Dependency Injection

AvalonDock v5 provides built-in support for Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection through the AvalonDock.DependencyInjection package.

For a full walkthrough, see Tutorial: Dependency Injection Deep Dive. The AvalonDockCodeApp sample project demonstrates all DI patterns.

Install

dotnet add package Dirkster.AvalonDock.DependencyInjection

Extension Methods Reference

Core Registration

Method	Purpose
`AddDockLayoutService(configure)`	Register `IDockLayoutService` with a builder to configure toolboxes and options
`AddDockLayoutService()`	Register `IDockLayoutService` without builder configuration

DockLayoutBuilder Methods

Used inside the AddDockLayoutService(dock => { ... }) builder:

Method	Purpose
`ConfigureToggleDock(configure)`	Configure sidebar button size, dock dimensions, layout priority
`AddToolbox<T>()`	Register a toolbox VM as singleton
`AddToolbox<T>(factory)`	Register a toolbox VM with a custom factory

Additional Services

Method	Purpose
`AddAvalonDock<TFactory>()`	Register a custom `IFactory`
`AddAvalonDockSerializer<T>()`	Register a layout serializer
`AddAvalonDockThemeManager<T>()`	Register a theme manager
`AddDockingManager(factory)`	Register an `IDockingManager` wrapper
`AddAutoHideManager<T>()`	Register an auto-hide manager
`AddFloatingWindowService<T>()`	Register a floating window service
`AddDragDropHandler<T>()`	Register a drag-and-drop handler
`AddDockLayoutService<T>()`	Register a custom `IDockLayoutService` implementation

Recommended Setup (v5 Pattern)

This matches the pattern used in the AvalonDockCodeApp sample:

using AvalonDock.Core;
using AvalonDock.DependencyInjection;
using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;

var services = new ServiceCollection();

// Configure dock layout: toggle dock options + toolboxes in one call
services.AddDockLayoutService(dock =>
{
    dock.ConfigureToggleDock(opts =>
    {
        opts.ButtonSize = 28;
        opts.DefaultDockWidth = 280;
        opts.DefaultDockHeight = 220;
        opts.LayoutPriority = nameof(DockLayoutPriority.BottomFullWidth);
    });

    // Register toolboxes — order determines sidebar button order
    dock.AddToolbox<ExplorerToolbox>();
    dock.AddToolbox<SearchToolbox>();
    dock.AddToolbox<OutputToolbox>();
});

// Application view models and windows
services.AddSingleton<MainViewModel>();
services.AddSingleton<MainWindow>();

var provider = services.BuildServiceProvider();

ToggleDockOptions

Configure the sidebar and docking behavior via ConfigureToggleDock inside the builder:

services.AddDockLayoutService(dock =>
{
    dock.ConfigureToggleDock(opts =>
    {
        opts.ButtonSize = 28;                // Sidebar button size (px)
        opts.DefaultDockWidth = 280;         // Default width for side panes
        opts.DefaultDockHeight = 220;        // Default height for bottom panes
        opts.LayoutPriority = "BottomFullWidth";  // Layout restructuring mode
        opts.ShowHeaderMinimizeButton = true; // Show minimize in pane headers
        opts.ShowHeaderOptionsButton = true;  // Show options (⋯) in pane headers
    });
});

If ConfigureToggleDock is not called, default ToggleDockOptions are registered automatically.

Layout Priority Modes

Mode	Behavior	Similar To
`BottomFullWidth`	Bottom panel spans full width	JetBrains Rider
`SidesFullHeight`	Side panels span full height	VS Code
`Default`	No automatic restructuring	Classic AvalonDock

Factory Registration

For toolboxes that need constructor parameters, use the factory overload inside the builder:

services.AddDockLayoutService(dock =>
{
    dock.AddToolbox<FolderExplorerToolbox>(sp =>
        new FolderExplorerToolbox(filePath => { /* callback */ }));
});

WPF App Integration

public partial class App : Application
{
    private IServiceProvider? _serviceProvider;

    protected override void OnStartup(StartupEventArgs e)
    {
        base.OnStartup(e);

        var services = new ServiceCollection();
        ConfigureServices(services);
        _serviceProvider = services.BuildServiceProvider();

        var mainWindow = _serviceProvider.GetRequiredService<MainWindow>();
        mainWindow.Show();
    }

    protected override void OnExit(ExitEventArgs e)
    {
        (_serviceProvider as IDisposable)?.Dispose();
        base.OnExit(e);
    }
}

Remove StartupUri="MainWindow.xaml" from App.xaml when using DI — the window is created via GetRequiredService<MainWindow>().

Applying Options in MainWindow

The MainWindow receives the view model and dock options via constructor injection:

public partial class MainWindow : Window
{
    public MainWindow(MainViewModel viewModel, ToggleDockOptions? dockOptions = null)
    {
        DataContext = viewModel;
        InitializeComponent();

        if (dockOptions != null)
        {
            dockManager.ButtonSize = dockOptions.ButtonSize;
            dockManager.DefaultDockWidth = dockOptions.DefaultDockWidth;
            dockManager.DefaultDockHeight = dockOptions.DefaultDockHeight;
            dockManager.ShowHeaderMinimizeButton = dockOptions.ShowHeaderMinimizeButton;
            dockManager.ShowHeaderOptionsButton = dockOptions.ShowHeaderOptionsButton;

            if (Enum.TryParse<DockLayoutPriority>(dockOptions.LayoutPriority, out var priority))
                dockManager.LayoutPriority = priority;
        }
    }
}

Resolving Services in View Models

public class MainViewModel
{
    private readonly IDockLayoutService _dockService;

    public MainViewModel(IDockLayoutService dockService)
    {
        _dockService = dockService;
    }

    // Typed access to any registered toolbox
    public ExplorerToolbox? Explorer => _dockService.GetAnchorable<ExplorerToolbox>();
}