macos-spm-app-packaging

name	macos-spm-app-packaging
description	Scaffold, build, and package SwiftPM-based macOS apps without an Xcode project. Use when you need a from-scratch macOS app layout, SwiftPM targets/resources, a custom .app bundle assembly script, or signing/notarization/appcast steps outside Xcode.

macOS SwiftPM App Packaging (No Xcode)

Overview

Bootstrap a complete SwiftPM macOS app folder, then build, package, and run it without Xcode. Use assets/templates/bootstrap/ for the starter layout and references/packaging.md + references/release.md for packaging and release details.

Two-Step Workflow

1. Bootstrap the project folder

   • Copy assets/templates/bootstrap/ into a new repo.
   • Rename MyApp in Package.swift, Sources/MyApp/, and version.env.
   • Customize APP_NAME, BUNDLE_ID, and versions.

2. Build, package, and run the bootstrapped app

   • Copy scripts from assets/templates/ into your repo (for example, Scripts/).
   • Build/tests: swift build and swift test.
   • Package: Scripts/package_app.sh.
   • Run: Scripts/compile_and_run.sh (preferred) or Scripts/launch.sh.
   • Release (optional): Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh and Scripts/make_appcast.sh.
   • Tag + GitHub release (optional): create a git tag, upload the zip/appcast to the GitHub release, and publish.

Minimum End-to-End Example

Shortest path from bootstrap to a running app: