NativeAOT REST Client with MSAL
TL;DR
NativeAOT-compatible .NET NuGet package for backend engineers using MSAL-authenticated APIs that auto-generates strongly typed clients with built-in token refresh and configurable retry logic so they can reduce API-related bugs by 90% and cut manual HttpClient boilerplate from 5–10 hours/week to zero
Target Audience
.NET developers and backend engineers at tech companies using NativeAOT, especially those calling APIs with MSAL authentication.
The Problem
Problem Context
Developers using NativeAOT in .NET need a high-level REST client to call APIs with MSAL bearer tokens, strongly typed responses, and retry logic. ServiceStack (their current tool) doesn’t work with NativeAOT, forcing them to use lower-level alternatives like HttpClient, which lack these features.
Pain Points
They waste time manually writing HttpClient wrappers or debugging NativeAOT incompatibilities. Strongly typed responses and retries require custom code, increasing boilerplate. MSAL token acquisition is scattered across the app, making maintenance harder.
Impact
Delays in API integrations slow down feature releases. Manual workarounds introduce bugs (e.g., token expiration, retry failures). Teams lose productivity fixing these issues instead of building core functionality.
Urgency
This is a blocker for NativeAOT adoption. Without a solution, developers either abandon NativeAOT or accept technical debt from custom HttpClient code. The problem won’t fix itself—it requires a dedicated tool.
Target Audience
Backend engineers, API integrators, and .NET developers at mid-size to large tech companies using NativeAOT. Also affects teams migrating to NativeAOT for performance but stuck on API client limitations.
Proposed AI Solution
Solution Approach
A lightweight, NativeAOT-compatible REST client that handles MSAL bearer tokens, strongly typed responses, and automatic retries. Built as a NuGet package for easy integration, it replaces manual HttpClient code with a high-level abstraction.
Key Features
- MSAL Integration: Built-in bearer token acquisition and refresh logic, reducing boilerplate.
- Strongly Typed Responses: Auto-generates response models from OpenAPI/Swagger specs or custom DTOs.
- Retry Policies: Configurable retries for transient failures (e.g., 500 errors, timeouts).
User Experience
Developers add the NuGet package, configure the client with their API base URL and MSAL settings, and start making calls with strongly typed methods. Tokens auto-refresh; retries handle failures. No manual HttpClient code or token management needed.
Differentiation
Unlike HttpClient (too low-level) or Postman (no NativeAOT support), this tool is purpose-built for NativeAOT + MSAL. It combines all three features (NativeAOT, MSAL, strongly typed) in one package, saving hundreds of hours of dev time.
Scalability
Starts as a single-developer NuGet package. Scales with team adoption (seat-based pricing) and adds enterprise features like centralized token caching or custom middleware. Can integrate with CI/CD for automated API testing.
Expected Impact
Restores broken NativeAOT workflows immediately. Reduces API-related bugs (e.g., token issues, retries) by 90%. Saves 5–10 hours/week per developer on manual workarounds. Enables faster feature releases for teams blocked by API limitations.