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swift-api-design-macos

Design Swift APIs for macOS AppKit and Objective-C runtime interoperability.

1|Updated Jun 5, 2026
Search Tags:#swift#macos#error-handling#appkit#api-design#swift-package#objc-interop
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/LaughingJackalope/macos-skills --skill swift-api-design-macos
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: swift-api-design-macos
Source: https://github.com/LaughingJackalope/macos-skills/tree/main/swift-api-design-macos
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/LaughingJackalope/macos-skills --skill swift-api-design-macos

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the challenge of designing Swift APIs that work seamlessly with macOS-specific AppKit conventions, Objective-C interoperability, and system frameworks, eliminating common pitfalls like incorrect delegate naming, ObjC incompatibility, and improper error handling that lead to fragile, hard-to-maintain code.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • AppKit Delegate Naming: Follows strict AppKit delegate and data source naming conventions for clarity and consistency with system frameworks.
  • @objc Protocol Design: Guides proper @objc protocol setup, optional method handling, and ObjC representability for cross-language interoperability.
  • Error Type Design: Covers POSIXError, CocoaError, and custom LocalizedError implementation for reliable error handling across Swift and ObjC boundaries.
  • Swift Package Structure: Provides best practices for modular macOS library packaging with separated core, platform-specific, and umbrella targets.
  • Use Case: Ideal for developers building macOS frameworks, libraries, or large apps that need to expose clean, idiomatic Swift APIs that work with both Swift and Objective-C code, or distribute via Swift Package Manager.

Quick Start

Use the swift-api-design-macos skill to audit your macOS framework's public API surface for compliance with Swift API Design Guidelines and AppKit interoperability best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions about swift-api-design-macos

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

FAQPage Schema
How do I design Swift APIs that integrate correctly with AppKit and the Objective-C runtime?▼

Designing Swift APIs for macOS integration requires following AppKit delegate naming conventions, setting up @objc protocols for optional method handling, and ensuring proper ObjC representability for cross-language interoperability.

How do I structure a modular Swift Package for macOS framework development?▼

Structuring a modular macOS Swift package involves separating core logic, platform-specific targets, and umbrella targets to create a clean, distributable library architecture for macOS 26+.

Does this approach support auditing an existing macOS framework's public API surface?▼

Auditing an existing macOS framework's public API surface supports checking compliance with Swift API Design Guidelines and verifying AppKit interoperability best practices to eliminate fragile, hard-to-maintain code.

Why are my @objc protocol optional methods causing ObjC incompatibility issues in my macOS library?▼

ObjC incompatibility issues in macOS libraries often stem from incorrect @objc protocol setup and improper optional method handling, which requires strict adherence to ObjC representability and AppKit conventions.

When do I need to use @objc protocol compatibility for macOS AppKit delegate design?▼

You need @objc protocol compatibility for macOS AppKit delegate design when building frameworks that expose clean, idiomatic Swift APIs working seamlessly with both Swift and Objective-C system code.

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