IoT Edge Module Scaffolding Skill

This skill automates the creation of new Azure IoT Edge modules. Use this skill to scaffold a complete module structure including source code, Docker configuration, deployment manifests, and shared contracts.

Execution Environment

IMPORTANT: All bash commands MUST use Unix syntax regardless of platform.

• Always use Unix bash syntax (e.g.,

  test -d

  ,

  [ -f ]

  , etc.)
• NEVER use Windows CMD syntax (e.g.,

  if exist

  ,

  dir

  , etc.)
• NEVER pipe commands to null (

  2>/dev/null

  ,

  2>nul

  , etc.) - let all output and errors show naturally
• Bash is available on all platforms: native on Linux/macOS, via WSL/Git Bash on Windows
• Python scripts are cross-platform and handle path normalization internally

Communication Guidelines

Be concise and avoid stating obvious or expected behavior:

• Don't explain why assets are in the plugin directory (this is expected)
• Don't describe where script files "should" be located (this is obvious)
• Focus output on actionable information, progress, and actual errors only
• Avoid verbose explanations of normal/expected conditions

When to Use This Skill

Trigger this skill when the user requests to:

• Create a new IoT Edge module
• Scaffold an edge module
• Set up a new module for IoT Edge
• Add a new module to the edge deployment

Prerequisites

Before scaffolding a module, gather the following information from the user:

1. Module name (PascalCase, e.g., "DataProcessorModule")
2. Module description (brief description of module purpose)

Scaffolding Process

Follow these steps in order to scaffold a new IoT Edge module:

Step 1: Detect or Load Project Structure

Run the project structure detection script to identify existing patterns:

python scripts/detect_project_structure.py --root .

Step 1.5: Verify IoTEdgeModules Folder Structure

Check if the IoTEdgeModules folder exists:

If the detection script couldn't find

modules_base_path

Prompt user:

IoTEdgeModules folder not found. Where should modules be created?

1. Create at default location: src/IoTEdgeModules/modules/
2. Specify custom path
3. Cancel scaffolding

Choose option (1/2/3):

If option 1 selected:

• Create directory structure:

  src/IoTEdgeModules/
  ├── modules/
  └── config/
  

• Update detected configuration with this path

If option 2 selected:

• Prompt: "Enter custom IoTEdgeModules path (e.g., edge/modules/):"
• Validate path is reasonable
• Create directory structure at custom location
• Update detected configuration

If option 3 selected:

• Exit scaffolding with message: "Scaffolding cancelled by user"

What this detects:

• Modules base path (e.g.,

  src/IoTEdgeModules/modules

  )
• Contracts project path and name
• Deployment manifests location
• Project namespace
• Container registry URL
• NuGet feed URL (if configured)

Processing the output:

1. Parse the JSON output
2. If

   config_source

   is

   "saved"

   , use the saved configuration silently
3. If

   config_source

   is

   "detected"

   , present findings to user for confirmation
4. If detection fails or user rejects, prompt for each value manually

Confirmation prompt (if detected, not saved):

Display the detected configuration to the user in a clear, readable format:

Detected project structure:
• Modules location: <modules_base_path>
• Project namespace: <project_namespace>
• Container registry: <container_registry>
• Contracts project: <contracts_project_name> (<contracts_project_path>)
• Deployment manifests: <manifests_found count> found
• NuGet feed: <nuget_feed_url or "Not configured">

Then use AskUserQuestion tool to ask for confirmation:

• Question: "Use this detected configuration?"
• Header: "Config"
• Options:
  1. "Yes, use it" - "Proceed with the detected configuration"
  2. "Save and use" - "Save this configuration for future modules and use it now"
  3. "No, customize" - "Manually specify configuration values instead"

If user selects "Save and use":

python scripts/detect_project_structure.py --root . --save

If user selects "No, customize" or if detection fails, prompt for:

• Project namespace (e.g., "Company.IoT.EdgeAPI")
• Container registry URL (e.g., "myregistry.azurecr.io")
• Modules base path (default: "src/IoTEdgeModules/modules")
• Contracts project name and path (or "none" if not using shared contracts)

Step 2: Gather Module-Specific Information

Ask the user for:

Required:

