macos-design-guidelines
This skill distills Apple's Human Interface Guidelines into actionable rules for macOS development. Learn how to implement standard menu structures, keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, fullscreen support, and toolbars that power users expect. Includes SwiftUI and AppKit code examples for every pattern.
macOS Design Guidelines helps you build native Mac apps following Apple's HIG with proper menus, windows, and keyboard controls.
AI-generated summary based on this skill's SKILL.md
Decision gist · record as of 2026-03-19
macOS Design Guidelines helps you build native Mac apps following Apple's HIG with proper menus, windows, and keyboard controls. This skill distills Apple's Human Interface Guidelines into actionable rules for macOS development. Learn how to implement standard menu structures, keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, fullscreen support, and toolbars that power users expect. Includes SwiftUI and AppKit code examples for every pattern.
Use it when
- macos-design-guidelines emphasizes proper window lifecycle, resizing behavior.
- macos-design-guidelines provides comprehensive guidance on keyboard navigation and shortcuts for Mac applications.
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ehmo/platform-design-skills/macos
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Frequently asked questions
AI-generated answers based on this skill's SKILL.md and metadata
How to build Mac apps with SwiftUI following macOS design guidelines?
macos-design-guidelines teaches you to build native Mac apps using SwiftUI with proper menu bars, toolbars, and window management. The skill covers standard menu structures, keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, and fullscreen support that power users expect. You'll find actionable SwiftUI code examples for every pattern, from basic window setup to advanced features like split-view support and document-based app architecture.
What are the best practices for Mac app window management?
macos-design-guidelines emphasizes proper window lifecycle, resizing behavior, and fullscreen/split-view support as core Mac app expectations. The skill teaches how to implement standard window controls, manage multiple windows, and ensure your app respects macOS window management conventions. Examples cover both SwiftUI and AppKit approaches to window state, restoration, and user preferences.
How do you implement keyboard navigation in a Mac application?
macos-design-guidelines provides comprehensive guidance on keyboard navigation and shortcuts for Mac applications. The skill covers focus management, keyboard event handling, standard macOS shortcuts (Cmd+Z for undo, Cmd+S for save), and accessibility-compliant navigation patterns. You'll learn to implement Full Keyboard Access support and ensure every UI element is reachable without a mouse.
What accessibility features must Mac apps include?
macos-design-guidelines ensures your app meets macOS accessibility standards including VoiceOver support, Full Keyboard Access, and sufficient color contrast. The skill teaches focus management for screen readers, semantic labeling, and testing with macOS accessibility tools. Proper accessibility also improves usability for all users through better keyboard navigation and visual clarity.
How do you design Mac UI with sidebars and system-native patterns?
macos-design-guidelines covers modern macOS UI design using sidebars, popovers, and system-native visual patterns that users recognize. The skill includes SwiftUI examples for sidebar navigation, toolbar customization, and context menus. You'll learn visual effects like vibrancy and materials that create the polished Mac aesthetic while maintaining consistency with Apple's design language.
Should you use AppKit or SwiftUI for macOS development?
macos-design-guidelines addresses the AppKit vs SwiftUI choice by showing both frameworks' strengths. SwiftUI excels for modern, declarative UI with built-in macOS support; AppKit provides deeper system integration and legacy compatibility. The skill teaches when each is appropriate and how to combine them—SwiftUI for new features, AppKit for specialized needs like advanced window management or Services menu integration.
SKILL.md
Rendered from the published skill. Quoted content, verbatim.
macOS Human Interface Guidelines
Mac apps serve power users who expect deep keyboard control, persistent menu bars, resizable multi-window layouts, and tight system integration. These guidelines codify Apple's HIG into actionable rules with SwiftUI and AppKit examples.
1. Menu Bar (CRITICAL)
Every Mac app must have a menu bar. It is the primary discovery mechanism for commands. Users who cannot find a feature will look in the menu bar before anywhere else.
Rule 1.1 — Provide Standard Menus
Every app must include at minimum: App, File, Edit, View, Window, Help. Omit File only if the app is not document-based. Add app-specific menus between Edit and View or between View and Window.
```swift // SwiftUI — Standard menu structure @main struct MyApp: App { var body: some Scene {
(truncated - see the full file via the links below)
File tree — 4 files
skills/macos/AGENTS.md
skills/macos/SKILL.md
skills/macos/metadata.json
skills/macos/rules/_sections.md
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Related skills
This skill covers Apple's Human Interface Guidelines tailored for macOS development. Learn to implement critical Mac UI patterns including menu bar structure, window management, resizable layouts, and keyboard shortcuts using SwiftUI and AppKit. Get actionable rules and code examples for building apps that respect Mac power users' expectations around deep keyboard control, persistent menus, and system integration.
Master the fundamentals of building apps that feel native to macOS. This skill covers essential patterns—from menu bar organization and keyboard navigation to multi-window support and Liquid Glass styling—plus a checklist for becoming a true "good Mac citizen." Learn the archetype framework, command mapping, and common pitfalls to avoid.
This skill covers the core patterns for building macOS applications, from choosing the right scene types (WindowGroup, DocumentGroup, Settings, MenuBarExtra) to managing multiple windows and menu bar integration. It explains when to use SwiftUI versus AppKit, how to gate platform-specific code, and provides practical guidance on Mac Catalyst for bringing iPad apps to macOS.
Master iPad-native design with comprehensive rules for responsive layouts, multitasking support, and pointer interactions. Learn to build adaptive interfaces that work across iPad Mini through Pro, handle Split View and Stage Manager resizing, implement sidebar navigation, and add trackpad hover effects—ensuring your app feels native on larger screens rather than a stretched iPhone.
iPadOS Design equips developers with comprehensive rules for creating native iPad experiences that leverage the platform's unique capabilities. Learn to build adaptive layouts across all iPad sizes, implement multitasking support for Split View and Stage Manager, and design intuitive navigation with sidebars and multi-column layouts. The skill covers pointer interactions, trackpad support, keyboard shortcuts, and responsive design patterns that transform iPad from a scaled iPhone into a powerful, capable canvas.
SwiftUI Patterns teaches you how to structure macOS applications using SwiftUI's native scene and view system. Learn when to use WindowGroup, Settings, MenuBarExtra, and other scene models; how to organize files and state ownership; and which system affordances—commands, toolbars, sidebars, inspectors—work best for desktop interactions. The skill covers everything from new app scaffolding to refactoring existing projects with proper file structure and adaptive design.
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