// Apple Human Interface Guidelines for layout and navigation components. Use this skill when the user asks about "sidebar", "split view", "tab bar", "tab view", "scroll view", "window design", "panel", "list view", "table view", "column view", "outline view", "navigation structure", "app layout", "boxes", "ornaments", or organizing content hierarchically in Apple apps. Also use when the user says "how should I organize my app", "what navigation pattern should I use", "my layout breaks on iPad", "how do I build a sidebar", "should I use tabs or a sidebar", or "my app doesn't adapt to different screen sizes". Cross-references: hig-foundations for layout/spacing principles, hig-platforms for platform-specific navigation, hig-patterns for multitasking and full-screen, hig-components-content for content display.
Apple Human Interface Guidelines for layout and navigation components. Use this skill when the user asks about "sidebar", "split view", "tab bar", "tab view", "scroll view", "window design", "panel", "list view", "table view", "column view", "outline view", "navigation structure", "app layout", "boxes", "ornaments", or organizing content hierarchically in Apple apps. Also use when the user says "how should I organize my app", "what navigation pattern should I use", "my layout breaks on iPad", "how do I build a sidebar", "should I use tabs or a sidebar", or "my app doesn't adapt to different screen sizes". Cross-references: hig-foundations for layout/spacing principles, hig-platforms for platform-specific navigation, hig-patterns for multitasking and full-screen, hig-components-content for content display.
Apple HIG: Layout and Navigation Components
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
Organize hierarchically. Structure information from broad categories to specific details. Sidebars for top-level sections, lists for browsable items, detail views for individual content.
Use standard navigation patterns. Tab bars for flat navigation between peer sections (iPhone). Sidebars for deep hierarchical navigation (iPad, Mac). Match the pattern to the information architecture and platform.
Adapt to screen size. Three-column on iPad collapses to single-column on iPhone. Use size classes and adaptive APIs (NavigationSplitView) for automatic adaptation.
Support multitasking on iPad. Respond gracefully to Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager. Test at every split ratio and size class transition.
Maintain spatial consistency on visionOS. Windows, volumes, and ornaments in shared space. Position predictably. Use ornaments for toolbars and controls without occluding content.
Use scroll views for overflow content. Enable paging for discrete content units. Support pull-to-refresh where appropriate. Respect safe areas.
Keep navigation predictable. Users should always know where they are, how they got there, and how to go back. Use back buttons, breadcrumbs, and clear section titles.
Prefer system components. UINavigationController, UISplitViewController, NavigationSplitView, and TabView provide built-in adaptivity, accessibility, and state restoration.
