macos-development

name	macos-development
description	macOS native app development guide for Swift/SwiftUI. Use when building menu bar apps (NSStatusItem, NSPopover, MenuBarExtra), implementing Core Audio for volume/microphone control, integrating Sparkle auto-update framework, or working with Swift Package Manager for app bundles. Covers dockless accessory apps, SF Symbols, global keyboard shortcuts, and property listeners.

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

NSApp.setActivationPolicy(.accessory)

Create Status Item

let statusItem = NSStatusBar.system.statusItem(withLength: NSStatusItem.variableLength)
statusItem.button?.image = NSImage(systemSymbolName: "mic.fill", accessibilityDescription: nil)

Get Default Audio Device

var address = AudioObjectPropertyAddress(
    mSelector: kAudioHardwarePropertyDefaultInputDevice,
    mScope: kAudioObjectPropertyScopeGlobal,
    mElement: kAudioObjectPropertyElementMain
)
AudioObjectGetPropertyData(AudioObjectID(kAudioObjectSystemObject), &address, 0, nil, &size, &deviceID)

Initialize Sparkle

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