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macos-design-guidelines

Apply Apple's Human Interface Guidelines to macOS app design with SwiftUI or AppKit.

2|Updated Jun 1, 2026
Search Tags:#accessibility#macos#ui design#swiftui#appkit#human interface guidelines
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/tukuyomil032/Perch --skill macos-design-guidelines-tukuyomil032
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-design-guidelines
Source: https://github.com/tukuyomil032/Perch/tree/main/.agents/skills/macos-design-guidelines
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/tukuyomil032/Perch --skill macos-design-guidelines-tukuyomil032

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires swiftui, appkit, and includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides comprehensive guidelines and code examples for designing macOS applications that adhere to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, ensuring a consistent and intuitive user experience.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Menu Bar Design: Guidelines for creating standard menus, keyboard shortcuts, and dynamic menu updates.
  • Window Management: Best practices for window resizing, full-screen support, and window state persistence.
  • Toolbars: How to implement user-customizable toolbars with icons and text labels.
  • Sidebars: Designing sidebars for navigation, including source list style, drag-to-reorder, and badge counts.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Ensuring all interactive elements are accessible via keyboard, with conventions for modifiers and commands.
  • Pointer and Mouse Interactions: Guidelines for hover states, context menus, drag-and-drop, and multi-selection.
  • Notifications and Alerts: Best practices for using Notification Center and alerts with suppression options.
  • System Integration: Integrating with the Dock, Spotlight, Quick Look, Share menu, and Services menu.
  • Visual Design: Using system fonts, vibrancy, system accent color, and dark mode support.
  • Popovers: Designing popovers for transient context-sensitive content.
  • Accessibility: Ensuring VoiceOver, Full Keyboard Access, and other assistive technologies work seamlessly.

Quick Start

Read the SKILL.md file for detailed guidelines and code examples for each section of the macOS Human Interface Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions about macos-design-guidelines

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I implement macOS Human Interface Guidelines for sidebars and toolbars?▼

To implement macOS Human Interface Guidelines for sidebars and toolbars, follow specific rules for user-customizable toolbar icons, text labels, source list styles, drag-to-reorder, and badge counts to ensure a consistent user experience.

What's the best way to design macOS window management and menu bars?▼

The best way to design macOS window management and menu bars involves applying guidelines for standard menus, keyboard shortcuts, dynamic updates, window resizing, full-screen support, and window state persistence.

Do I need SwiftUI or AppKit knowledge to build macOS user interfaces?▼

Yes, you need existing SwiftUI or AppKit knowledge to use these guidelines effectively, as the provided code examples and implementation patterns rely on understanding these macOS UI frameworks.

How does macOS handle accessibility, keyboard shortcuts, and pointer interactions?▼

macOS handles accessibility, keyboard shortcuts, and pointer interactions by requiring all interactive elements to be keyboard accessible, supporting VoiceOver, and defining specific hover states, context menus, and drag-and-drop behaviors.

Can I use system fonts, vibrancy, and dark mode in my macOS app design?▼

Yes, you can use system fonts, vibrancy, system accent colors, and dark mode support in your macOS app design to align with visual design standards and ensure native system integration.

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