1. Module name (PascalCase)
2. Module description

Optional Features:

A. Private NuGet Feed

• Ask: "Does this project require a private NuGet feed? (Yes/No)"
• If Yes and not detected: Prompt for NuGet feed URL
• If Yes and detected: Confirm detected URL or allow override

B. Shared Contracts Project

• If contracts project was detected: Automatically use it for module constants (no prompt needed)
• If not detected: Ask "Do you have a shared contracts project? (Yes/No/Create standalone)"

Step 3: Validate and Normalize Module Names

Convert the user-provided module name to required formats:

ModuleName (PascalCase):

• Remove "Module" suffix if present, then add it back
• Example: "DataProcessor" → "DataProcessorModule"
• Example: "DataProcessorModule" → "DataProcessorModule"

modulename (lowercase):

• Convert ModuleName to lowercase
• Example: "DataProcessorModule" → "dataprocessormodule"

Confirm with user using AskUserQuestion tool:

Present the module details and ask for confirmation:

• Question: "Proceed with creating this module?"
• Header: "Confirm Module"
• Options:
  • "Yes, create module" → Continue to Step 4
  • "No, use different name" → Go back to Step 2 (gather module name)

Display in the question description:

Module will be created as:
• C# class name: <ModuleName>
• Module ID: <modulename>
• Directory: <modules_base_path>/<modulename>/

Do NOT assume "Yes" or proceed without using AskUserQuestion tool and getting explicit user confirmation

Step 4: Create Module Directory Structure

Create the module directory:

<modules_base_path>/<modulename>/

Check if directory already exists (MUST use this exact bash syntax):

test -d "<modules_base_path>/<modulename>" && echo "EXISTS" || echo "NOT_EXISTS"

Note: Do NOT use Windows CMD syntax like

if exist

• If EXISTS: Ask user "Module directory exists. Overwrite? (Yes/Rename/Cancel)"
• If Rename: Prompt for new name and restart from Step 3

Step 5: Generate Module Files from Templates

Use the template files in

assets/

Placeholder substitutions:

{{ModuleName}}

{{modulename}}

{{ModuleDescription}}

{{CONTAINER_REGISTRY}}

{{PROJECT_NAMESPACE}}

{{MODULE_CSPROJ_PATH}}

<modules_base_path>/<modulename>/<ModuleName>.csproj

{{MODULE_PUBLISH_PATH}}

{{CONTRACTS_PROJECT_REFERENCE}}

{{CONTRACTS_CSPROJ_COPY}}

{{NUGET_CONFIG_SECTION}}

Conditional placeholder handling:

A. Contracts Project Reference (

{{CONTRACTS_PROJECT_REFERENCE}}

Calculate relative path from module directory to contracts directory:

Example:

• Module at:

  src/IoTEdgeModules/modules/mydemomodule/

• Contracts at:

  src/Company.IoT.Modules.Contracts/

• Relative path:

  ../../../Company.IoT.Modules.Contracts

  • Go up 3 levels:

    mydemomodule/

    →

    modules/

    →

    IoTEdgeModules/

    →

    src/

  • Then down to:

    Company.IoT.Modules.Contracts/

If using shared contracts:

  <ItemGroup>
    <ProjectReference Include="<relative-path-to-contracts>/<contracts_project_name>.csproj" />
  </ItemGroup>

If NOT using shared contracts:

  <!-- No shared contracts project -->

B. Contracts Dockerfile COPY (

{{CONTRACTS_CSPROJ_COPY}}

If using shared contracts:

COPY <contracts_project_path>/*.csproj ./src/

If NOT using shared contracts:

(empty - no COPY line)

C. NuGet Configuration (

{{NUGET_CONFIG_SECTION}}

If using private NuGet feed:

ENV VSS_NUGET_EXTERNAL_FEED_ENDPOINTS="{\"endpointCredentials\": [{\"endpoint\":\"<nuget_feed_url>\", \"username\":\"docker\", \"password\":\"${FEED_ACCESSTOKEN}\"}]}"

If NOT using private NuGet feed:

(empty - no ENV line)

