hig-foundations
Apple Human Interface Guidelines design foundations. Use this skill when the user asks about "HIG color", "Apple typography", "SF Symbols", "dark mode guidelines", "accessible design", "Apple design foundations", "app icon", "layout guidelines", "materials", "motion", "privacy", "right to left", "RTL", "inclusive design", branding, images, spatial layout, or writing style. Also use when the user says "my colors look wrong in dark mode", "what font should I use", "is my app accessible enough", "how do I support Dynamic Type", "what contrast ratio do I need", "how do I pick system colors", or "my icons don't match the system style". Cross-references: hig-platforms for platform-specific guidance, hig-patterns for interaction patterns, hig-components-layout for structural components, hig-components-content for display.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-foundations- 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 hig-foundations 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.
Apple HIG: Design Foundations
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
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Prioritize content over chrome. Reduce visual clutter. Use system-provided materials and subtle separators rather than heavy borders and backgrounds.
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Build in accessibility from the start. Design for VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, Reduce Motion, Increase Contrast, and Switch Control from day one. Every interactive element needs an accessible label.
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Use system colors and materials. System colors adapt to light/dark mode, increased contrast, and vibrancy. Prefer semantic colors (
label,secondaryLabel,systemBackground) over hard-coded values. -
Use platform fonts and icons. SF Pro, SF Compact, SF Mono by default. New York for serif. Follow the type hierarchy at recommended sizes. Use SF Symbols for iconography.
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Match platform conventions. Align look and behavior with system standards. Provide direct, responsive manipulation and clear feedback for every action.
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Respect privacy. Request permissions only when needed, explain why clearly, provide value before asking for data. Design for minimal data collection.
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Support internationalization. Accommodate text expansion, right-to-left scripts, and varying date/number formats. Use Auto Layout for dynamic content sizing.
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Use motion purposefully. Animation should communicate meaning and spatial relationships. Honor Reduce Motion by providing crossfade alternatives.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| accessibility.md | Accessibility | VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, color contrast, motor accessibility, Switch Control, audio descriptions |
| app-icons.md | App Icons | Icon grid, platform-specific sizes, single focal point, no transparency |
| branding.md | Branding | Integrating brand identity within Apple's design language, subtle branding, custom tints |
| color.md | Color | System colors, Dynamic Colors, semantic colors, custom palettes, contrast ratios |
| dark-mode.md | Dark Mode | Elevated surfaces, semantic colors, adapted palettes, vibrancy, testing in both modes |
| icons.md | Icons | Glyph icons, SF Symbols integration, custom icon design, icon weights, optical alignment |
| images.md | Images | Image resolution, @2x/@3x assets, vector assets, image accessibility |
| immersive-experiences.md | Immersive Experiences | AR/VR design, spatial immersion, comfort zones, progressive immersion levels |
| inclusion.md | Inclusion | Diverse representation, non-gendered language, cultural sensitivity, inclusive defaults |
| layout.md | Layout | Margins, spacing, alignment, safe areas, adaptive layouts, readable content guides |
| materials.md | Materials | Vibrancy, blur, translucency, system materials, material thickness |
| motion.md | Motion | Animation curves, transitions, continuity, Reduce Motion support, physics-based motion |
| privacy.md | Privacy | Permission requests, usage descriptions, privacy nutrition labels, minimal data collection |
| right-to-left.md | Right-to-Left | RTL layout mirroring, bidirectional text, icons that flip, exceptions |
| sf-symbols.md | SF Symbols | Symbol categories, rendering modes, variable color, custom symbols, weight matching |
| spatial-layout.md | Spatial Layout | visionOS window placement, depth, ergonomic zones, Z-axis design |
| typography.md | Typography | SF Pro, Dynamic Type sizes, text styles, custom fonts, font weight hierarchy, line spacing |
| writing.md | Writing | UI copy guidelines, tone, capitalization rules, error messages, button labels, conciseness |
Applying Foundations Together
Consider how principles interact:
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Color + Dark Mode + Accessibility -- Custom palettes must work in both modes while maintaining WCAG contrast ratios. Start with system semantic colors.
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Typography + Accessibility + Layout -- Dynamic Type must scale without breaking layouts. Use text styles and Auto Layout for the full range of type sizes.
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Icons + Branding + SF Symbols -- Custom icons should match SF Symbols weight and optical sizing. Brand elements should integrate without overriding system conventions.
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Motion + Accessibility + Feedback -- Every animation must have a Reduce Motion alternative. Motion should reinforce spatial relationships, not decorate.
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Privacy + Writing + Onboarding -- Permission requests need clear, specific usage descriptions. Time them to when the user will understand the benefit.
Output Format
- Cite the specific HIG foundation with file and section.
- Note platform differences for the user's target platforms.
- Provide concrete code patterns (SwiftUI/UIKit/AppKit).
- Explain accessibility impact (contrast ratios, Dynamic Type scaling, VoiceOver behavior).
