# Layout Grid

Grid and alignment rules for a macOS SwiftUI app, with three checks that catch...

- Repository: https://github.com/daveebbelaar/bama (1284 stars)
- Category: Mobile
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add daveebbelaar/bama --skill layout-grid -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add daveebbelaar/bama --skill layout-grid -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add daveebbelaar/bama --skill layout-grid -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add daveebbelaar/bama --skill layout-grid -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add daveebbelaar/bama`

## Description

Grid and alignment rules for a macOS SwiftUI app, with three checks that catch misalignment (a lint for off-grid numbers, a layout probe that measures real frames in snapshot mode, and a grid overlay). Use when building or reviewing a custom page, card, row, form, or sheet, after every build that touched layout, or when the user says something looks misaligned, crooked, cramped, or unevenly spaced.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Layout grid

Agents guess numbers. A guessed `.padding(13)` looks almost right and
makes the whole app feel slightly off. This skill replaces guessing with
one scale and three checks that fail when something is off.

The template has everything in place: `Sources/<App>/UI/Grid.swift` and
`tools/`. For an app made before this skill, copy `UI/Grid.swift`,
`tools/grid-lint.sh`, and `tools/check-layout.swift` from the `new-mac-app`
skill's template, and the layout file line from its `Snapshot.swift`.

## The rules

1. Every padding, spacing, and size comes from `Space`: `xs 4`, `sm 8`,
   `md 12`, `lg 16`, `xl 20`, `xxl 24`, `section 32`. Raw numbers are
   0, 1, 2, or a multiple of 4.
2. Pages and windows have a 20 pt margin (`Space.margin`). Cards pad 16
   (`Space.lg`). Related controls sit 8 apart, groups 20 to 24, sections 32.
3. Each column has one leading edge. Titles, text, cards, and buttons in a
   column start on the same x. Indent on purpose, by a step of the scale.
4. Let containers do the aligning:
   - Labels with controls: `Form` with `.formStyle(.grouped)`, or
     `.columns` for the Mac layout of right-aligned labels.
   - Rows and columns of values: `Grid` and `GridRow`.
   - A label with a value: `LabeledContent`.
   - Text of different sizes in one row: `HStack(alignment: .firstTextBaseline)`.
   - Numbers in a column: `.monospacedDigit()`, trailing aligned.
   - An icon with text: `Label`.
5. Sheets are 360, 480, or 640 wide. Controls take their height from
   `.controlSize`, never from a fixed height.
6. Nested corners are concentric: inner radius = outer radius - padding.
7. `.offset` and `.position` move a view after layout, so nothing lines up
   with it. Use them only for motion and drag previews, with
   `// grid: ok <why>` on the line.
8. Long text truncates with its full value in a tooltip. Nothing clips.

## Check 1: lint the code

Run it after every build that touched views:

The rest: https://github.com/daveebbelaar/bama/blob/HEAD/skills/design/layout-grid/SKILL.md