MCPInstall

guide-macos-spm-packaging

by prisma-labs-devMobile

Scaffold, build, and package SwiftPM-based macOS apps without an Xcode project. Use when you need a from-scratch macOS app layout, SwiftPM targets/resources, a custom .app bundle assembly script, or signing/notarization/appcast steps outside Xcode.

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477
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Install

Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.

npx skills add https://github.com/prisma-labs-dev/apple-skills --skill guide-macos-spm-packaging
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads guide-macos-spm-packaging automatically when relevant.

  3. 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.

Guide Skill — This is an expert workflow/pattern guide, not API reference documentation. Originally from Dimillian/Skills by Thomas Ricouard. MIT License.

macOS SwiftPM App Packaging (No Xcode)

Overview

Bootstrap a complete SwiftPM macOS app folder, then build, package, and run it without Xcode. Use assets/templates/bootstrap/ for the starter layout and references/packaging.md + references/release.md for packaging and release details.

Two-Step Workflow

  1. Bootstrap the project folder

    • Copy assets/templates/bootstrap/ into a new repo.
    • Rename MyApp in Package.swift, Sources/MyApp/, and version.env.
    • Customize APP_NAME, BUNDLE_ID, and versions.

  2. Build, package, and run the bootstrapped app

    • Copy scripts from assets/templates/ into your repo (for example, Scripts/).
    • Build/tests: swift build and swift test.
    • Package: Scripts/package_app.sh.
    • Run: Scripts/compile_and_run.sh (preferred) or Scripts/launch.sh.
    • Release (optional): Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh and Scripts/make_appcast.sh.
    • Tag + GitHub release (optional): create a git tag, upload the zip/appcast to the GitHub release, and publish.

Minimum End-to-End Example

Shortest path from bootstrap to a running app:

# 1. Copy and rename the skeleton
cp -R assets/templates/bootstrap/ ~/Projects/MyApp
cd ~/Projects/MyApp
sed -i '' 's/MyApp/HelloApp/g' Package.swift version.env

# 2. Copy scripts
cp assets/templates/package_app.sh Scripts/
cp assets/templates/compile_and_run.sh Scripts/
chmod +x Scripts/*.sh

# 3. Build and launch
swift build
Scripts/compile_and_run.sh

Validation Checkpoints

Run these after key steps to catch failures early before proceeding to the next stage.

After packaging (Scripts/package_app.sh):

# Confirm .app bundle structure is intact
ls -R build/HelloApp.app/Contents

# Check that the binary is present and executable
file build/HelloApp.app/Contents/MacOS/HelloApp

After signing (Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh or ad-hoc dev signing):

# Inspect signature and entitlements
codesign -dv --verbose=4 build/HelloApp.app

# Verify the bundle passes Gatekeeper checks locally
spctl --assess --type execute --verbose build/HelloApp.app

After notarization and stapling:

# Confirm the staple ticket is attached
stapler validate build/HelloApp.app

# Re-run Gatekeeper to confirm notarization is recognised
spctl --assess --type execute --verbose build/HelloApp.app

Common Notarization Failures

SymptomLikely CauseRecovery
The software asset has already been uploadedDuplicate submission for same versionBump BUILD_NUMBER in version.env and repackage.
Package Invalid: Invalid Code Signing EntitlementsEntitlements in .entitlements file don't match provisioningAudit entitlements against Apple's allowed set; remove unsupported keys.
The executable does not have the hardened runtime enabledMissing --options runtime flag in codesign invocationEdit sign-and-notarize.sh to add --options runtime to all codesign calls.
Notarization hangs / no status emailxcrun notarytool network or credential issueRun xcrun notarytool history to check status; re-export App Store Connect API key if expired.
stapler validate fails after successful notarizationTicket not yet propagatedWait ~60 s, then re-run xcrun stapler staple.

Templates

  • assets/templates/package_app.sh: Build binaries, create the .app bundle, copy resources, sign.
  • assets/templates/compile_and_run.sh: Dev loop to kill running app, package, launch.
  • assets/templates/build_icon.sh: Generate .icns from an Icon Composer file (requires Xcode install).
  • assets/templates/sign-and-notarize.sh: Notarize, staple, and zip a release build.
  • assets/templates/make_appcast.sh: Generate Sparkle appcast entries for updates.
  • assets/templates/setup_dev_signing.sh: Create a stable dev code-signing identity.
  • assets/templates/launch.sh: Simple launcher for a packaged .app.
  • assets/templates/version.env: Example version file consumed by packaging scripts.
  • assets/templates/bootstrap/: Minimal SwiftPM macOS app skeleton (Package.swift, Sources/, version.env).

Notes

  • Keep entitlements and signing configuration explicit; edit the template scripts instead of reimplementing.
  • Remove Sparkle steps if you do not use Sparkle for updates.
  • Sparkle relies on the bundle build number (CFBundleVersion), so BUILD_NUMBER in version.env must increase for each update.
  • For menu bar apps, set MENU_BAR_APP=1 when packaging to emit LSUIElement in Info.plist.

FAQ

What does the guide-macos-spm-packaging skill do?

Scaffold, build, and package SwiftPM-based macOS apps without an Xcode project. Use when you need a from-scratch macOS app layout, SwiftPM targets/resources, a custom .app bundle assembly script, or signing/notarization/appcast steps outside Xcode.

How do I install guide-macos-spm-packaging?

Run npx skills add https://github.com/prisma-labs-dev/apple-skills --skill guide-macos-spm-packaging 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/guide-macos-spm-packaging/ (personal) or .claude/skills/guide-macos-spm-packaging/ (project).

Which AI agents can use guide-macos-spm-packaging?

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 guide-macos-spm-packaging 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 guide-macos-spm-packaging?

It is published by prisma-labs-dev in prisma-labs-dev/apple-skills. It has 477 recorded installs.

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