Template file mappings:

template.csproj

<ModuleName>.csproj

template-module.json

module.json

template-Program.cs

Program.cs

template-Service.cs

<ModuleName>Service.cs

template-GlobalUsings.cs

GlobalUsings.cs

template-ServiceLoggerMessages.cs

<ModuleName>ServiceLoggerMessages.cs

template-Dockerfile.amd64

Dockerfile.amd64

template-Dockerfile.amd64.debug

Dockerfile.amd64.debug

template-.dockerignore

.dockerignore

template-.gitignore

.gitignore

template-launchSettings.json

Properties/launchSettings.json

Processing workflow:

For each template file listed in the table above, process sequentially:

1. Read the template file from

   assets/

2. Replace all placeholders with calculated values
3. Write to target location in module directory using the target filename from the table
4. Report progress: "✓ Created <filename>"

Process all 11 files one at a time before proceeding to Step 6.

Step 6: Create Shared Contract Constants (Conditional)

If using shared contracts project:

Directory:

<contracts_project_path>/<ModuleName>/

File:

<ModuleName>Constants.cs

Process:

1. Create directory if it doesn't exist
2. Read

   template-ModuleConstants.cs

3. Replace placeholders
4. Write to contracts project location

If NOT using shared contracts:

Directory:

<modules_base_path>/<modulename>/Contracts/

File:

<ModuleName>Constants.cs

Process:

1. Create

   Contracts/

   folder in module directory
2. Read

   template-ModuleConstants.cs

3. Replace

   {{PROJECT_NAMESPACE}}.Modules.Contracts

   with just

   {{ModuleName}}.Contracts

4. Write to module's Contracts folder

Step 6.5: Create LoggingBuilderExtensions (First Module Only)

This extension method is required for

AddModuleConsoleLogging()

If using shared contracts project:

Check if

<contracts_project_path>/Extensions/LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs

• If file exists: Skip this step (already created by previous module)
• If file does NOT exist: Create it

Directory:

<contracts_project_path>/Extensions/

File:

LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs

Process:

1. Create

   Extensions/

   directory if it doesn't exist
2. Read

   template-LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs

3. Replace

   {{PROJECT_NAMESPACE}}

   placeholder
4. Write to contracts project Extensions folder
5. Report to user: "✓ Created LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs in shared contracts project"

If NOT using shared contracts:

Directory:

<modules_base_path>/<modulename>/Extensions/

File:

LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs

Process:

1. Create

   Extensions/

   folder in module directory
2. Read

   template-LoggingBuilderExtensions.cs

3. Replace

   {{PROJECT_NAMESPACE}}.Modules.Contracts

   with

   {{ModuleName}}

4. Write to module's Extensions folder

Step 7: Scan and Select Deployment Manifests

Run the manifest scanning script:

python scripts/scan_manifests.py --root .

Process the output:

1. Parse JSON to get list of manifest files
2. If 0 manifests found: Go to Step 7.5 (create base manifest)
3. If 1 manifest found: Ask "Add module to <manifest_name>? (Yes/No)"
4. If multiple manifests found: Present selection list

Step 7.5: Handle "No Manifests Found" Scenario

If scan_manifests.py returns 0 manifests:

Prompt user:

No deployment manifests found. This appears to be the first module in the project.

Create a base deployment manifest with this module? (Yes/No)

If user selects No:

• Skip to Step 9 (README update)
• Inform user: "Module created without deployment manifest. You'll need to create a manifest manually."

If user selects Yes:

1. Prompt for manifest name:

   Manifest name (default: base): _
   

   • Accept user input or use "base" as default
   • Validate name (alphanumeric, dashes, underscores only)

2. Create base deployment manifest:

   • Read template:

     assets/template-base.deployment.manifest.json

   • Determine manifest path:

     <manifests_base_path>/{name}.deployment.manifest.json

   • If

     manifests_base_path

     not detected, use

     <modules_base_path>/../{name}.deployment.manifest.json

   • Write base manifest to file

3. Add the new module to the base manifest:

   • Run update script:

     python scripts/update_deployment_manifest.py \
       "<manifest_path>" \
       "<modulename>" \
       --registry "<container_registry>"
     

   • This adds the newly scaffolded module as the first custom module

4. Report to user:

   ✓ Created base deployment manifest: <manifest_path>
   ✓ Added <modulename> to manifest (startup order: 1)
   

