Best Practices for Writing Manifests with Windows Package Manager Manifest CreatorWindows Package Manager (winget) has become an essential tool for developers and system administrators who need to install, update, and manage software on Windows at scale. The Windows Package Manager Manifest Creator simplifies producing the YAML manifests that winget uses to describe packages, but producing high-quality manifests still requires attention to detail. This guide covers best practices for writing manifests using the Manifest Creator, from initial setup through publishing and maintenance.
Why Manifests Matter
A manifest is the canonical record that tells winget what a package is, where to fetch it, how to install it, and how to verify it. Well-written manifests provide:
- Reliable installations across systems and environments.
- Security by specifying hashes and trusted sources.
- User clarity through accurate metadata (description, license, publisher).
- Easier maintenance and automated updates.
Getting Started with Manifest Creator
- Install and update winget and Manifest Creator:
- Ensure you have the latest Windows Package Manager and Manifest Creator tool from the official sources.
- Prepare package assets:
- Collect installer files for each architecture and channel (stable, beta).
- Gather publisher info, official website, license, and release notes.
- Open Manifest Creator and create a new manifest project:
- Choose single-file or multi-file format depending on whether your package has multiple installers or locales.
Manifest Structure — Key Fields and Their Best Uses
- Id: Use a stable, reverse-domain identifier (e.g., com.contoso.app). Avoid changing Ids across versions.
- Name: Human-readable product name.
- Version: Follow semantic versioning where possible. Use consistent version formatting.
- Publisher: The official publisher name as shown on the product website.
- Tags: Add relevant tags (e.g., “developer”, “database”) to improve discoverability.
- Description: Keep it concise (one or two sentences) and informative; the first sentence is what users see in lists.
- Homepage and License: Link to official pages and SPDX license identifiers when possible.
- Installer(s): Include architecture, installer type (msi, exe, msix), installer URL, SHA256 hash, and commands for silent install if needed.
Security: URLs and Hashes
- Always supply a SHA256 hash for each installer to prevent tampering.
- Prefer HTTPS URLs hosted on official domains (vendor site, GitHub releases).
- If the vendor provides a static download URL, use it; otherwise, host installers at a stable, trusted location.
- For installers that require a redirection or download token, consider hosting a vetted mirror or using GitHub Releases (with stable asset URLs).
Handling Multiple Architectures and Locales
- Use multiple installer entries with “architecture” fields (x86, x64, arm64).
- For packages with different installers per locale, provide locale-specific manifest metadata or multiple manifests as appropriate.
- Use locales for descriptions and changelogs when supporting significant non-English user bases.
Installer Types and Silent Installation
- Prefer installers that support silent/unattended installation.
- Provide proper installer switches in the manifest’s “commands” or “silent” fields:
- MSI: usually /quiet or /qn
- EXE: vendor-specific; test to confirm silent behavior
- MSIX: generally supports silent install via winget infrastructure
- Test each installer command on clean VMs for each architecture.
Versioning and Update Strategy
- Use semantic versioning where possible (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH).
- For nightly or prerelease builds, append pre-release identifiers (e.g., 1.2.3-beta.4).
- Maintain separate channels/manifests for stable vs. pre-release versions.
- Automate manifest updates using CI/CD: fetch latest release, compute hash, update manifest, and run validation.
Testing and Validation
- Use winget validate commands and the Manifest Creator’s built-in validation to catch schema and field errors.
- Test installation and uninstallation processes on clean virtual machines representing supported Windows versions.
- Verify that the package appears correctly in winget searches and that metadata displays as expected.
Packaging Metadata Quality
- Write clear, non-promotional descriptions.
- Use accurate tags, categories, and publisher names to help users find and trust your package.
- Include release notes or changelogs where meaningful; keep them concise.
Accessibility and Compliance
- Ensure installer UX is accessible; include notes in the manifest if there are special installation requirements.
- Respect licensing and trademark rules when using names and logos in manifests.
Contributing to the Community Repository
- Follow repository contribution guidelines for the Windows Package Manager Community Repository.
- Submit clean pull requests with a single package change when possible.
- Include links to official download pages, license files, and release notes in your PR.
- Respond to reviewer feedback promptly and update manifests to address requested changes.
Maintenance and Monitoring
- Monitor package health: install failures, hash mismatches, or vendor changes.
- Keep manifests up to date when vendors change installer URLs or add architectures.
- Remove outdated installers and clearly deprecate old versions when necessary.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Missing or incorrect hashes — always recompute SHA256 after downloading.
- Using unstable or redirecting URLs — prefer static, official assets.
- Wrong installer switches — test silent install flags on real systems.
- Inconsistent Ids or version formatting — establish conventions and stick to them.
Example Checklist Before Publishing
- [ ] Id follows reverse-domain convention
- [ ] Version uses semantic format
- [ ] All installer URLs use HTTPS and official domains
- [ ] SHA256 hashes present and verified
- [ ] Silent install commands tested on clean VMs
- [ ] Descriptions, tags, and publisher info accurate
- [ ] License specified (SPDX if possible)
- [ ] Manifest validated with winget manifest tools
Conclusion
High-quality manifests make software distribution via winget reliable, secure, and user-friendly. Using the Manifest Creator streamlines manifest generation, but following the practices above ensures manifests remain accurate, maintainable, and trusted by the community. Well-maintained manifests reduce support burden, improve user experience, and help Windows admins and developers manage installations at scale.
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