Native AOT forced me to rewrite my entire .NET project

The creator of the HydraScript project sought to simplify distribution by removing the requirement for users to install the .NET Runtime. The solution was to switch to Native AOT, which compiles .NET applications into standalone binaries. However, the implementation proved far more complex than a simple .csproj configuration change. The developer had to perform a deep refactoring of the entire project, including adapting integration tests and resolving logging issues that arose during optimization. This experience highlights that Native AOT requires careful architectural preparation and consideration of limitations regarding dynamic code loading and reflection. The article details the challenges faced during the transition to native compilation and offers advice for those planning a similar process in their own .NET projects.