macos-development

# macOS Native App Development This skill provides guidance for developing native macOS applications with Swift and SwiftUI. ## When to Use - Building menu bar (status bar) applications - Implementing audio device control with Core Audio - Setting up auto-updates with Sparkle framework - Managing Swift Package Manager projects for macOS apps - Creating dockless accessory applications ## Core Topics ### 1. Menu Bar Apps See `references/menubar-apps.md` for: - NSStatusItem and NSStatusBar usage - NSPopover for menu bar popovers - MenuBarExtra (macOS 13+) declarative API - Hiding dock icon with `.accessory` activation policy - SF Symbols for dynamic menu bar icons - Global keyboard shortcuts with NSEvent ### 2. Core Audio See `references/core-audio.md` for: - AudioObjectPropertyAddress structure - Default input/output device queries - Volume control (kAudioDevicePropertyVolumeScalar) - Mute control (kAudioDevicePropertyMute) - Property listeners for external changes - Device scopes (input vs output) ### 3. Sparkle Auto-Update See `references/sparkle.md` for: - SPM integration - Info.plist configuration (SUFeedURL, SUPublicEDKey) - appcast.xml structure - EdDSA signing workflow - SPUStandardUpdaterController usage - Programmatic update checks ### 4. Swift Package Manager See `references/spm.md` for: - Package.swift manifest structure - Adding dependencies - Building executables - Resource bundles - Creating app bundles from SPM projects ## Quick Reference ### Hide Dock Icon ```swift NSApp.setActivationPolicy(.accessory) ``` ### Create Status Item ```swift let statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: NSStatusItem.variableLength) statusItem.button?.image = NSImage(systemSymbolName: "mic.fill", accessibilityDescription: nil) ``` ### Get Default Audio Device ```swift var address = AudioObjectPropertyAddress( mSelector: kAudioHardwarePropertyDefaultInputDevice, mScope: kAudioObjectPropertyScopeGlobal, mElement: kAudioObjectPropertyElementMain ) AudioObjectGetPropertyData(AudioObjectID(kAudioObjectSystemObject), &address, 0, nil, &size, &deviceID) ``` ### Initialize Sparkle ```swift let updaterController = SPUStandardUpdaterController( startingUpdater: true, updaterDelegate: nil, userDriverDelegate: nil ) ``` ## Project-Specific Patterns This project demonstrates these patterns: - `AudioManager.swift` - Core Audio volume/mute control with property listeners - `MenuBarController.swift` - NSStatusItem with NSPopover - `UpdateManager.swift` - Sparkle integration - `AppDelegate.swift` - App lifecycle and accessory policy ## Best Practices 1. **Thread Safety**: Dispatch Core Audio listener callbacks to main thread 2. **Memory Management**: Remove property listeners in `deinit` 3. **Error Handling**: Always check `OSStatus == noErr` 4. **Combine Integration**: Use `@Published` properties for reactive UI updates