App features, start to finish (XAML)

[ This article is for Windows 8.x and Windows Phone 8.x developers writing Windows Runtime apps. If you’re developing for Windows 10, see the latest documentation ]

This start-to-finish series helps you add features to your app to engage your customers and to create the kind of experiences that draw people in and delight them. Each guide walks you through building an app from scratch to app certification. Start with a basic flat or hierarchical app and add features from there!

Start: Basic app

Flat navigation

Start with a basic app with flat navigation, app bar, app state, settings, and help.

Flat navigation guide

Sample

Hierarchical navigation

Start with a basic app with hierarchical navigation, app bar, app state, settings, and help.

Hierarchical navigation guide

Sample

App UI basics

Add content and controls to your app with a dynamic layout that's easy to use and navigate.

App UI basics guide

Sample

 

App state, data, and storage

App state and data roaming

Save and restore app data and the state of your app so that users can pick up right where they left off at any time, on any device.

App state and data guide

Sample

File handling

Add file handling capabilities to your app such as using file and folder pickers, enumerating files in a folder, creating files, reading and writing files, getting file properties, and working with Microsoft OneDrive files.

File handling guide

Sample

 

User interaction

Basic user interaction

Provide intuitive and consistent user experiences across all input devices using the built-in interaction behaviors of Windows Store app platform controls.

Basic user interaction guide

Sample

Custom user interaction

Process user input from a variety of sources, including touch, touchpad, mouse, pen/stylus, and keyboard to create a custom interaction experience that is responsive and intuitive.

Custom user interaction guide

Sample

 

Add more features

Media playback

Add media features that play audio and video while conserving battery life and optimizing rendering.

Media playback guide

Sample

Geofencing

Define a geographical region so you can send notifications to users when they enter or exit that area or are in proximity to friends or family.

Geofencing guide

Sample