# Mac Design

Design rules that make a SwiftUI app look and feel like a native Mac app on macOS 26...

- Repository: https://github.com/daveebbelaar/bama (1284 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: yes, review before use

## Install

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

## Description

Design rules that make a SwiftUI app look and feel like a native Mac app on macOS 26 and later, from Apple's eight design principles to Liquid Glass, layout, toolbars, menus, search, keyboard, type, color, and dark mode. Use when building or reviewing any window, sidebar, toolbar, menu, panel, or settings screen, or when the user asks for a more native, Apple-like, or better designed app.

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

# Mac design

Apple already designed your app. Pick the right system parts, arrange them,
and stay out of their way. Use the system first. Add custom design only
where the system has nothing.

- The full checklist with sources: [design-rules.md](design-rules.md).
  Use it for reviews.
- Copyable SwiftUI code: [patterns.md](patterns.md).
- The Settings window: [settings.md](settings.md).
- Toolbars: which item goes where, per column: [toolbars.md](toolbars.md).
- The menu bar, context menus, and the Dock menu: [menus.md](menus.md).
- Apple's current text on one topic, when a rule here is not enough:
  `"${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts/hig.sh" <topic>` (for example `toolbars`,
  `sheets`). It prints the HIG page as plain text.
- App-wide tokens (colors, radii, motion): call the Skill tool with
  `design-system`.
- How a feature works and what it says (names, flow, modals, errors,
  accessibility): call the Skill tool with `ux-design`.
- Spacing, alignment, and the checks that catch misalignment: call the
  Skill tool with `layout-grid`.
- Parts of your own instead of Apple's: call the Skill tool with
  `design-kit`, or `design-from-app` to match an app the user names.

## Apple's eight principles

Use them as the review lens for every screen (HIG Design principles, 2026):

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