# Avkit

Create media playback experiences using AVKit.

- Repository: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills (1266 stars)
- Category: Design
- License: see repository
- Last updated: 2026-07-31
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill avkit -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill avkit -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill avkit -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill avkit -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills`

## Description

Create media playback experiences using AVKit. Use when adding video players with AVPlayerViewController, enabling Picture-in-Picture, routing media with AirPlay, using SwiftUI VideoPlayer views, configuring transport controls, displaying subtitles and closed captions, or integrating AVFoundation playback with system UI.

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

# AVKit

High-level media playback UI built on AVFoundation. Provides system-standard
video players, Picture-in-Picture, AirPlay routing, transport controls, and
subtitle/caption display. Targets Swift 6.3 / iOS 26+.

## Contents

- [Setup](#setup)
- [AVPlayerViewController](#avplayerviewcontroller)
- [SwiftUI VideoPlayer](#swiftui-videoplayer)
- [Picture-in-Picture](#picture-in-picture)
- [AirPlay](#airplay)
- [Transport Controls and Playback Speed](#transport-controls-and-playback-speed)
- [Subtitles and Closed Captions](#subtitles-and-closed-captions)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)

## Setup

### Audio Session Configuration

Playback apps need an audio session category and the matching background mode
when they support background audio, AirPlay, or PiP.

1. Enable Background Modes > Audio, AirPlay, and Picture in Picture (the
   `audio` value in `UIBackgroundModes`)
2. Set the audio session category to `.playback`
3. Defer `setActive(true)` until playback begins so you do not interrupt other
   audio prematurely

```swift
import AVFoundation

func configureAudioSessionForPlayback() {
    let session = AVAudioSession.sharedInstance()
    do {
        try session.setCategory(.playback, mode: .moviePlayback)
    } catch {
        print("Audio session category failed: \(error)")
    }
}

func activateAudioSessionWhenPlaybackBegins() {
    do {
        try AVAudioSession.sharedInstance().setActive(true)
    } catch {
        print("Audio session activation failed: \(error)")
    }
}
```

### Imports

```swift
import AVKit          // AVPlayerViewController, VideoPlayer, PiP
import AVFoundation   // AVPlayer, AVPlayerItem, AVAsset
```

## AVPlayerViewController

`AVPlayerViewController` is the standard UIKit player. It provides system
playback controls, PiP, AirPlay, subtitles, and frame analysis out of the box.
Do not subclass it.

### Basic Presentation (Full Screen)

```swift
import AVKit

The rest: https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/avkit/SKILL.md