Consider the following code in HelloWorld.API.dll.

namespace HelloWorld.API {
    public class Praise {
        public static string Someone(string nameOfPersonToPraise) {
            return string.Format("{0} you're awesome!", 
                                 nameOfPersonToPraise);
        }
    }
}

Make the API available with the Add-Type cmdlet. This makes all the types in a .NET assembly available in the current session.

Add-Type -Path PATH_TO\HelloWorld.API.dll

Now the static method can be called by using the :: (two colons) syntax.

[HelloWorld.API.Praise]::Someone("eric")

The output is

eric you’re awesome!

The output can be further processed by using a variable to hold it.

$praised = [HelloWorld.API.Praise]::Someone("eric")
$praised.ToUpper();

The output is

ERIC YOU’RE AWESOME!

Gotcha

When developing remember that the assembly is locked after the Add-Type until the session ends.

When to use

We use this to setup our automated (test) environment with an API. No need for custom console applications, just plain powershell.

This works for all .NET assemblies. Use it wisely.