hig-platforms
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.
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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-platforms- 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-platforms 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: Platform Design
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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Each platform has a distinct identity. Do not port designs between platforms. Respect each platform's conventions, interaction models, and user expectations.
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iOS: touch-first. Direct manipulation on a handheld screen. Optimize for one-handed use. Navigation uses tab bars and push/pop stacks.
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iPadOS: expanded canvas. Support Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager. Use sidebars and multi-column layouts. Support pointer and keyboard alongside touch.
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macOS: pointer and keyboard. Dense information display is acceptable. Use menu bars, toolbars, and keyboard shortcuts extensively. Windows are resizable with precise control.
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tvOS: remote and focus. Viewed from a distance. Design for the Siri Remote with focus-based navigation. Large text, simple layouts, linear navigation.
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visionOS: spatial interaction. 3D environment using windows, volumes, and spaces. Eye tracking for targeting, indirect gestures for interaction. Respect ergonomic comfort zones.
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watchOS: glanceable and brief. Information consumable at a glance. Brief interactions. Digital Crown, haptics, and complications for timely content.
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Games: own paradigm. Free to define in-game interaction models, but still respect platform conventions for system interactions (notifications, accessibility, controllers).
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| designing-for-ios.md | iOS | Touch, tab bars, navigation stacks, gestures, screen sizes, safe areas |
| designing-for-ipados.md | iPadOS | Multitasking, sidebars, pointer, keyboard, Apple Pencil, Stage Manager |
| designing-for-macos.md | macOS | Menu bars, toolbars, window management, keyboard shortcuts, dense layouts, Dock |
| designing-for-tvos.md | tvOS | Focus engine, Siri Remote, lean-back experience, content-forward, parallax |
| designing-for-visionos.md | visionOS | Spatial computing, windows/volumes/spaces, eye tracking, hand gestures, depth |
| designing-for-watchos.md | watchOS | Glanceable UI, Digital Crown, complications, notifications, haptics |
| designing-for-games.md | Games | Controllers, immersive experiences, platform-specific conventions, accessibility |
Decision Framework
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Identify the primary use context. On the go (iOS/watchOS), at a desk (macOS), on the couch (tvOS), spatial environment (visionOS)?
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Match input to interaction. Touch for direct manipulation, pointer for precision, gaze+gesture for spatial, Digital Crown for quick scrolling, remote for focus navigation.
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Adapt, don't replicate. A macOS sidebar becomes a tab bar on iPhone. A visionOS volume has no equivalent on watchOS. Translate intent, not implementation.
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Leverage platform strengths. Live Activities on iOS, Desktop Widgets on macOS, complications on watchOS, immersive spaces on visionOS.
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Maintain brand consistency while respecting each platform's visual language and interaction patterns.
Output Format
- Platform-specific recommendations citing relevant HIG sections.
- Platform differences table comparing navigation, input, layout, and conventions.
- Implementation notes per platform including recommended APIs and adaptation strategies.
Questions to Ask
- Which platforms are you targeting?
- New app or adapting an existing one? If existing, which platform is the base?
- SwiftUI or UIKit/AppKit?
- Need to support older OS versions?
- Primary use context? (On the go, desk, couch, spatial, glanceable?)
Related Skills
- hig-foundations -- Shared principles (color, typography, accessibility, layout) across platforms
- hig-patterns -- Interaction patterns that manifest differently per platform
- hig-components-layout -- Navigation structures (tab bars, sidebars, split views) that vary by platform
- hig-components-content -- Content display that adapts across platforms
Built by Raintree Technology · More developer tools
FAQ
What does the hig-platforms skill do?
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.
How do I install hig-platforms?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-platforms 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-platforms/ (personal) or .claude/skills/hig-platforms/ (project).
Which AI agents can use hig-platforms?
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-platforms 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-platforms?
It is published by raintree-technology in raintree-technology/hig-doctor. It has 673 recorded installs.
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hig-foundations
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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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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.
hig-patterns
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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.
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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 presentation components including alerts, action sheets, popovers, sheets, and digit entry views. Use this skill when the user says "should I use an alert or a sheet," "how do I show a confirmation dialog," "when should I use a popover," "my modals are annoying users," or asks about alert design, action sheet, popover, sheet, modal, dialog, digit entry, confirmation dialog, warning dialog, modal presentation, non-modal content, destructive action confirmation, or overlay UI patterns. Cross-references: hig-components-menus, hig-components-controls, hig-components-search, hig-patterns.
hig-components-menus
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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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