Continue to Step 8 (or Step 9 if no updates needed)

Multi-manifest selection prompt:

Found <count> deployment manifests:

1. <manifest_basename> (<modules_count> modules)
   Path: <manifest_path>

2. <manifest_basename> (<modules_count> modules)
   Path: <manifest_path>

Which manifest(s) should include this module?
(Enter numbers separated by commas, or 'all', or 'none')

Step 8: Update Deployment Manifests (Automated)

For each selected manifest, run the update script:

python scripts/update_deployment_manifest.py \
  "<manifest_path>" \
  "<modulename>" \
  --registry "<container_registry>"

Process the output:

1. Check for

   "success": true

   in JSON output
2. Report to user: "✓ Added <modulename> to <manifest_name> (startup order: <startup_order>)"
3. If error: Report error and provide manual fallback instructions

Error handling:

If the script fails (e.g., module already exists, invalid JSON):

1. Show error message from script
2. Provide manual instructions:

Manual update required for <manifest_path>:

Add to $edgeAgent.properties.desired.modules:
{
  "<modulename>": {
    "version": "1.0",
    "type": "docker",
    "status": "running",
    "restartPolicy": "always",
    "startupOrder": <next-order>,
    "settings": {
      "image": "${MODULES.<modulename>}",
      "createOptions": {
        "HostConfig": {
          "LogConfig": {
            "Type": "json-file",
            "Config": {
              "max-size": "10m",
              "max-file": "10"
            }
          },
          "Mounts": [{
            "Type": "volume",
            "Target": "/app/data/",
            "Source": "<modulename>"
          }]
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to $edgeHub.properties.desired.routes:
{
  "<modulename>ToIoTHub": {
    "route": "FROM /messages/modules/<modulename>/outputs/* INTO $upstream",
    "priority": 0,
    "timeToLiveSecs": 86400
  }
}

Step 9: Update README.md (Optional)

Search for "Solution project overview" or "IoTEdge modules" section in README.md:

If section exists:

• Add entry:

  - **<modulename>** (\

  <module_path>`) - <ModuleDescription>`
• Insert alphabetically

If section doesn't exist:

• Ask user: "README.md section not found. Create it? (Yes/No)"

Step 9.5: Add Module to Solution File

Detect solution file:

Run the solution detection script:

python scripts/manage_solution.py --root . --detect

Process detection results:

If .slnx file found:

Automatically add module to solution:

python scripts/manage_solution.py \
  --root . \
  --add-module "<module_csproj_path>" \
  --module-name "<ModuleName>"

• Parse JSON output
• If

  action: "added"

  : Report "✓ Added to solution at position <insertion_index>"
• If

  action: "already_exists"

  : Report "Module already in solution"
• If

  action: "error"

  : Show error and continue

If .sln file found:

• Run manual instruction generator:

  python scripts/manage_solution.py \
    --root . \
    --add-module "<module_csproj_path>" \
    --module-name "<ModuleName>"
  

• Parse JSON output and display

  instructions

  field to user
• Recommend using:

  dotnet sln add "<module_csproj_path>"

If no solution file found:

• Skip this step
• Inform user: "No solution file found. Module created successfully without solution integration."

Step 10: Provide Summary and Next Steps

Summary of created files:

✓ Module scaffolding complete!

Created:
• Module directory: <module_full_path>/ (11 files)
• Constants file: <constants_full_path>
• LoggingBuilderExtensions: <"Created" or "Already exists - skipped">
• Updated manifests: <manifest_count> manifest(s) [or "Created base manifest" if first module]
• Solution integration: <"Added to .slnx" or "Manual instructions provided" or "Skipped">

Configuration:
• Container registry: <container_registry>
• Project namespace: <project_namespace>
• NuGet feed: <nuget_feed_url or "None">
• Shared contracts: <"Yes" or "No">

Next steps for the user:

1. Implement module logic:

   • Edit

     <ModuleName>Service.cs

   • Add business logic in

     ExecuteAsync()

