Portable WinForms APIs
LibreWinForms
Classic desktop APIs, carried onto a modern GPU stack.
Overview
Cross-platform WinForms-shaped APIs and SDK backed by ProGPU, Silk.NET, and the shared LibreWPF interop layer.
LibreWinForms explores how the established System.Windows.Forms surface can run over portable managed controls and a modern GPU renderer while retaining the application entry points developers already know.
Familiar System.Windows.Forms
Portable managed controls
GPU-backed drawing
WPF/WinForms interop
Built for
Where it fits.
- WinForms teams researching cross-platform options
- Tool vendors with classic desktop APIs
- Framework authors studying managed compatibility
Compatibility & status
In progress
Preview
Preview
Preview
In the work
Real output,
not a mockup.
Architecture
Clear layers.
Replaceable seams.
Application
A familiar public programming model defines the app.
Framework
Managed services coordinate layout, input, resources, and lifecycle.
Platform
Portable adapters connect rendering and operating-system services.
Quick start
From package
to first frame.
Choose the package workflow used by your repository, then start from the smallest working example. Replace VERSION with the current stable or prerelease version shown on NuGet.
<Project Sdk="LibreWinForms.Sdk/0.1.0-preview.11"> <PropertyGroup> <OutputType>WinExe</OutputType> <TargetFramework>net10.0</TargetFramework> <UseWindowsForms>true</UseWindowsForms> </PropertyGroup></Project><PackageReference Include="LibreWinForms.Sdk" Version="VERSION" /><PackageVersion Include="LibreWinForms.Sdk" Version="VERSION" />using System.Windows.Forms;
ApplicationConfiguration.Initialize();Application.Run(new MainForm());Package surface
Start focused.
Compose as needed.
Source, docs, samples, and releases
The repository is the source of truth.
Use the current documentation and samples, inspect changes, report issues, or support continued open-source maintenance.