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macos-design-guidelines

Applies Apple Human Interface Guidelines to macOS apps built with SwiftUI or AppKit.

Updated May 11, 2026
Search Tags:#desktop app#macos#swiftui#keyboard shortcuts#appkit#human interface guidelines#menu bar
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/cloudofgeorge/AI-hands-Engineer --skill macos-design-guidelines-cloudofgeorge
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-design-guidelines
Source: https://github.com/cloudofgeorge/AI-hands-Engineer/tree/main/skills/engineering/domains/macos/macos-design-guidelines
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/cloudofgeorge/AI-hands-Engineer --skill macos-design-guidelines-cloudofgeorge

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Building a Mac app that feels native requires knowing dozens of platform conventions—menu bars, keyboard shortcuts, window behavior, sidebars, and system integration—that are easy to miss when coming from iOS or web development. This Skill codifies Apple's Human Interface Guidelines into actionable rules with SwiftUI and AppKit code examples so Mac apps meet platform expectations. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Rule-based HIG coverage: Prioritized rules (CRITICAL, HIGH, MEDIUM) for menu bars, windows, toolbars, sidebars, keyboard, pointer interactions, notifications, system integration, and visual design. - SwiftUI and AppKit code examples: Each rule includes working code for both frameworks, covering CommandGroup menus, NavigationSplitView, toolbar customization, drag and drop, Spotlight indexing, and App Intents. - Shipping checklist and anti-patterns: An evaluation checklist plus a list of common mistakes (hamburger menus, fixed window sizes, missing Cmd+Z) to audit apps before release. - Use Case: When porting an iOS app to Mac via Catalyst, use this Skill to add a proper menu bar, keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, and source-list sidebar so the app behaves like a native Mac citizen. ## Quick Start Review my SwiftUI Mac app's window and menu setup against the macOS design guidelines and list any violations.

Frequently Asked Questions about macos-design-guidelines

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I add a menu bar with keyboard shortcuts to a SwiftUI Mac app?▼

Use the commands modifier on your WindowGroup with CommandGroup and CommandMenu to add items to standard menus. Attach keyboardShortcut to each button, following standard conventions like Cmd+N for New and Cmd+S for Save.

What are the key differences when porting an iOS app to macOS?▼

Mac apps require a menu bar, comprehensive keyboard shortcuts, resizable multi-window support, and sidebars instead of tab bars. Avoid iOS patterns like hamburger menus, bottom tab bars, and large touch-sized targets.

Does SwiftUI support customizable toolbars on macOS?▼

Yes. Use the toolbar modifier with an id parameter and ToolbarItem entries with unique ids to enable user customization. Apply windowToolbarStyle(.unified) for the modern unified title bar appearance.

How do I make a SwiftUI window resizable with a minimum size on Mac?▼

Apply frame(minWidth:minHeight:) to the window's content view and use defaultSize on the WindowGroup. In AppKit, set window.minSize directly. Never set a maximum size unless content truly cannot scale.

Why does my Mac app feel non-native even though it works?▼

Common causes include missing Cmd+Z undo, no right-click context menus, fixed window sizes, hardcoded colors that break Dark Mode, and modal sheets for simple actions. The anti-patterns checklist identifies these issues.

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