swiftui-alarmkit

name	swiftui-alarmkit
description	Schedule alarms and countdown timers in iOS apps using AlarmKit. Use when implementing alarm functionality, timer features, AlarmKit integration, snooze/stop controls, Dynamic Island alarm displays, or focus mode override. Requires iOS 18+.
metadata	{"author":"rshankras"}

AlarmKit

iOS 18+ framework for scheduling alarms and countdown timers with custom UI, Live Activities, and focus/silent mode override capabilities.

When This Skill Activates

Use this skill when the user needs to:

• Implement alarm or timer functionality
• Reference AlarmKit, AlarmManager, or AlarmPresentation
• Create one-time, repeating, or countdown alarms
• Add snooze/stop controls
• Display content on Dynamic Island or Lock Screen
• Override Focus or silent mode

Reference Structure

• scheduling.md: Authorization setup, alarm creation, management, state observation
• presentation.md: Alert/countdown/paused UI customization, buttons, tint colors
• live-activities.md: Widget integration, AlarmAttributes, Dynamic Island display

All APIs require iOS 18 or later.

Critical Mistakes to Avoid

#	Mistake	Correct Approach
1	Using .authorizationStatus	Use .authorizationState
2	Missing Info.plist entry	Add NSAlarmKitUsageDescription before requesting authorization
3	Schedule parameter with countdown timers	Timers use only CountdownDuration — no schedule parameter
4	No widget extension	Countdown and paused presentations require an ActivityConfiguration(for: AlarmAttributes.self) widget
5	Not persisting alarm UUIDs	Store alarm IDs for pause/resume/cancel operations
6	Not observing state changes	Subscribe to alarmUpdates async sequence for synchronization

Quick Start Pattern

import AlarmKit

// 1. Request authorization
let manager = AlarmManager.shared
guard await manager.requestAuthorization() == .authorized else { return }

// 2. Create an alarm
let alarm = try await manager.schedule(
    AlarmRequest(
        id: UUID(),
        schedule: .oneTime(date: targetDate),
        presentation: .alert
    )
)

// 3. Persist the alarm ID
UserDefaults.standard.set(alarm.id.uuidString, forKey: "savedAlarmId")

// 4. Observe state changes
for await update in manager.alarmUpdates {
    // Handle alarm state changes
}

Validation Checklist

Before deploying:

• NSAlarmKitUsageDescription in Info.plist
• Authorization flow implemented and tested
• Using .authorizationState (not .authorizationStatus)
• Alarm UUIDs persisted
• alarmUpdates sequence observed
• Widget extension present (if countdown/paused UI needed)
• Error handling for all alarm operations
• Tested on real device (not simulator)