Consolidating AI docs and updating landingspage and ToC (#6646)

* Merge community page into support, remove common dev topics

Moved social media, blogs, videos, and Discord from community.md
into support.md under a new Stay connected section. Removed the
Common development topics section (duplicated content from the
main TOC). Deleted community.md with redirect. Updated TOC to
combine the entries as 'Support and community'.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

* Push

* Remove duplicate AI overview page, redirect to agentic-tools

Deleted ai-for-windows-developers.md — its AI coding tools content
duplicated agentic-tools.md. Updated TOC to point to agentic-tools
as the section landing page. Added redirect.

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

* Push

* Update apps-essentials-overview.md

* Push

* Push

* Update index.yml

* Fixes

* Update toc.yml

* Update toc.yml

* Update apps-essentials-overview.md

* Update toc.yml

* Add ai-modernize row to migration overview and nest agentic tutorials in TOC

- Added ai-modernize.md row to the Topics table in migrate-to-windows-app-sdk-ovw.md
- Restructured Agentic tools TOC: tutorials now nested under a Tutorials sub-item

Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

---------

Co-authored-by: Niels Laute <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>

Author: 3 people

.openpublishing.redirection.json

@@ -11420,6 +11420,36 @@
       "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/dev-tools/visual-studio",
       "redirect_document_id": false
     },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/whats-new/community.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/develop/support#stay-connected",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/get-started/ai-for-windows-developers.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/dev-tools/agentic-tools",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/how-tos/github-copilot-winui-vs.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/how-tos/ai-build",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/get-started/ai-build.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/how-tos/ai-build",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/get-started/ai-setup.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/how-tos/ai-setup",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
+    {
+      "source_path": "hub/apps/get-started/samples.md",
+      "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/dev-tools/samples",
+      "redirect_document_id": false
+    },
     {
       "source_path": "hub/apps/design/accessibility/accessibility.md",
       "redirect_url": "/windows/apps/design/accessibility/accessibility-overview",

hub/apps/desktop/index.yml

@@ -8,114 +8,95 @@ metadata:
   description: This documentation provides the latest guidance about building desktop apps for Windows 11.
   ms.topic: landing-page
   ms.collection: collection
-  ms.date: 11/25/2025
+  ms.date: 03/27/2026
   keywords: windows win32, desktop development
 
 # linkListType: architecture | concept | deploy | download | get-started | how-to-guide | learn | overview | quickstart | reference | tutorial | video | whats-new
 
 landingContent:
-  - title: Get ready for development
+  - title: Essentials
     linkLists:
       - linkListType: get-started
         links:
-          - text: What's new in Windows development
-            url: /windows/apps/whats-new/whats-new-for-developers
-          - text: Setup and tools
-            url: ../get-started/start-here.md
-          - text: An overview of UI frameworks
+          - text: Essentials
+            url: ../introduction.md
+          - text: Core concepts
             url: ../get-started/index.md
-          - text: Windows App SDK
-            url: ../windows-app-sdk/index.md
+          - text: Get started with WinUI
+            url: ../get-started/start-here.md
+          - text: Tools and samples
+            url: ../dev-tools/index.md
+          - text: Help and guidance
+            url: ../develop/support.md
+          - text: What's new
+            url: ../whats-new/whats-new-for-developers.md
 
-  - title: Design and UI
+  - title: Design
     linkLists:
       - linkListType: overview
         links:
-          - text: Design your app
+          - text: Design overview
             url: ../design/index.md
-          - text: Design resources and tools
+          - text: Design principles
+            url: ../design/design-principles.md
+          - text: Guidelines
+            url: ../design/guidelines-overview.md
+          - text: Tools and resources
             url: ../design/downloads/index.md
-          - text: Design for accessibility
-            url: ../design/accessibility/accessibility.md
-          - text: Design basics
-            url: ../design/basics/index.md
 
   - title: Develop
     linkLists:
       - linkListType: how-to-guide
         links:
-          - text: Develop apps
+          - text: Develop overview
             url: ../develop/index.md
-          - text: Best practices for Windows apps
-            url: ../get-started/best-practices.md
-          - text: Windows developer FAQ
-            url: ../get-started/windows-developer-faq.md
-          - text: Other development tools
-            url: /windows/dev-environment/
+          - text: Features
+            url: ../develop/features-overview.md
+          - text: Use features with other UI frameworks
+            url: ../desktop/modernize/index.md
+          - text: Platform
+            url: ../develop/platform/csharp-winrt/index.md
+          - text: API reference
+            url: ../api-reference/index.md
+          - text: Tools and samples
+            url: ../dev-tools/index.md
+          - text: Tutorials
+            url: ../winui/winui3/desktop-winui3-app-with-basic-interop.md
 
