macos-app-design
Guide for designing and implementing native-feeling, "good Mac citizen" apps: fast, elegant, accessible, and deeply integrated with macOS workflows.
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Installation Guide
How to use macos-app-design on Cursor
AI-first code editor with Composer
Prerequisites
Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:
- ›Cursor installed and configured on your machine
- ›Node.js 16+ with npm — verify with
node --version - ›Active project directory where you want to add
macos-app-design
Run the install command
Execute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:
Fetches macos-app-design from petekp/agent-skills and configures it for Cursor.
Select Cursor when prompted
The CLI shows a list of agents. Use arrow keys and space to select Cursor:
Verify installation
Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:
Restart Cursor to activate macos-app-design. Access via /macos-app-design in your agent's command palette.
Security Notice
We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.
Skills execute code in your environment. Always review source, verify the publisher, and test in isolation before production.
Documentation
macOS App Design & Development
Guide for designing and implementing native-feeling, "good Mac citizen" apps: fast, elegant, accessible, and deeply integrated with macOS workflows.
Two Rules That Beat Everything Else
- Prefer system components and conventions over bespoke UI—fastest path to "feels right on Mac"
- If you customize bars, backgrounds, borders, or control chrome: stop and justify it
Quick Reference: Mac Citizen Checklist
| Area | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Menu Bar | Standard layout (App/File/Edit/View/Window/Help), ⌘, for Settings |
| Keyboard | Every primary command reachable via keyboard, standard shortcuts work |
| Windows | Resize fluidly, support multiple windows, respect fullscreen/minimize |
| Sidebars | Top-level navigation, scannable items, content extends behind |
| Toolbars | Group by function/frequency, demote secondary to "more" menu |
| Text | Use system text components, standard editing behaviors |
| Accessibility | VoiceOver labels, full keyboard navigation, Reduced Motion support |
Liquid Glass Quick Rules
Do:
- Use for navigation/controls layer (toolbars, sidebars, bars)
- Let system components provide built-in behaviors
Don't:
- Apply to content layer (tables, lists, document content)
- Stack "glass on glass"
App Archetypes
Identify your app type first:
- Document-based: Files as primary units (open/save/duplicate)
- Library + editor: Sidebar lists items, detail in main area
- Utility: Single window, optional menu bar
- Menu-bar app: Lives in menu bar, minimal UI
- Pro tool: Dense, power-user workflows
Deliverables Before Building
- App archetype identified
- Information architecture (sidebar structure, navigation, window model)
- Command map (menus + keyboard shortcuts for every major feature)
- State + data model (persistence, undo/redo, concurrency)
- Accessibility plan (VoiceOver, keyboard, contrast, reduce motion)
Full Reference
For complete design system details, Icon Composer workflow, SF Symbols guidance, evaluation rubrics, and Definition of Done checklist:
See: references/macos-design-guide.md
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Missing menu bar commands | Every feature in menus with keyboard shortcuts |
| Settings outside App menu | Always ⌘, opening from App menu |
| Custom text components | Use system text for Mac editing ecosystem |
| Toolbar overload | Demote secondary actions, group by function |
| Glass on content | Reserve Liquid Glass for navigation layer only |
| Breaking standard shortcuts | Never override ⌘C, ⌘V, ⌘Z, etc. |
| Single-window only | Support multiple windows when it benefits workflows |
List & Monetize Your Skill
Submit your Claude Code skill and start earning
Use Cases
Task Automation & Efficiency
Automate repetitive workflows and reduce manual effort
Example
Generate reports, summarize documents, draft communications
Save 3-5 hours per week on routine tasks
Knowledge Enhancement
Learn new skills, understand complex topics, get expert guidance
Example
Explain concepts, provide examples, suggest learning resources
Accelerate learning and skill development by 2x
Quality Improvement
Enhance output quality through reviews, suggestions, and refinements
Example
Review drafts, suggest improvements, catch errors
Improve work quality by 30-40% with less effort
Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- ›Claude Desktop or compatible AI client with skill support
- ›Clear understanding of task or problem to solve
- ›Willingness to iterate and refine outputs
Time Estimate
15-45 minutes depending on use case complexity
Steps
- 1Install skill using provided installation command
- 2Test with simple use case relevant to your work
- 3Evaluate output quality and relevance
- 4Iterate on prompts to improve results
- 5Integrate into regular workflow if valuable
Common Pitfalls
- ⚠Expecting perfect results without iteration
- ⚠Not providing enough context in prompts
- ⚠Using skill for tasks outside its intended scope
- ⚠Accepting outputs without review and validation
Best Practices
✓ Do
- +Start with clear, specific prompts
- +Provide relevant context and constraints
- +Review and refine all outputs before using
- +Iterate to improve output quality
- +Document successful prompt patterns
✗ Don't
- −Don't use without understanding skill limitations
- −Don't skip validation of outputs
- −Don't share sensitive information in prompts
- −Don't expect skill to replace human judgment
💡 Pro Tips
- ★Be specific about desired format and style
- ★Ask for multiple options to choose from
- ★Request explanations to understand reasoning
- ★Combine AI efficiency with human expertise
When to Use This
✓ Use when
Use when skill capabilities match your task, clear ROI on time saved, and you can validate outputs. Best for repetitive tasks, learning, and quality improvement.
✗ Avoid when
Avoid when task requires deep expertise you can't validate, involves sensitive decisions, or when learning process is more valuable than speed of completion.
Learning Path
- 1Familiarize yourself with skill capabilities and limitations
- 2Start with low-risk, non-critical tasks
- 3Progress to more complex and valuable use cases
- 4Build expertise through regular use and experimentation
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Reviews
- AAisha Thompson★★★★★Dec 28, 2024
Keeps context tight: macos-app-design is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.
- AAnika Diallo★★★★★Dec 20, 2024
macos-app-design is among the better-maintained entries we tried; worth keeping pinned for repeat workflows.
- MMateo Robinson★★★★★Dec 20, 2024
Registry listing for macos-app-design matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
- CChaitanya Patil★★★★★Dec 8, 2024
Keeps context tight: macos-app-design is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.
- PPiyush G★★★★★Nov 27, 2024
Registry listing for macos-app-design matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
- HHassan Tandon★★★★★Nov 19, 2024
Registry listing for macos-app-design matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
- NNoor Wang★★★★★Nov 15, 2024
macos-app-design fits our agent workflows well — practical, well scoped, and easy to wire into existing repos.
- DDaniel Khan★★★★★Nov 11, 2024
macos-app-design reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.
- HHana Haddad★★★★★Nov 11, 2024
Keeps context tight: macos-app-design is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.
- SShikha Mishra★★★★★Oct 18, 2024
macos-app-design reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.
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