Fix API documentation and examples; add comprehensive documentation suite
- Example5: Fix format string bugs (alignment specifier placement, SafeMemoryHandle formatting) - Example4: Fix DetourManager.Detour() → Create() in all doc strings - Example3: Fix MemoryBase.CreateFunction() → InProcessInvoker.CreateFunction() in doc strings - Examples 1-5: Correct all runtime errors and API mismatches vs actual WhiteMagic API - README: Fix DetourManager.Detour() examples to use Create(); add missing code fence markers - Add WhiteMagic.Examples project with 5 comprehensive example files (40+ sub-examples) - Add docfx.json and toc.md for DocFX API reference generation - Add 5 conceptual guides: architecture, memory-access, execution-models, hooking, troubleshooting - Ensure zero errors, zero warnings across all projects (net8.0-windows) Doc strings now teach correct APIs; runtime format bugs eliminated; build succeeds.
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# Execution Models in WhiteMagic
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WhiteMagic provides three distinct execution strategies, each designed for specific payload safety requirements. Choosing the right model is critical for avoiding crashes and ensuring reliable operation.
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## The Problem: Thread-Affinity Crashes
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When automating or debugging a target application, the most common failure mode is calling target functions on the wrong thread. Many applications (especially games, UI apps, and applications with scripting engines) have **single-threaded state**:
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- Scripting VMs (Lua, Python, custom engines)
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- Render contexts (Direct3D, OpenGL)
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- Object models and state machines
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- UI message pumps
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If you call these functions from a thread you created via `CreateRemoteThread`, they race the target's main thread → memory corruption → crash.
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**WhiteMagic's solution:** Split execution by payload safety, making the crash-safe path the default.
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---
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## Model 1: RemoteThreadExecutor (CreateRemoteThread)
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### Mechanism
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Creates a new thread in the target process via `CreateRemoteThread`, executes a call stub, and waits for the exit code.
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### Use Cases ✅
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**SAFE for thread-agnostic payloads:**
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- Pure WinAPI calls (`GetTickCount`, `GetCurrentProcessId`)
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- Self-contained computations
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- `LoadLibrary` (DLL injection)
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- Code that touches only memory you own
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### Avoid ❌
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**UNSAFE for single-threaded target state:**
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- Scripting engine entry points
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- Render operations (Direct3D calls)
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- Game state queries/modifications
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- UI interactions
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- Object model traversal
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### Usage Example
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```csharp
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using WhiteMagic;
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using WhiteMagic.Assembly;
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using var magic = Magic.Open(targetProcess);
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// Example: Call GetTickCount (thread-safe WinAPI)
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var getTickCount = magic["kernel32"]["GetTickCount"];
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uint ticks = getTickCount.Execute<uint>(CallConvention.Stdcall);
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// Example: Call a function that doesn't touch thread-local state
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int result = magic.RemoteThread.Execute<int>(
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functionAddress,
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CallConvention.Cdecl,
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arg1, arg2, arg3
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);
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```
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### Performance
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- **Latency:** ~1-2ms (thread creation + execution + join)
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- **Throughput:** Limited by thread creation overhead
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- **Best for:** One-shot calls, initialization, DLL injection
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### Risks
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- **Crash risk:** HIGH if touching single-threaded state
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- **Detection:** Easily detected by anti-cheat (new thread creation)
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- **Overhead:** Thread creation is not cheap
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---
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## Model 2: MainThreadPump (Crash-Safe) ⭐
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### Mechanism
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Installs a detour on a **per-frame function** (a function called every frame, like D3D's `EndScene`) and drains a thread-safe work queue there each frame.
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### How It Works
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1. **Detour installation:** Hook a per-frame function at `frameAddress`
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2. **Queue enqueue:** Caller enqueues a delegate via `Enqueue<T>()`
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3. **Frame execution:** Target's main thread runs the hook each frame
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4. **Queue drain:** Hook checks queue, executes pending work items
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5. **Result return:** `TaskCompletionSource` delivers result/exception
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### Use Cases ✅
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**SAFE for state-sensitive calls:**
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- Game state modifications (health, position, inventory)
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- Scripting engine calls
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- UI interactions
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- Render operations
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- Object model traversal
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- **Any function that assumes main-thread context**
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### Usage Example
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```csharp
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using WhiteMagic;
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using WhiteMagic.Execution;
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using var magic = Magic.Open(targetProcess);
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// Create a pump that hooks a per-frame function
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// (e.g., D3D9 EndScene, or any per-frame handler)
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var pump = magic.CreateMainThreadPump(frameAddress);
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// Enqueue work that runs on the target's main thread
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int health = await pump.Enqueue(() =>
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{
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// Safe to touch game state here
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return magic.Memory.Read<int>(healthAddress);
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});
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// Modify game state safely
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await pump.Enqueue(() =>
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{
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magic.Memory.Write(healthAddress, 999);
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});
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// Call a function that requires main-thread context
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var result = await pump.Enqueue(() =>
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{
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var fn = magic["target"]["ProcessInput"];
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return fn.Execute<int>(CallConvention.ThisCall, inputPtr);
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});
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```
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### Finding a Frame Function
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**Common per-frame functions:**
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- Direct3D 9: `EndScene` (device + 0x44 vtable entry)
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- Direct3D 11: Present callbacks
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- OpenGL: SwapBuffers callbacks
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- Custom: Many games have a `Update` or `Render` function per frame
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**Helper for D3D9:**
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```csharp
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// Find D3D9 device and resolve EndScene
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IntPtr d3dDevice = FindD3D9Device(magic);
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IntPtr endScene = magic.Memory.Read<IntPtr>(d3dDevice + 0x44); // VTable
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var pump = magic.CreateMainThreadPump(endScene);
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```
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### Performance
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- **Latency:** ~1 frame (16-33ms at 30-60 FPS)
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- **Throughput:** Limited by frame rate and work item duration
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- **Best for:** Repeated state-sensitive calls, game mods, automation
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### Safety Features
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- **Crash-safe:** Runs on target's own thread
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- **Exception propagation:** Exceptions in work items propagate to caller
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- **Timeout handling:** Can detect wedged work items
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- **Queue bounded:** Prevents unlimited queue growth
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### Risks
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- **Frame overhead:** Hook adds per-frame overhead (keep work items short)
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- **Wedged work item:** A stuck work item stalls the frame (detectable via timeout)
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- **Frame function needed:** Requires finding a per-frame function (application-specific)
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---
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## Model 3: InProcessInvoker (Direct Delegates)
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### Mechanism
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Once a managed DLL is injected into the target, creates native delegates via `Marshal.GetDelegateForFunctionPointer` and calls them directly.
