aspire
Aspire orchestration for cloud-native distributed applications in any language (C#, Python, Node.js, Go). Handles dependency management, local dev with Docker, Azure deployment, service discovery, and observability dashboards. Use when setting up microservices, containerized apps, or polyglot distributed systems.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/aspire/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How aspire Compares
| Feature / Agent | aspire | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | multi | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Aspire orchestration for cloud-native distributed applications in any language (C#, Python, Node.js, Go). Handles dependency management, local dev with Docker, Azure deployment, service discovery, and observability dashboards. Use when setting up microservices, containerized apps, or polyglot distributed systems.
Which AI agents support this skill?
This skill is compatible with multi.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Aspire Orchestration
## Overview
Code-first orchestration for polyglot distributed apps. AppHost defines topology, `aspire run` orchestrates locally, `azd deploy` deploys to Azure.
**Auto-activates** on keywords: aspire, microservices, distributed app, service discovery, orchestration
## Quick Start
```bash
# Install .NET 8+ and Aspire workload
# See: https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspire/fundamentals/setup-tooling
dotnet workload update
dotnet workload install aspire
# Create AppHost (orchestrates services in ANY language)
dotnet new aspire-apphost -n MyApp
# Basic AppHost - orchestrate Python, Node.js, .NET services
var builder = DistributedApplication.CreateBuilder(args);
var redis = builder.AddRedis("cache");
// Python service
var pythonApi = builder.AddExecutable("python-api", "python", ".").WithArgs("app.py").WithReference(redis);
// Node.js service
var nodeApi = builder.AddExecutable("node-api", "node", ".").WithArgs("server.js").WithReference(redis);
// .NET service
var dotnetApi = builder.AddProject<Projects.Api>("api").WithReference(redis);
builder.Build().Run();
# Run (orchestrates ALL languages)
aspire run # Dashboard opens at http://localhost:15888
```
## Core Workflows
### Project Setup
```bash
dotnet new aspire-apphost -n MyApp
dotnet new webapi -n MyApp.Api
dotnet add MyApp.AppHost reference MyApp.Api
```
**AppHost**: Resource topology in `Program.cs`
**ServiceDefaults**: Shared config (logging, telemetry, resilience)
**Services**: Your apps (APIs, workers, web apps)
### Dependency Configuration
```csharp
// PostgreSQL
var postgres = builder.AddPostgres("db").AddDatabase("mydb");
var api = builder.AddProject<Projects.Api>("api").WithReference(postgres);
// Redis
var redis = builder.AddRedis("cache").WithRedisCommander();
var api = builder.AddProject<Projects.Api>("api").WithReference(redis);
// RabbitMQ
var rabbitmq = builder.AddRabbitMQ("messaging");
var worker = builder.AddProject<Projects.Worker>("worker").WithReference(rabbitmq);
// Access in code (connection strings auto-injected)
builder.Services.AddStackExchangeRedisCache(options =>
{
options.Configuration = builder.Configuration.GetConnectionString("cache");
});
```
### Local Development
```bash
aspire run # Starts all services
```
**Dashboard** (localhost:15888): Resources, logs, traces, metrics
**Hot Reload**: Auto-rebuild on code changes
**Debugging**: Attach to individual services via IDE
### Cloud Deployment
See [Azure deployment guide](https://learn.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspire/deployment/azure/aca-deployment).
```bash
azd init # Initialize Azure Developer CLI
azd up # Deploy (generates Bicep → Azure Container Apps)
azd deploy -e production # Deploy to specific environment
```
**Generates:** Bicep → Container Apps + networking + managed identities
## Navigation Guide
**When setting up projects:**
- examples.md lines 8-31 → Minimal project
- examples.md lines 518-608 → Add Python service
- examples.md lines 610-669 → Add Node.js service
- examples.md lines 671-768 → Add Go service
**When adding infrastructure:**
- reference.md lines 47-148 → Database APIs (PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB)
- examples.md lines 39-95 → Redis integration
- examples.md lines 102-176 → PostgreSQL integration
**When deploying:**
- commands.md lines 215-288 → Full azd workflow
- examples.md lines 387-515 → Azure deployment walkthrough
- patterns.md lines 5-42 → HA configuration
**When debugging:**
- troubleshooting.md lines 5-112 → Orchestration failures
- troubleshooting.md lines 291-397 → Connection issues
- commands.md lines 131-179 → Debug commands
## Quick Reference
**Essential commands:** See commands.md for complete reference
**Polyglot patterns:**
```csharp
builder.AddProject<Projects.Api>("api"); // .NET
builder.AddExecutable("python-api", "python", ".").WithArgs("app.py"); // Python
builder.AddExecutable("node-api", "node", ".").WithArgs("server.js"); // Node.js
builder.AddExecutable("go-svc", "go", ".").WithArgs("run", "main.go"); // Go
```
**Service discovery:** `.WithReference(redis)` in AppHost → `GetConnectionString("cache")` in service
## Integration with Amplihack
**Command**: `/ultrathink "Setup Aspire for microservices"`
- prompt-writer clarifies requirements → architect uses reference.md for API design
- builder uses examples.md for implementation → reviewer checks patterns.md for best practices
- tester uses troubleshooting.md for validation
**Agent-Skill mapping**:
- architect → reference.md (API design)
- builder → examples.md (implementation)
- reviewer → patterns.md (best practices)
- tester → troubleshooting.md (validation)
- all agents → commands.md (CLI operations)