macos-design

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