When prompted:

Package name: Press Enter to accept the default
Publisher name: Press Enter to accept the default or enter your name
Version: Press Enter to accept 1.0.0.0
Entry point: Press Enter to accept the default (flutter_app.exe)
Setup SDKs: Select "Stable SDKs" to download Windows App SDK and generate C++ headers

5. Debug with identity

Build the app:
```
flutter build windows
```

Apply debug identity:

winapp create-debug-identity .\build\windows\x64\runner\Release\flutter_app.exe

Run the executable:

.\build\windows\x64\runner\Release\flutter_app.exe

You should see the app with a green indicator showing the Package Family Name.

Note

After running flutter clean or rebuilding, you'll need to re-run create-debug-identity since the executable is replaced.

6. Package with MSIX

Build for release:
```
flutter build windows
```

Prepare package directory:

mkdir dist
copy .\build\windows\x64\runner\Release\* .\dist\ -Recurse

Generate a development certificate:
```
winapp cert generate --if-exists skip
```

Package and sign:

winapp pack .\dist --cert .\devcert.pfx

Install the certificate (run as administrator):
```
winapp cert install .\devcert.pfx
```
Install the package:
```
Add-AppxPackage .\flutter-app.msix
```

Tip

The Microsoft Store signs the MSIX for you, no need to sign before submission.
Azure Trusted Signing is a great way to manage certificates securely for CI/CD pipelines.

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Last updated on 2026-03-05