macos-app-design
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."
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- 399
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/petekp/agent-skills --skill macos-app-design- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads macos-app-design automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
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 |
FAQ
What does the macos-app-design skill do?
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."
How do I install macos-app-design?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/petekp/agent-skills --skill macos-app-design in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/macos-app-design/ (personal) or .claude/skills/macos-app-design/ (project).
Which AI agents can use macos-app-design?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is macos-app-design safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains macos-app-design?
It is published by petekp in petekp/agent-skills. It has 399 recorded installs.
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