Agent skill

build-macos-apps

Build professional native macOS apps in Swift with SwiftUI and AppKit. Full lifecycle development - build, debug, test, optimize, ship. CLI-focused workflow. Use when building macOS apps, adding features, debugging, testing, or optimizing Mac applications.

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npx add-skill https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry/tree/main/skills/data/build-macos-apps

SKILL.md

Build macOS Apps - Professional Mac Development

Expert guidance for building native macOS apps using Swift, SwiftUI, and AppKit with CLI-first workflow.

Core Principles

1. Prove, Don't Promise

Never say "this should work." Always verify:

bash
xcodebuild -scheme AppName build
xcodebuild -scheme AppName test
open ./build/Build/Products/Debug/AppName.app

2. Tests for Correctness, Eyes for Quality

Tests verify correctness. Users verify desirability.

3. Report Outcomes, Not Code

✅ Good: "Fixed memory leak. 0 leaks, stable for 5 minutes." ❌ Bad: "Refactored DataService to use async/await"

4. Small Steps, Always Verified

Change → Verify → Report → Next change

5. Ask Before, Not After

Clarify requirements before building.

6. Always Leave It Working

Every stop = working state.

Verification Loop

After every change:

bash
xcodebuild -scheme AppName build
xcodebuild -scheme AppName test
open ./build/Build/Products/Debug/AppName.app

macOS App Types

Document-Based

swift
@main
struct MyApp: App {
    var body: some Scene {
        DocumentGroup(newDocument: MyDocument()) { file in
            ContentView(document: file.$document)
        }
    }
}

Menu Bar Apps

swift
class AppDelegate: NSObject, NSApplicationDelegate {
    var statusItem: NSStatusItem?
    func applicationDidFinishLaunching(_ notification: Notification) {
        statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: NSStatusItem.variableLength)
    }
}

SwiftUI + AppKit

swift
struct MyAppKitView: NSViewRepresentable {
    func makeNSView(context: Context) -> NSView { /* ... */ }
    func updateNSView(_ nsView: NSView, context: Context) { /* ... */ }
}

CLI Commands

bash
# Build
xcodebuild -scheme AppName build

# Test
xcodebuild test -scheme AppName

# Archive
xcodebuild archive -scheme AppName -archivePath ./App.xcarchive

# Code sign
codesign --force --sign "Developer ID" --timestamp --options runtime ./AppName.app

# Notarize
xcrun notarytool submit AppName.dmg --keychain-profile "AC_PASSWORD" --wait
xcrun stapler staple AppName.dmg

Remember

  1. Prove it works - build, test, launch
  2. Small verified steps
  3. Ask first
  4. Report outcomes
  5. Leave it working
  6. Tests for logic, eyes for UI

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