macos-design

name	macos-design
category	design
description	Design and build native-feeling macOS application UIs. Use this skill whenever the user asks to create a desktop app, macOS app, Mac-style interface, Apple-style UI, system utility, or anything that should look and feel like a native Mac application. Also trigger when users mention "native feel", "desktop app design", "Apple design patterns", "sidebar layout", "traffic lights", or want to build tools/utilities that feel like they belong on macOS. This skill covers layout, composition, interaction patterns, animations, light/dark mode, and all the subtle details that make an app feel like Apple built it.

macOS Native App Design Skill

Build interfaces that feel like they belong on the user's computer — not websites crammed into a window.

Core Philosophy

A native app is not a destination. It is a system tool that lives where the user needs it. Design every interaction around this principle: appear when needed, get out of the way immediately after.

Before You Code

Read these references based on what you're building:

• All macOS apps → Read references/layout-and-composition.md (required)
• Apps with keyboard shortcuts, panels, toasts, popovers → Read references/interaction-patterns.md
• Light/dark mode, color, typography → Read references/visual-design.md

Quick-Start Checklist

Use this as a pre-flight before writing any code:

1. Layout: Top bar for global actions, sidebar for navigation (skip if nav is minimal), center for content
2. Traffic lights: Integrate into the UI — top bar or sidebar, never floating awkwardly
3. Window drag zone: Top ~50px must be draggable, keep it uncluttered
4. Empty states: Show them. Progressive disclosure — only reveal UI when it's useful
5. Keyboard shortcuts: Every primary action needs one. Every shortcut needs visual feedback
6. Light + Dark mode: Design both. Do NOT directly invert colors (see visual-design reference)
7. Search: Always prominent and accessible. Consider floating search bar or command palette
8. Drag and drop: Content in AND out of the app. This is non-negotiable for native feel
9. Micro-animations: Every state change gets a transition. No interaction without feedback
10. Onboarding: Brief, modal-based, teaches shortcuts through doing (not reading)

Implementation Notes

When building as a web artifact (React/HTML):

• Simulate the macOS window chrome (title bar, traffic light dots, rounded corners)
• Use -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "SF Pro Display", "SF Pro Text" font stack
• Use backdrop-filter: blur() for native vibrancy/translucency effects
• Rounded corners: 10px for windows, 8px for cards, 6px for buttons, 4px for inputs
• Respect prefers-color-scheme media query for automatic light/dark switching
• Shadows should be subtle and layered, not a single heavy drop shadow

When building with Electron, Tauri, or native frameworks:

• Use system title bar integration where possible
• Respect system accent color and appearance settings
• Use native drag-and-drop APIs, not polyfills