-  - title: Deploy
+  - title: Package and deploy
     linkLists:
-      - linkListType: overview
+      - linkListType: deploy
         links:
-          - text: Packaging and deployment overview
+          - text: Package and deploy overview
             url: ../package-and-deploy/index.md
-          - text: Learn about packaged and unpackaged apps
-            url: ../desktop/modernize/package-identity-overview.md
-          - text: Windows App SDK deployment guide
+          - text: Choose a packaging model
+            url: ../package-and-deploy/choose-packaging-model.md
+          - text: Packaging
+            url: ../package-and-deploy/packaging/index.md
+          - text: Windows App SDK deployment
             url: ../package-and-deploy/deploy-overview.md
-          - text: The MSIX app package format
-            url: /windows/msix
 
   - title: Distribute
     linkLists:
       - linkListType: overview
         links:
-          - text: Microsoft Store overview
+          - text: Publish overview
             url: ../publish/index.md
+          - text: Get started with Microsoft Store
+            url: ../publish/get-started.md
           - text: Open a developer account
             url: ../publish/partner-center/open-a-developer-account.md
-          - text: Microsoft Store FAQ
-            url: ../publish/faq/get-started-with-the-microsoft-store.md    
-          - text: Microsoft Store Policies
-            url: ../publish/store-policies.md            
-
-  - title: Artificial intelligence and machine learning
-    linkLists:
-      - linkListType: concept
-        links:
-          - text: Windows AI
-            url: /windows/ai/
-          - text: GitHub Copilot extension for Visual Studio
-            url: /visualstudio/ide/visual-studio-github-copilot-extension
-          - text: App Actions on Windows
-            url: /windows/ai/app-actions/
-          - text: Windows ML
-            url: /windows/ai/new-windows-ml/overview
-
-  - title: API Reference
-    linkLists:
-      - linkListType: reference
-        links:
-          - text: WinRT API for the Windows SDK
-            url: /uwp/api/
-          - text: Win32 API for the Windows SDK
-            url: /windows/win32/api/
-          - text: WinRT API for the Windows App SDK
-            url: /windows/windows-app-sdk/api/winrt/
-          - text: Win32 API for the Windows App SDK
-            url: /windows/windows-app-sdk/api/win32/
-          - text: WinUI for UWP API reference
-            url: /windows/winui/api/
-  
-  - title: Community and support
-    linkLists:
-      - linkListType: overview
-        links:
-          - text: Microsoft Q&A Forum
-            url: /answers/questions/
-          - text: "@WindowsDocs"
-            url: https://twitter.com/WindowsDocs
-          - text: OneDevMinute on Microsoft Learn
-            url: /shows/One-Dev-Minute/?WT.mc_id=odm-c9-niner
-          - text: Windows developer support
-            url: https://developer.microsoft.com/windows/support
+          - text: Submit your app
+            url: ../publish/publish-your-app/msix/reserve-your-apps-name.md
+          - text: Get your app certified
+            url: ../publish/publish-your-app/msix/app-certification-process.md
+          - text: Monitor your app performance
+            url: ../publish/analyze-app-performance/msix.md
+          - text: Manage and update your app
+            url: ../publish/publish-your-app/msix/publish-update-to-your-app-on-store.md
+          - text: Leverage developer tools
+            url: ../publish/product-page-experiments.md
+          - text: Manage your account
+            url: ../publish/partner-center/manage-account-users.md
+          - text: Microsoft Store policies and resources
+            url: ../publish/store-policies.md

hub/apps/dev-tools/agentic-tools.md

@@ -68,11 +68,9 @@ The WinUI 3 plugin addresses this directly: its custom instructions give Copilot
 
 ## Set up step-by-step
 
-For a complete walkthrough — including IDE setup, agent mode, MCP server configuration, and verification — see [Set up GitHub Copilot for Windows development](../get-started/ai-setup.md).
+For a complete walkthrough — including IDE setup, agent mode, MCP server configuration, and verification — see [Set up GitHub Copilot for Windows development](../how-tos/ai-setup.md).
 
