ipados-design-guidelines

Create iPad-optimized SwiftUI and UIKit interfaces with adaptive layouts and multitasking support.

Updated Mar 7, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest --skill ipados-design-guidelines-helmordev
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: ipados-design-guidelines
Source: https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest/tree/main/.github/skills/ipados-design-guidelines
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest --skill ipados-design-guidelines-helmordev

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

These guidelines solve the problem of treating iPad as a scaled-up iPhone by providing concrete rules to build adaptive, multitasking-ready interfaces that respect pointer, keyboard, and Pencil interactions and deliver consistent behavior across Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Adaptive Layouts & Navigation: Guidance for size-class aware layouts, sidebars, and two- or three-column navigation patterns to present richer content on larger iPad canvases.
  • Multitasking & Window Management: Requirements and examples for supporting Split View, Slide Over, multiple scenes, and Stage Manager resizing without losing state.
  • Pointer, Keyboard & Pencil Support: Best practices for hover effects, context menus, Cmd-key shortcuts discoverability, Scribble, and Pencil hover/pressure handling.
  • Drag & Drop and External Displays: Patterns for inter-app drag-and-drop, multi-item drags, spring-loading, and presenting extended content on external displays.
  • Use Case: Convert a single-column iPhone mail app into an iPad-native mail client with a persistent sidebar, three-column detail flow, pointer affordances, and full keyboard shortcut coverage.

Quick Start

Create an iPad-optimized SwiftUI layout with a sidebar, adaptive two- and three-column content regions, pointer hover effects, full Cmd-key shortcuts for primary actions, and robust split-view and Stage Manager resizing support.

Frequently Asked Questions about ipados-design-guidelines

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I design an iPad app for Split View and Stage Manager resizing?▼

Designing an iPad app for Split View and Stage Manager requires applying responsive size-class behaviors and adaptive layouts that maintain state during window resizing, ensuring seamless multitasking.

What are the iPad HIG guidelines for pointer support and keyboard shortcuts?▼

iPad HIG guidelines for pointer support specify implementing hover effects and context menus, while keyboard shortcuts require registering Cmd-key combinations for primary actions to ensure discoverability.

Does my SwiftUI app need separate layouts for iPad multitasking?▼

Your SwiftUI app needs adaptive layouts for iPad multitasking, utilizing size-class aware sidebars and two- or three-column navigation patterns to present richer content on larger canvases.

How do I implement drag-and-drop with NSItemProvider in an iPad app?▼

Implement drag-and-drop with NSItemProvider in an iPad app by using patterns for inter-app data transfer, supporting multi-item drags and spring-loading to interact with other applications.

What is the best way to convert an iPhone app to an iPad-native interface?▼

The best way to convert an iPhone app to an iPad-native interface is adding a persistent sidebar, three-column detail flow, pointer affordances, and full keyboard shortcut coverage.

When do I need to handle external display and scene lifecycle in iPadOS?▼

You need to handle external display and scene lifecycle in iPadOS when presenting extended content on external monitors and managing multiple scenes or windows without losing state.