petekp/macos-app-design
skills/macos-app-design/SKILL.md
Use when designing or building native macOS applications with SwiftUI or AppKit. Triggers on menu bar structure, keyboard shortcuts, multi-window behavior, Liquid Glass design system, macOS Tahoe/Sequoia, sidebar navigation, toolbar design, app icons, SF Symbols, or making an app feel like a "good Mac citizen."
$ install --global
skillsauthnpx skillsauth add petekp/agent-skills macos-app-designInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
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TrivyContainer and dependency vulnerability scanner
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Last scanned: May 15, 2026, 5:46 AM30.1s2 files scanned
SKILL.md
- name:
- macos-app-design
- description:
- Use when designing or building native macOS applications with SwiftUI or AppKit. Triggers on menu bar structure, keyboard shortcuts, multi-window behavior, Liquid Glass design system, macOS Tahoe/Sequoia, sidebar navigation, toolbar design, app icons, SF Symbols, or making an app feel like a "good Mac citizen.
macOS App Design & Development
Guide for designing and implementing native-feeling, "good Mac citizen" apps: fast, elegant, accessible, and deeply integrated with macOS workflows.
Two Rules That Beat Everything Else
- Prefer system components and conventions over bespoke UI—fastest path to "feels right on Mac"
- If you customize bars, backgrounds, borders, or control chrome: stop and justify it
Quick Reference: Mac Citizen Checklist
| Area | Requirement | |------|-------------| | Menu Bar | Standard layout (App/File/Edit/View/Window/Help), ⌘, for Settings | | Keyboard | Every primary command reachable via keyboard, standard shortcuts work | | Windows | Resize fluidly, support multiple windows, respect fullscreen/minimize | | Sidebars | Top-level navigation, scannable items, content extends behind | | Toolbars | Group by function/frequency, demote secondary to "more" menu | | Text | Use system text components, standard editing behaviors | | Accessibility | VoiceOver labels, full keyboard navigation, Reduced Motion support |
Liquid Glass Quick Rules
Do:
- Use for navigation/controls layer (toolbars, sidebars, bars)
- Let system components provide built-in behaviors
Don't:
- Apply to content layer (tables, lists, document content)
- Stack "glass on glass"
App Archetypes
Identify your app type first:
- Document-based: Files as primary units (open/save/duplicate)
- Library + editor: Sidebar lists items, detail in main area
- Utility: Single window, optional menu bar
- Menu-bar app: Lives in menu bar, minimal UI
- Pro tool: Dense, power-user workflows
Deliverables Before Building
- App archetype identified
- Information architecture (sidebar structure, navigation, window model)
- Command map (menus + keyboard shortcuts for every major feature)
- State + data model (persistence, undo/redo, concurrency)
- Accessibility plan (VoiceOver, keyboard, contrast, reduce motion)
Full Reference
For complete design system details, Icon Composer workflow, SF Symbols guidance, evaluation rubrics, and Definition of Done checklist:
See: references/macos-design-guide.md
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix | |---------|-----| | Missing menu bar commands | Every feature in menus with keyboard shortcuts | | Settings outside App menu | Always ⌘, opening from App menu | | Custom text components | Use system text for Mac editing ecosystem | | Toolbar overload | Demote secondary actions, group by function | | Glass on content | Reserve Liquid Glass for navigation layer only | | Breaking standard shortcuts | Never override ⌘C, ⌘V, ⌘Z, etc. | | Single-window only | Support multiple windows when it benefits workflows |
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