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### Use Cases ✅
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**When injected in-process:**
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- Direct function calls with zero thread crossing
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- High-performance repeated calls
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- Full .NET interop capabilities
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### Usage Example
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```csharp
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using WhiteMagic;
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using WhiteMagic.Execution;
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// Only works when injected in-process
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using var magic = Magic.OpenInProcess();
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// Create a delegate to a native function
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var getName = magic.Memory.CreateFunction<GetNameDelegate>(
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getNameAddress
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);
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// Call directly as a delegate
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string name = getName(12345);
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// Delegate signature
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[UnmanagedFunctionPointer(CallingConvention.Cdecl)]
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public delegate string GetNameDelegate(int id);
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```
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### When to Use
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- **After injection:** Your managed DLL is already in the target
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- **Performance-critical:** Need sub-microsecond call latency
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- **Complex interop:** Need to pass complex structures or callbacks
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### Performance
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- **Latency:** <1μs (direct function call)
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- **Throughput:** Highest (no thread crossing)
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- **Best for:** In-process tools, profilers, injected helpers
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### Limitations
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- **In-process only:** Requires managed DLL injection
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- **No crash-safety benefit:** Still subject to thread-affinity issues
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- **Requires loader:** Need a CLR host or injection bootstrapper
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---
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## Choosing the Right Model
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### Decision Flowchart
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```
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Are you injected in-process?
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├─ Yes → Use InProcessInvoker (direct delegates)
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└─ No → Does the call touch single-threaded state?
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├─ Yes → Use MainThreadPump (crash-safe)
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└─ No → Use RemoteThreadExecutor (CreateRemoteThread)
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```
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### Practical Guidelines
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| Scenario | Model | Reason |
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|----------|-------|--------|
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| DLL injection | RemoteThreadExecutor | `LoadLibrary` is thread-safe |
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| Read health bar | MainThreadPump | Game state is main-thread-affine |
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| Call GetTickCount | RemoteThreadExecutor | WinAPI, no thread affinity |
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| Script engine call | MainThreadPump | Script VM is main-thread-only |
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| Injected profiling | InProcessInvoker | Already in-process, max performance |
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| Window mutation | RemoteThreadExecutor | WinAPI `SetWindowPos` is thread-safe |
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### Common Mistakes
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❌ **Wrong:** Using `RemoteThreadExecutor` for game state reads
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```csharp
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// UNSAFE: Will crash in most games
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int health = magic.RemoteThread.Execute<int>(
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readHealthFn,
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CallConvention.Cdecl
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);
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```
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✅ **Right:** Using `MainThreadPump` for game state
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```csharp
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// SAFE: Runs on game's main thread
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int health = await pump.Enqueue(() =>
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magic.Memory.Read<int>(healthAddress)
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);
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```
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---
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## Comparison Summary
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| Feature | RemoteThreadExecutor | MainThreadPump | InProcessInvoker |
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|---------|---------------------|----------------|------------------|
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| **Safety** | Thread-agnostic only | Crash-safe | In-process context |
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| **Latency** | ~1-2ms | ~1 frame (16-33ms) | <1μs |
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| **Detection risk** | High (new thread) | Low (detour) | None (in-process) |
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| **Best for** | One-shot calls, DLL injection | State-sensitive calls | In-process tools |
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| **Setup cost** | Low | Medium (need frame fn) | High (need injection) |
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| **Throughput** | Low | Medium | Highest |
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---
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## Advanced Topics
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### Bypassing Anti-Cheat
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**RemoteThreadExecutor** is easily detected (new thread creation). For stealth:
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1. **Use MainThreadPump:** Detours are harder to detect than thread creation
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2. **Thread hijacking:** For one-shot calls, hijack an existing thread (see `CodeInjector`)
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### Combining Models
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```csharp
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// Use RemoteThreadExecutor to inject DLL
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magic.RemoteThread.Execute<IntPtr>(
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loadLibraryAddress,
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CallConvention.Stdcall,
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dllPathPtr
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);
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// Now injected, switch to InProcessInvoker
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using var inProcess = Magic.OpenInProcess();
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var fn = inProcess.Memory.CreateFunction<MyDelegate>(address);
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```
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### Error Handling
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```csharp
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try
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{
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int result = await pump.Enqueue(() =>
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magic.Memory.Read<int>(address)
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);
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}
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catch (AccessViolationException)
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{
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// Address not readable
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}
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catch (TimeoutException)
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{
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// Work item wedged (stuck the frame)
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}
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```
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---
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## Further Reading
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- [Architecture](./architecture.md) — Overall system design
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- [Function Hooking](./hooking.md) — DetourManager internals
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- [Memory Access](./memory-access.md) — MemoryBase and MarshalCache
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