Questions to Ask
- Which platforms are you targeting?
- Do you have existing brand guidelines?
- What accessibility level are you targeting? (WCAG AA, AAA, Apple baseline?)
- System colors or custom?
Related Skills
- hig-platforms -- How foundations apply per platform (e.g., type scale differences on watchOS vs macOS)
- hig-patterns -- Interaction patterns where foundations like writing and accessibility are critical
- hig-components-layout -- Structural components implementing layout principles
- hig-components-content -- Content display using color, typography, and images
Built by Raintree Technology · More developer tools
FAQ
What does the hig-foundations skill do?
Apple Human Interface Guidelines design foundations. Use this skill when the user asks about "HIG color", "Apple typography", "SF Symbols", "dark mode guidelines", "accessible design", "Apple design foundations", "app icon", "layout guidelines", "materials", "motion", "privacy", "right to left", "RTL", "inclusive design", branding, images, spatial layout, or writing style. Also use when the user says "my colors look wrong in dark mode", "what font should I use", "is my app accessible enough", "how do I support Dynamic Type", "what contrast ratio do I need", "how do I pick system colors", or "my icons don't match the system style". Cross-references: hig-platforms for platform-specific guidance, hig-patterns for interaction patterns, hig-components-layout for structural components, hig-components-content for display.
How do I install hig-foundations?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-foundations 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/hig-foundations/ (personal) or .claude/skills/hig-foundations/ (project).
Which AI agents can use hig-foundations?
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 hig-foundations 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 hig-foundations?
It is published by raintree-technology in raintree-technology/hig-doctor. It has 734 recorded installs.
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Apple Human Interface Guidelines for layout and navigation components. Use this skill when the user asks about "sidebar", "split view", "tab bar", "tab view", "scroll view", "window design", "panel", "list view", "table view", "column view", "outline view", "navigation structure", "app layout", "boxes", "ornaments", or organizing content hierarchically in Apple apps. Also use when the user says "how should I organize my app", "what navigation pattern should I use", "my layout breaks on iPad", "how do I build a sidebar", "should I use tabs or a sidebar", or "my app doesn't adapt to different screen sizes". Cross-references: hig-foundations for layout/spacing principles, hig-platforms for platform-specific navigation, hig-patterns for multitasking and full-screen, hig-components-content for content display.
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Apple Human Interface Guidelines interaction and UX patterns. Use this skill when the user asks about "onboarding flow", "user onboarding", "app launch", "loading state", "drag and drop", "search pattern", "settings design", "notifications", "modality", "multitasking", "feedback pattern", "haptics", "undo redo", "file management", data entry, sharing, collaboration, full screen, audio, video, haptic feedback, ratings, printing, help, or account management in Apple apps. Also use when the user says "how should onboarding work", "my app takes too long to load", "should I use a modal here", "how do I handle errors", "when should I ask for permissions", "how to show progress", or "what's the right way to confirm a delete". Cross-references: hig-foundations for underlying principles, hig-platforms for platform specifics, hig-components-layout for navigation, hig-components-content for data display.
hig-platforms
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Apple Human Interface Guidelines for platform-specific design. Use this skill when the user asks about "designing for iOS", "iPad app design", "macOS design", "tvOS", "visionOS", "watchOS", "Apple platform", "which platform", platform differences, platform-specific conventions, or multi-platform app design. Also use when the user says "should I design differently for iPad vs iPhone", "how does my app work on visionOS", "what's different about macOS apps", "porting my app to another platform", "universal app design", or "what input methods does this platform use". Cross-references: hig-foundations for shared design foundations, hig-patterns for interaction patterns, hig-components-layout for navigation structures, hig-components-content for content display.
hig-components-controls
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Apple HIG guidance for selection and input controls including pickers, toggles, sliders, steppers, segmented controls, combo boxes, text fields, text views, labels, token fields, virtual keyboards, rating indicators, and gauges. Use this skill when the user says "picker or segmented control," "how should my form look," "what keyboard type should I use," "toggle vs checkbox," or asks about picker design, toggle, switch, slider, stepper, text field, text input, segmented control, combo box, label, token field, virtual keyboard, rating indicator, gauge, form design, input validation, or control state management. Cross-references: hig-components-menus, hig-components-dialogs, hig-components-search.
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Apple HIG guidance for menu and button components including menus, context menus, dock menus, edit menus, the menu bar, toolbars, action buttons, pop-up buttons, pull-down buttons, disclosure controls, and standard buttons. Use this skill when the user says "how should my buttons look," "what goes in the menu bar," "should I use a context menu or action sheet," "how do I design a toolbar," or asks about button design, menu design, context menu, toolbar, menu bar, action button, pop-up button, pull-down button, disclosure control, dock menu, edit menu, or any menu/button component layout and behavior. Cross-references: hig-components-search, hig-components-controls, hig-components-dialogs.
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