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macos-design-guidelines

Provides macOS app design guidance adhering to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines using SwiftUI and AppKit examples.

Updated Aug 23, 2026
Search Tags:#macos#ux design#ui design#swiftui#appkit#apple guidelines
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/elysiaerica/ai_context_vault --skill macos-design-guidelines-elysiaerica
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-design-guidelines
Source: https://github.com/elysiaerica/ai_context_vault/tree/main/.codex/AGENT%20SKILLS/platform-design-skills-main/platform-design-skills-main/skills/macos
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/elysiaerica/ai_context_vault --skill macos-design-guidelines-elysiaerica

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) and assets (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides a comprehensive guide to Apple's macOS Human Interface Guidelines, ensuring app designers and developers adhere to the platform's standards for a consistent and user-friendly experience.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Menu Bar Guidelines: Establishes standards for menu structure, keyboard shortcuts, and dynamic menu updates.
  • Windows and Fullscreen: Offers guidance on window resizing, fullscreen support, multiple windows, and title bar management.
  • Toolbars: Details best practices for toolbar design, customization, and keyboard shortcut integration.
  • Sidebars: Outlines design principles for sidebars, including leading edge, collapsibility, and source list style.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Ensures every interactive element is keyboard accessible, with focus on primary, variant, and secondary actions.
  • Pointer and Mouse Interaction: Emphasizes responsive hover states, right-click context menus, and drag-and-drop functionality.
  • Notifications and Alerts: Provides best practices for non-intrusive notifications and alerts.
  • System Integration: Covers Dock icons, Spotlight search, Quick Look support, and Share Extensions.
  • Visual Design: Emphasizes system fonts, vibrancy, dark mode support, and consistent spacing and layout.
  • Anti-Patterns: Alerts designers and developers to common pitfalls to avoid when designing for macOS.

Quick Start

To understand macOS design principles, begin by reviewing the 'Menu Bar' section in the macos-design-guidelines skill.

Frequently Asked Questions about macos-design-guidelines

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I design a macOS app sidebar that follows Apple Human Interface Guidelines?▼

To design a macOS app sidebar following Apple Human Interface Guidelines, you must implement principles for leading edge placement, collapsibility, and source list style to ensure proper visual hierarchy and navigation within your app window.

What are the macOS menu bar design standards for SwiftUI and AppKit?▼

macOS menu bar design standards require establishing a proper menu structure, implementing keyboard shortcuts, and supporting dynamic menu updates using either SwiftUI or AppKit to maintain a consistent platform experience.

Do I need to know SwiftUI to implement macOS toolbar guidelines?▼

You do not strictly need SwiftUI, as macOS toolbar guidelines can be implemented using AppKit as well. However, familiarity with macOS development tools and conventions is required to apply toolbar customization and keyboard shortcut integration correctly.

How does macOS handle window resizing and fullscreen support in native apps?▼

macOS handles window resizing and fullscreen support by providing specific guidelines for window resizing behaviors, multiple windows management, and title bar management to ensure seamless user experiences across different display configurations.

What are common macOS UI design anti-patterns to avoid?▼

Common macOS UI design anti-patterns to avoid include neglecting keyboard accessibility for interactive elements, ignoring right-click context menus, failing to support dark mode and vibrancy, and implementing non-native notifications and alerts.

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