Macos App Design

This is your checklist before you write a single line of SwiftUI or AppKit code. It forces you to identify your app archetype first (document-based, library plus editor, utility, menu bar app, or pro tool), then work through the information architecture, command map, and accessibility plan before building anything. The two core rules are refreshingly direct: prefer system components over custom UI, and if you're customizing bars or chrome, stop and justify it. The Liquid Glass guidance alone (navigation layer yes, content layer no, never stack glass on glass) will save you from common mistakes. Treat the Mac Citizen Checklist and Common Mistakes table as your code review before commit.

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last updated: Aug 21, 2026

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Install

$ npx -y skills add petekp/agent-skills --skill macos-app-design --agent claude-code

Installs into .claude/skills of the current project.

Files

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