# HIG Doctor

Search Apple Human Interface Guidelines and audit project code against them. Useful when you need a reference for an interface decision or want to inspect audit findings.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 148
- Author: raintree-technology
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor/tree/HEAD/packages/mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/hig-doctor

## What it does

The server gives an agent access to Apple Human Interface Guidelines. It can search reference topics or retrieve a section by skill and topic. Audit a project directory or a single file; findings include severity, line information, and guidance for fixes. The file audit suits a quick check after an edit.

Six tools cover browsing available skills, searching references, running audits, and explaining a finding with a cited HIG excerpt. The reference content is a snapshot dated 2025-02-02, so consult Apple's current guidelines when you need the latest wording. An audit is static evidence, not proof of HIG conformance, accessibility, or design quality.

For Claude Code, add the server with `claude mcp add hig-doctor -- npx -y hig-mcp`. Built deployments require Node 20 or later; Bun can run the source directly. HTTP mode has no authentication or TLS, so keep it behind a trusted transport boundary.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)
- Environment variables: `HIG_SKILLS_DIR` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add --env HIG_SKILLS_DIR=<HIG_SKILLS_DIR> --transport stdio mcp -- npx -y hig-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add mcp --env HIG_SKILLS_DIR=<HIG_SKILLS_DIR> -- npx -y hig-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "mcp": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "hig-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "HIG_SKILLS_DIR": "<HIG_SKILLS_DIR>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "mcp": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "hig-mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "HIG_SKILLS_DIR": "<HIG_SKILLS_DIR>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e HIG_SKILLS_DIR=<HIG_SKILLS_DIR> mcp npx -y hig-mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

## When to use it
- find HIG guidance for an interface topic
- audit a project directory for HIG findings
- check an edited file against the guidelines
- inspect the rule behind an audit finding

## Example prompts
- Find Apple's guidance on choosing interface colors.
- Audit this project directory against HIG and group the findings by category.
- Explain the audit finding and show the cited rule.

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From the same set: [raintree-technology/hig-doctor](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/raintree-technology/hig-doctor.md) — 15 cards

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