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macos-design-guidelines

Apply macOS Human Interface Guidelines to SwiftUI and AppKit app interfaces.

Updated Mar 7, 2026
Search Tags:#accessibility#macos#ui-design#swiftui#appkit#hig#keyboard-shortcuts
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest --skill macos-design-guidelines-helmordev
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-design-guidelines
Source: https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest/tree/main/.github/skills/macos-design-guidelines
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/helmordev/litera-quest --skill macos-design-guidelines-helmordev

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Many Mac applications feel like ports of mobile apps or ignore platform conventions, resulting in poor discoverability, weak keyboard support, inconsistent window management, and non-native visual treatments; these guidelines give developers and designers a clear, actionable checklist to make macOS apps behave like first-class Mac software.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Comprehensive Menu Guidance: Standard menu structure, dynamic menu state, and keyboard shortcut conventions to ensure discoverability and efficiency.
  • Windowing & Multi-window Behavior: Rules for resizable windows, fullscreen/split view support, traffic-light preservation, and state restoration.
  • Toolbars, Sidebars & Navigation: Patterns for unified toolbars, customizable toolbars, source-list sidebars, outline views, and badge/count behaviors.
  • Keyboard and Pointer Best Practices: Full keyboard navigation, shortcut mappings, hover and cursor affordances, context menus, and drag-and-drop conventions.
  • System Integration & Visual Design: Guidance on Dock, Spotlight, Quick Look, Shortcuts/AppleScript, system fonts, accent color, vibrancy, and accessibility considerations.
  • Use Cases: Designing a new macOS app with SwiftUI, auditing a Catalyst port for native behaviors, or reviewing AppKit layouts for keyboard and pointer interactions.

Quick Start

Apply the macOS design guidelines to ensure menus, keyboard shortcuts, resizable windows, and toolbar/sidebar patterns are implemented and tested before shipping.

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 native macOS menus and keyboard shortcuts in SwiftUI?▼

To design native macOS menus and keyboard shortcuts in SwiftUI, apply Human Interface Guidelines specifying concrete requirements for standard menu structure, dynamic menu state, and shortcut conventions to ensure discoverability.

What are the macOS Human Interface Guidelines for window management and toolbars?▼

macOS Human Interface Guidelines for window management and toolbars define rules for resizable windows, fullscreen support, traffic-light preservation, unified toolbars, customizable toolbars, and source-list sidebars.

Can I use these macOS design guidelines to audit an iOS Catalyst port?▼

Yes, you can use these macOS design guidelines to audit an iOS Catalyst port by reviewing the app for native behaviors, keyboard navigation, pointer interactions, and proper window and sidebar patterns.

What is the best way to implement keyboard navigation and pointer interactions for Mac apps?▼

The best way to implement keyboard navigation and pointer interactions for Mac apps is to apply guidelines covering full keyboard navigation, shortcut mappings, hover affordances, cursor behaviors, context menus, and drag-and-drop conventions.

Does AppKit layout need to follow specific accessibility and visual styling rules?▼

Yes, AppKit layout must follow specific accessibility and visual styling rules, including guidance on system fonts, accent colors, vibrancy, and accessibility considerations to ensure first-class native Mac software behavior.

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