Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill toolbars- 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 toolbars 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.
SwiftUI Toolbars
Modern toolbar patterns for SwiftUI apps. Covers customizable toolbars, enhanced search integration, new placements, transition effects, and platform-specific considerations.
When This Skill Activates
Use this skill when the user:
- Wants to add or customize toolbars
- Asks about customizable/user-configurable toolbars
- Needs search field in toolbar with specific placement
- Wants toolbar item transitions or animations
- Asks about toolbar placements (bottomBar, largeSubtitle, etc.)
- Needs platform-specific toolbar behavior (iOS vs macOS)
- Wants to reposition system toolbar items (search, sidebar)
Decision Tree
What toolbar feature do you need?
|
+- User-customizable toolbar (add/remove/reorder items)
| +- Use .toolbar(id:) with ToolbarItem(id:)
|
+- Search field in toolbar
| +- Minimize to button -> .searchToolbarBehavior(.minimize)
| +- Reposition search -> DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .search, placement:)
|
+- Toolbar transition/animation
| +- Zoom transition from toolbar item -> .matchedTransitionSource(id:in:)
| +- Hide glass background -> .sharedBackgroundVisibility(.hidden)
|
+- Custom subtitle area content
| +- Use ToolbarItem(placement: .largeSubtitle)
|
+- System toolbar items with custom placement
| +- DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .search/.sidebar, placement:)
API Availability
| API | Minimum Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
.toolbar { } | iOS 14 | Basic toolbar |
ToolbarItem(placement:) | iOS 14 | Standard placements |
.toolbar(id:) | iOS 16 | Customizable toolbars |
ToolbarItem(id:) | iOS 16 | Items in customizable toolbars |
ToolbarSpacer | iOS 16 | Fixed and flexible spacers |
.searchable() | iOS 15 | Search integration |
.searchToolbarBehavior(.minimize) | iOS 17 | Minimized search button |
DefaultToolbarItem(kind:placement:) | iOS 18 | Reposition system items |
ToolbarItem(placement: .largeSubtitle) | iOS 18 | Subtitle area content |
.matchedTransitionSource(id:in:) | iOS 18 | Toolbar transition source |
.sharedBackgroundVisibility() | iOS 18 | Glass background control |
Customizable Toolbars
Allow users to personalize toolbar items by adding, removing, and rearranging:
ContentView()
.toolbar(id: "main-toolbar") {
ToolbarItem(id: "tag") {
TagButton()
}
ToolbarItem(id: "share") {
ShareButton()
}
ToolbarSpacer(.fixed)
ToolbarItem(id: "more") {
MoreButton()
}
}
Toolbar Spacers
ToolbarSpacer(.fixed) // Fixed-width space
ToolbarSpacer(.flexible) // Flexible space — pushes items apart
Anti-Patterns
// ❌ Missing IDs in customizable toolbar — items can't be customized
.toolbar(id: "main") {
ToolbarItem { // No id parameter
ShareButton()
}
}
// ✅ Every item needs its own ID
.toolbar(id: "main") {
ToolbarItem(id: "share") {
ShareButton()
}
}
Enhanced Search Integration
Minimized Search
Renders search field as a compact button that expands on tap:
@State private var searchText = ""
NavigationStack {
RecipeList()
.searchable(text: $searchText)
.searchToolbarBehavior(.minimize)
}
Repositioning Search
Move the default search field to a different toolbar position:
NavigationSplitView {
AllCalendarsView()
} detail: {
SelectedCalendarView()
.searchable(text: $query)
.toolbar {
ToolbarItem(placement: .bottomBar) {
CalendarPicker()
}
ToolbarItem(placement: .bottomBar) {
Invites()
}
DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .search, placement: .bottomBar)
ToolbarSpacer(placement: .bottomBar)
ToolbarItem(placement: .bottomBar) {
NewEventButton()
}
}
}
System-Defined Toolbar Items
Reposition system items with custom placements:
.toolbar {
DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .search, placement: .bottomBar)
DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .sidebar, placement: .navigationBarLeading)
}
Large Subtitle Placement
Place custom content in the navigation bar subtitle area:
NavigationStack {
DetailView()
.navigationTitle("Title")
.navigationSubtitle("Subtitle")
.toolbar {
ToolbarItem(placement: .largeSubtitle) {
CustomLargeNavigationSubtitle()
}
}
}
Transition Effects
Matched Transition from Toolbar
Create zoom transitions originating from a toolbar button:
struct ContentView: View {
@State private var isPresented = false
@Namespace private var namespace
var body: some View {
NavigationStack {
DetailView()
.toolbar {
ToolbarItem(placement: .topBarTrailing) {
Button("Show Sheet", systemImage: "globe") {
isPresented = true
}
}
.matchedTransitionSource(id: "world", in: namespace)
}
.sheet(isPresented: $isPresented) {
SheetView()
.navigationTransition(
.zoom(sourceID: "world", in: namespace))
}
}
}
}
Glass Background Control
Control the shared glass background on toolbar items:
ContentView()
.toolbar(id: "main") {
ToolbarItem(id: "build-status", placement: .principal) {
BuildStatus()
}
.sharedBackgroundVisibility(.hidden)
}
Top 5 Mistakes
| # | Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missing id on ToolbarItem in customizable toolbar | Every item in .toolbar(id:) must have its own id parameter |
| 2 | Using .searchToolbarBehavior(.minimize) without .searchable() | Must pair with .searchable() modifier — .minimize only affects rendering |
| 3 | Putting .matchedTransitionSource on the Button instead of ToolbarItem | Apply .matchedTransitionSource(id:in:) on the ToolbarItem, not its content |
| 4 | Using .largeSubtitle alongside .navigationSubtitle() expecting both to show | .largeSubtitle takes precedence — the subtitle modifier value is hidden |
| 5 | Forgetting placement: on DefaultToolbarItem | Without explicit placement, system items use their default position |
Platform Considerations
| Platform | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| iOS | Bottom bar useful on iPhones. Use .searchToolbarBehavior(.minimize) for space efficiency. |
| iPadOS | Customizable toolbars valuable in productivity apps. Consider keyboard shortcuts. |
| macOS | Users expect toolbar customization. Use spacers for logical groupings. |
Review Checklist
Customizable Toolbars
-
.toolbar(id:)has a unique, stable string identifier - Every
ToolbarItemwithin has its own uniqueid - Spacers used to create logical groups of related items
- Toolbar tested with customization panel (long-press on iPadOS, right-click on macOS)
Search Integration
-
.searchable()paired with appropriate.searchToolbarBehavior() - Search placement makes sense for the platform (bottom bar on iOS, toolbar on macOS)
-
DefaultToolbarItem(kind: .search)used when repositioning is needed
Transitions
-
.matchedTransitionSourceapplied toToolbarItem, not its content view - Namespace declared with
@Namespaceat the view level - Source ID matches between
.matchedTransitionSourceand.navigationTransition(.zoom)
Platform
- Toolbar layouts tested on both iOS and macOS (if multiplatform)
- Bottom bar items appropriate for small screens
- Customizable toolbars provided for complex macOS apps
References
FAQ
What does the toolbars skill do?
Modern SwiftUI toolbar patterns including customizable toolbars, search integration, transition effects, and platform-specific behavior. Use when implementing or customizing toolbars in SwiftUI.
How do I install toolbars?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill toolbars 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/toolbars/ (personal) or .claude/skills/toolbars/ (project).
Which AI agents can use toolbars?
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 toolbars 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 toolbars?
It is published by rshankras in rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills. It has 79 recorded installs.
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