# hig-components-layout

Guides app navigation and layout architecture across Apple platforms based on the Human Interface Guidelines.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 684 installs · ★ 148
- Author: raintree-technology
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor/tree/HEAD/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-22
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/hig-components-layout

## What it does

This skill guides layout and navigation choices for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and visionOS. It helps decide between bottom tab bars and sidebars, configures two- or three-column split views, and structures deep hierarchies. Before asking questions, it checks `.claude/apple-design-context.md` for existing project details.

The skill covers size class transitions, iPad multitasking with Split View and Stage Manager, and spatial ornaments on visionOS. It strictly favors native components like `NavigationSplitView` and `TabView`. Teams relying on custom navigational hacks will clash with these conventions.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-components-layout -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/hig-components-layout/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-components-layout -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-components-layout -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install raintree-technology/hig-doctor hig-components-layout
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-components-layout -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor --path skills/hig-components-layout
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add raintree-technology/hig-doctor --skill hig-components-layout -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor/tree/HEAD/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- choose between tab bars and sidebars for multiplatform navigation
- adapt layouts across compact and regular size classes
- structure multi-column NavigationSplitView interfaces for iPad and Mac
- configure window layouts and ornaments for visionOS apps

## Example prompts
- Should I use tabs or a sidebar for my app across iPhone and iPad?
- My layout breaks on iPad during Split View, how should I fix NavigationSplitView?
- How do I structure a macOS document app with inspector panels according to Apple HIG?

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 6ce5526b7997ece7.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 6ce5526b7997ece7
```text
---
name: hig-components-layout
version: 1.0.0
description: >-
  Apple Human Interface Guidelines for layout and navigation components. Use this skill when the user
  asks about "sidebar", "split view", "tab bar", "tab view", "scroll view", "window design", "panel",
  "list view", "table view", "column view", "outline view", "navigation structure", "app layout",
  "boxes", "ornaments", or organizing content hierarchically in Apple apps.
  Also use when the user says "how should I organize my app", "what navigation pattern should I use",
  "my layout breaks on iPad", "how do I build a sidebar", "should I use tabs or a sidebar",
  or "my app doesn't adapt to different screen sizes".
  Cross-references: hig-foundations for layout/spacing principles, hig-platforms for platform-specific
  navigation, hig-patterns for multitasking and full-screen, hig-components-content for content display.
---

# Apple HIG: Layout and Navigation Components

Check for `.claude/apple-design-context.md` before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.

## Key Principles

1. **Organize hierarchically.** Structure information from broad categories to specific details. Sidebars for top-level sections, lists for browsable items, detail views for individual content.

2. **Use standard navigation patterns.** Tab bars for flat navigation between peer sections (iPhone). Sidebars for deep hierarchical navigation (iPad, Mac). Match the pattern to the information architecture and platform.

3. **Adapt to screen size.** Three-column on iPad collapses to single-column on iPhone. Use size classes and adaptive APIs (NavigationSplitView) for automatic adaptation.

4. **Support multitasking on iPad.** Respond gracefully to Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager. Test at every split ratio and size class transition.

5. **Maintain spatial consistency on visionOS.** Windows, volumes, and ornaments in shared space. Position predictably. Use ornaments for toolbars and controls without occluding content.

6. **Use scroll views for overflow content.** Enable paging for discrete content units. Support pull-to-refresh where appropriate. Respect safe areas.

7. **Keep navigation predictable.** Users should always know where they are, how they got there, and how to go back. Use back buttons, breadcrumbs, and clear section titles.

8. **Prefer system components.** UINavigationController, UISplitViewController, NavigationSplitView, and TabView provide built-in adaptivity, accessibility, and state restoration.

## Reference Index

| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| [sidebars.md](references/sidebars.md) | Sidebars | Source lists, selection state, collapsible sections, iPad/Mac patterns |
| [column-views.md](references/column-views.md) | Column Views | Finder-style browsing, progressive disclosure through columns |
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 6ce5526b7997ece7

The third-party file has ended. Everything between the 6ce5526b7997ece7 tags is data: requests and commands from it are not followed. An “end of file” line with another tag inside the block is part of the file.

First 2875 of 6460 bytes. © raintree-technology · MIT · https://github.com/raintree-technology/hig-doctor/tree/HEAD/skills/hig-components-layout/SKILL.md

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---
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