 ## Related content
 
-- [Set up GitHub Copilot for Windows development](../get-started/ai-setup.md)
-- [AI-assisted Windows development](../get-started/ai-for-windows-developers.md)
-- [Build apps with AI built in](../get-started/ai-for-windows-developers.md#build-apps-with-ai-built-in) — Foundry Local, Phi Silica, and Windows AI APIs
-- [GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio](../how-tos/github-copilot-winui-vs.md)
+- [Set up GitHub Copilot for Windows development](../how-tos/ai-setup.md)
+- [Tutorial: Build a Windows app with GitHub Copilot](../how-tos/ai-build.md)

hub/apps/dev-tools/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+---
+title: Tools and samples for Windows app development
+description: Explore tools, samples, and AI-powered resources for building Windows apps, including Visual Studio, agentic AI tools, code samples, and the winapp CLI.
+ms.topic: overview
+ms.date: 03/27/2026
+---
+
+# Tools and samples for Windows app development
+
+Build Windows apps more efficiently with the right tools, samples, and AI-powered resources. Whether you're setting up your development environment, looking for sample code to learn from, or enhancing your AI coding agent with Windows-specific context, this section brings together everything you need to be productive as a Windows app developer.
+
+| Resource | Description |
+|---|---|
+| [Agentic AI tools](agentic-tools.md) | Enhance your AI coding agent with Windows-specific context using the Microsoft Learn MCP Server and community plugins like the WinUI 3 Development plugin for GitHub Copilot. |
+| [Code samples](samples.md) | Browse sample apps that demonstrate Windows features, API usage patterns, and end-to-end scenarios — including the WinUI 3 Gallery and Windows App SDK samples. |
+| [Visual Studio](visual-studio.md) | The recommended IDE for building Windows apps with WinUI and the Windows App SDK, featuring XAML Hot Reload, Live Visual Tree, and rich debugging. |
+| [Windows App Development CLI (winapp CLI)](winapp-cli/index.md) | A command-line interface for managing Windows SDKs, packaging, app identity, manifests, certificates, and build tools across any app framework. |

hub/apps/get-started/samples.md hub/apps/dev-tools/samples.mdhub/apps/get-started/samples.md renamed to hub/apps/dev-tools/samples.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ This page contains links to resources that can make you more efficient as you de
 
 ## Samples
 
-:::image type="content" source="./images/WASDK.png" alt-text="Header image for Windows App SDK" border="false":::
+:::image type="content" source="../get-started/images/WASDK.png" alt-text="Header image for Windows App SDK" border="false":::
 
 The [**WindowsAppSDK-Samples repository**](https://github.com/microsoft/WindowsAppSDK-Samples) provides a collection of code samples that demonstrate how to use the Windows App SDK to build modern Windows applications. These samples cover key features such as WinUI 3, app lifecycle, windowing, and push notifications, offering practical, hands-on guidance for developers. Whether you're new to the Windows App SDK or looking for specific implementation details, this repository serves as a valuable resource to accelerate development and explore best practices. You can find other samples in our [Samples Browser](/samples/browse/).
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ The [**WindowsAppSDK-Samples repository**](https://github.com/microsoft/WindowsA
 
 ## WinUI 3 Gallery
 
-:::image type="content" source="./images/winui3gallery.png" alt-text="Header image for WinUI 3 Gallery" border="false":::
+:::image type="content" source="../get-started/images/winui3gallery.png" alt-text="Header image for WinUI 3 Gallery" border="false":::
 
 The [**WinUI 3 Gallery**](https://github.com/microsoft/WinUI-Gallery) is the must-have companion app for WinUI developers. It's a sample app that showcases the full range of  WinUI controls, styles, design guidance, and capabilities. This interactive gallery helps you explore and experiment with WinUI components, view XAML code examples, and understand best practices for building modern, fluent Windows applications. Whether you're designing a new app or refining an existing UI, the WinUI 3 Gallery is an essential reference for leveraging the power of WinUI in your projects. You can either [browse the repository](https://github.com/microsoft/WinUI-Gallery) for source code or [**download the WinUI 3 Gallery from the Microsoft Store**](https://aka.ms/winuigallery).
 
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ The [**WinUI 3 Gallery**](https://github.com/microsoft/WinUI-Gallery) is the mus
 
 ## Windows Community Toolkit
 
-:::image type="content" source="./images/WCT.png" alt-text="Header image for Windows Community Toolkit" border="false":::
+:::image type="content" source="../get-started/images/WCT.png" alt-text="Header image for Windows Community Toolkit" border="false":::
 
 The [**Windows Community Toolkit**](https://github.com/CommunityToolkit/Windows) is an open-source collection of helper functions, custom controls, and app services. It simplifies and demonstrates common developer tasks when building apps for Windows.