Plaster is a template-based file and project generator written in PowerShell. Its purpose is to streamline the creation of PowerShell module projects, Pester tests, DSC configurations, and more. File generation is performed using crafted templates which allow the user to fill in details and choose from options to get their desired output.

Plaster 2.0 introduces JSON manifest support alongside the traditional XML format, bringing modern tooling and improved developer experience:

• Modern Syntax: Clean, readable JSON instead of verbose XML
• Better Tooling: VS Code IntelliSense with JSON Schema validation
• Simplified Variables: Use ${ParameterName} instead of ${PLASTER_PARAM_ParameterName}
• Native Arrays: No more comma-separated strings for multichoice defaults
• No Escaping: No XML entity escaping required (& instead of &)

• Zero Breaking Changes: All existing XML templates continue to work
• Automatic Detection: Plaster automatically detects and processes both formats
• Side-by-Side Support: Templates can include both XML and JSON manifests
• Seamless Migration: Convert existing XML templates to JSON when ready

Install-Module -Name Plaster -Scope CurrentUser

git clone https://github.com/PowerShell/Plaster.git
Import-Module .\Plaster\Plaster\Plaster.psd1

# Discover available templates
Get-PlasterTemplate

# Create a new PowerShell module (interactive)
$template = Get-PlasterTemplate | Where-Object Name -eq NewPowerShellModule
Invoke-Plaster -TemplatePath $template.TemplatePath -DestinationPath .\MyNewModule

# Non-interactive with parameters
Invoke-Plaster -TemplatePath $template.TemplatePath -DestinationPath .\MyModule `
    -ModuleName 'MyModule' -ModuleDesc 'My awesome module' -Version '1.0.0' `
    -FullName 'Your Name' -License MIT -Options Git,Pester,PSScriptAnalyzer

# Create a new JSON manifest
New-PlasterManifest -TemplateName MyTemplate -TemplateType Project -Format JSON

# Edit the generated plasterManifest.json with VS Code for full IntelliSense
code plasterManifest.json

# Create a new XML manifest
New-PlasterManifest -TemplateName MyTemplate -TemplateType Project

# Edit the generated plasterManifest.xml
code plasterManifest.xml

{
  "$schema": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/PowerShell/Plaster/v2/schema/plaster-manifest-v2.json",
  "schemaVersion": "2.0",
  "metadata": {
    "name": "MyTemplate",
    "title": "My PowerShell Template",
    "description": "Creates a new PowerShell project",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "templateType": "Project"
  },
  "parameters": [
    {
      "name": "ProjectName",
      "type": "text",
      "prompt": "Enter the project name"
    },
    {
      "name": "Features",
      "type": "multichoice",
      "prompt": "Select features to include",
      "default": [0, 1],
      "choices": [
        {"label": "&Tests", "value": "Tests"},
        {"label": "&Build Script", "value": "Build"}
      ]
    }
  ],
  "content": [
    {
      "type": "file",
      "source": "template.ps1",
      "destination": "${ProjectName}.ps1"
    }
  ]
}

Templates are directories containing:

• Manifest File: plasterManifest.xml or plasterManifest.json (or both)
• Source Files: Files and directories to be copied/processed
• Template Files: Files with variable substitution (using <%= and %> delimiters)

Define user inputs with various types:

• text: Free-form text input
• choice: Single selection from options
• multichoice: Multiple selections from options
• user-fullname: User's full name (with git integration)
• user-email: User's email (with git integration)

Define what the template does:

• file: Copy files/directories
• templateFile: Copy and expand template files
• modify: Modify existing files with search/replace
• newModuleManifest: Generate PowerShell module manifests
• requireModule: Verify required modules are installed
• message: Display messages to users

# Automatic conversion
$xmlManifest = Test-PlasterManifest -Path .\plasterManifest.xml
ConvertTo-JsonManifest -InputObject $xmlManifest -OutputPath .\plasterManifest.json

# Or use New-PlasterManifest with conversion
New-PlasterManifest -TemplateName MyTemplate -TemplateType Project -ConvertFromXml

When converting to JSON, update variable references:

XML Format:

<file source="template.ps1" destination="${PLASTER_PARAM_ModuleName}.ps1"/>

JSON Format:

{
  "type": "file",
  "source": "template.ps1",
  "destination": "${ModuleName}.ps1"
}

{
  "type": "file",
  "source": "tests.ps1",
  "destination": "Tests/${ProjectName}.Tests.ps1",
  "condition": "${Features} -contains 'Tests'"
}

{
  "name": "ModuleName",
  "type": "text",
  "pattern": "^[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_]*$",
  "prompt": "Enter a valid module name"
}

Create culture-specific manifests:

• plasterManifest.json (default)
• plasterManifest_fr-FR.json (French)
• plasterManifest_de-DE.json (German)

Embed templates in PowerShell modules:

# Module manifest (*.psd1)
PrivateData = @{
    PSData = @{
        Extensions = @(
            @{
                Module = "Plaster"
                MinimumVersion = "2.0.0"
                Details = @{
                    TemplatePaths = @("Templates")
                }
            }
        )
    }
}

The examples directory contains comprehensive examples:

• NewModuleTemplate: Full-featured module template (XML + JSON)
• NewModule: Simplified module template
• NewDscResourceScript: DSC resource template
• TemplateModule: PowerShell module with embedded templates
• Validation Examples: Input validation patterns
• Localization Examples: Multi-language support

• Getting Started: Get-Help about_Plaster
• Creating XML Manifests: Get-Help about_Plaster_CreatingAManifest
• Creating JSON Manifests: Get-Help about_Plaster_CreatingJsonManifest
• Cmdlet Reference: Get-Help Invoke-Plaster, Get-Help New-PlasterManifest

• JSON Schema: Automatic validation and IntelliSense for JSON manifests
• PowerShell Extension: Template discovery and scaffolding support
• File Association: Associate .json files with Plaster schema

• Template Discovery: Built-in template browser
• Parameter Input: GUI for template parameters

We welcome contributions! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.

git clone https://github.com/PowerShell/Plaster.git
cd Plaster
Import-Module .\Plaster\Plaster.psd1
Invoke-Pester # Run tests

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

• PowerShell: https://github.com/PowerShell/PowerShell
• Pester: https://github.com/pester/Pester
• PSScriptAnalyzer: https://github.com/PowerShell/PSScriptAnalyzer
• platyPS: https://github.com/PowerShell/platyPS

Plaster 2.0 - Modern template scaffolding for PowerShell with JSON support, better tooling, and enhanced developer experience. 🚀