macos-design-guidelines
Comprehensive design guidelines for building native Mac apps with SwiftUI and AppKit.
- Covers 11 critical areas: menu bars, windows, toolbars, sidebars, keyboard shortcuts, pointers, notifications, system integration, visual design, popovers, and accessibility
- Includes 80+ actionable rules with SwiftUI and AppKit code examples for every pattern
- Provides keyboard shortcut reference tables, evaluation checklist, and anti-patterns to avoid
- Emphasizes Mac-specific expectations: persistent menu bars, resizable multi-window layouts, comprehensive keyboard support, and deep system integration via Spotlight, Dock menus, and Shortcuts
macOS Human Interface Guidelines
Mac apps serve power users who expect deep keyboard control, persistent menu bars, resizable multi-window layouts, and tight system integration. These guidelines codify Apple's HIG into actionable rules with SwiftUI and AppKit examples.
1. Menu Bar (CRITICAL)
Every Mac app must have a menu bar. It is the primary discovery mechanism for commands. Users who cannot find a feature will look in the menu bar before anywhere else.
Rule 1.1 — Provide Standard Menus
Every app must include at minimum: App, File, Edit, View, Window, Help. Omit File only if the app is not document-based. Add app-specific menus between Edit and View or between View and Window.
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