Creating a UI (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 ]

Learn how to choose the right UI surfaces for your Windows Store app, how to layout your app, and how to add controls and content for you app's UI. You can also learn how to create live tiles, the face of your app on the Start screen. The App features, start to finish series a great place to start as it gives you templates, full sample apps, and tutorials covering fundamental app development.

Before you begin  Be sure you've downloaded design assets and have read up on our overall design guidance. Key topics include Planning Windows Store apps and the index of detailed UX guidelines.

Create a great user interface for your Windows Store app

Get a head start with templates, samples and how tos for:

• Flat navigation template and sample
• Hierarchical navigation template and sample
• App UI basics sample (an interactive UI controls gallery sample)

Then dig into how you can create your own or modify one of the samples to build your own app UI:

• Defining layouts and navigation
• Adding controls and content

Then, give your UI personality and impact:

• Quickstart: Animating your UI
• Adding search to an app
• Quickstart: Adding app settings using XAML

Be sure you make a great first impression:

• Adding a splash screen
• Working with tiles, badges, and toast notifications

Related topics

Planning Windows Store apps

Detailed UX guidelines for Windows Store apps

App features, start to finish