macos-app-design

To design a native macOS app, align with system conventions like menu bar structures, resizable windows, and toolbars. Use SwiftUI or AppKit to implement standard UI patterns and ensure multi-window behavior matches macOS traditions for a polished user experience.

Key macOS UI patterns include standard menu bar structures, keyboard shortcuts, multi-window behavior, and sidebars. Integrating the Liquid Glass design system and using SF Symbols for icons ensures your app feels like a good Mac citizen.

Implement the Liquid Glass design system by applying its principles to your app's toolbars, icons, and typography. Combine this with native macOS UI patterns and SF Symbols to maintain a consistent, polished interface across SwiftUI or AppKit views.

Yes, you can use SwiftUI alongside AppKit to build multi-window macOS apps. The Skill provides guidance on architecting these apps to handle multi-window behavior, keyboard shortcuts, and menu bar integration while maintaining system conventions.

Audit your existing macOS app against Mac Citizen guidelines to evaluate menu bar structure, window behavior, and Liquid Glass patterns. Begin applying standard keyboard shortcuts, accessible UI elements, and consistent typography to align with native conventions.

Native macOS app design requires strict alignment with accessibility standards and performance optimization. You must ensure keyboard shortcuts are accessible, UI patterns are consistent using SF Symbols, and the complete design system supports efficient rendering.