SwiftUI Liquid Glass Design Protocol (iOS 26+)

This skill provides the required guidelines and implementation patterns for applying the Liquid Glass design language in SwiftUI. It ensures that UI components use appropriate transparency, blending, structural elements, and interactive lighting using the native iOS 26+ APIs.

Core Principles

For iOS 26 and later, Apple provides a native API for Liquid Glass that combines optical glass properties with fluidity.

1. Native API Priority: Use .glassEffect(...) as the primary modifier for all glass surfaces.
2. Container Usage: Wrap multiple co-existing glass elements in a GlassEffectContainer(spacing: ...). This manages how the glass surfaces merge and blend.
3. Modifier Order: Always apply .glassEffect() after layout (padding, frame) and appearance modifiers.
4. Interactivity: Append .interactive() to the effect (e.g., .glassEffect(.regular.interactive())) for elements that respond to touch or pointer input.
5. Shape Definition: Specify shapes directly within the effect: .glassEffect(..., in: .rect(cornerRadius: 20)). Supported shapes include .capsule, .circle, and .rect.
6. Morphing & Grouping:
   • Use .glassEffectID(id, in: namespace) with @Namespace for fluid morphing transitions between view states.
   • Use .glassEffectUnion(id: "group", namespace: namespace) to visually unite adjacent glass elements within a container.

Implementation Guidelines

Native Implementation Patterns