   • Register direct method handlers if needed

2. Add dependencies (if needed):

   • Update

     <ModuleName>.csproj

     with additional NuGet packages
   • Add service registrations in

     Program.cs

3. Configure module (if needed):

   • Create options classes in

     Options/

     folder
   • Add environment variables to deployment manifest:

     "env": {
       "MyOptions__Setting": { "value": "value" }
     }
     

4. Test locally:

   • Use

     Properties/launchSettings.json

     for standalone mode
   • Run:

     dotnet run --project <module_path>

   • Module runs with mock IoT Hub client

5. Add direct methods (if needed):

   • Add method names to

     <ModuleName>Constants.cs

   • Register handlers in service:

     await moduleClient.RegisterMethodHandlerAsync(
         YourModuleConstants.DirectMethodName,
         HandleMethodAsync,
         stoppingToken);
     

6. Customize routing (if needed):

   • Default route: Module → IoT Hub (

     $upstream

     )
   • For module-to-module: Update route to use

     BrokeredEndpoint

   • Edit in deployment manifest

7. Build and deploy:

   • Build module Docker image
   • Push to container registry
   • Deploy manifest to IoT Hub

File paths for quick reference:

• Module source:

  <module_full_path>/

• Constants:

  <constants_full_path>

• Deployment manifest(s):

  <manifest_paths>

Reference Documentation

For detailed information, see reference files:

• references/module-structure.md

  - Complete module structure reference

• references/deployment-manifests.md

  - Deployment manifest reference

Load these when:

• User asks about module structure details
• User needs help with deployment manifest configuration
• Debugging scaffolding issues
• Understanding naming conventions

Common Customizations

After scaffolding, users may want to:

1. Add Quartz scheduler support:

• Add NuGet package

  Quartz

• Register:

  services.AddQuartz()

• Create

  Jobs/

  folder with

  IJob

  implementations

2. Add configuration options:

• Create

  Options/

  folder
• Define option classes
• Register:

  services.Configure<MyOptions>(hostContext.Configuration)

• Set via env vars in deployment manifest

3. Add module-to-module routing:

• Update route in deployment manifest:

  "route": "FROM /messages/modules/source/* INTO BrokeredEndpoint(\"/modules/target/inputs/input1\")"
  

4. Add host binds (replace volume mounts):

• Update deployment manifest

  createOptions

  :

  "Binds": ["/host/path/:/container/path/"]
  

5. Add privileged access (for device access like TPM):

• Update deployment manifest

  createOptions.HostConfig

  :

  "Privileged": true
  

6. Remove volume mount (for stateless modules):

• Delete

  Mounts

  section from deployment manifest

Error Handling

Module directory exists:

• Prompt: "Overwrite/Rename/Cancel"
• If Overwrite: Delete existing directory first
• If Rename: Go back to Step 3 with new name

Manifest update fails:

• Show error from Python script
• Provide manual update instructions
• Continue with other manifests

Detection fails:

• Fall back to manual prompts for each value
• Offer to save configuration for future runs

Missing Python:

• If Python not available, provide manual instructions for all steps
• Skip automated manifest updates, provide JSON templates

Advanced: Configuration File Format

Saved configuration (

.claude/.iot-edge-module-config.json

{
  "config_source": "detected",
  "modules_base_path": "src/IoTEdgeModules/modules",
  "contracts_project_path": "src/Company.Modules.Contracts",
  "contracts_project_name": "Company.Modules.Contracts",
  "manifests_base_path": "src/IoTEdgeModules",
  "project_namespace": "Company.IoT.EdgeAPI",
  "container_registry": "myregistry.azurecr.io",
  "nuget_feed_url": null,
  "has_contracts_project": true,
  "has_nuget_feed": false
}

Users can manually edit this file to override auto-detection.

Notes

• Module directory names: lowercase with "module" suffix (e.g.,

  dataprocessormodule

  )
• C# class names: PascalCase with "Module" suffix (e.g.,

  DataProcessorModule

  )
• Namespaces: PascalCase, no "module" suffix (e.g.,

  namespace DataProcessorModule;

  )
• All modules use non-root user (moduleuser, UID 2000) for security
• Build context is repo root (

  contextPath: "../../../"

  )
• Log rotation: 10MB max size, 10 files
• Default route: Module outputs →

  $upstream

  (IoT Hub)