macos-system-integration

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the problem of scattered, outdated documentation for macOS system-level integrations, providing a single, Apple-vetted resource for implementing sandboxed app features, system services, and cross-process workflows that meet current platform requirements.

Core Features & Use Cases

• SMAppService & Launch Services: Register login items, launch agents, and launch daemons with modern async/await APIs, replacing the deprecated SMLoginItemSetEnabled, with built-in handling for user approval flows in System Settings.
• Sandboxed File Access: Persist user-selected file access across app launches with security-scoped bookmarks, and coordinate cross-process file reads/writes with NSFileCoordinator to prevent data corruption.
• System Interaction Workflows: Implement custom clipboard and drag-and-drop types with NSPasteboard, index app content for Spotlight search with Core Spotlight, embed Quick Look previews, and automate other apps with AppleScript.
• Use Case: For example, use this Skill to add a background sync agent that launches at user login, implement drag-and-drop for custom project file types between your app and Finder, or index user documents so they appear in Spotlight search without manual reindexing logic.

Quick Start

Use the macos-system-integration skill to add a login item toggle to your macOS app that automatically directs users to System Settings for approval when the system requires it.