macos-patterns — Claude Code skill: install and use
Guides native macOS app work with menu bar UI, windows, focus behaviour and platform-specific APIs.
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a claude-codeWhat macos-patterns does
macos-patterns gives the agent native macOS guidance for application code across SwiftUI and AppKit. It covers MenuBarExtra, NSStatusItem, NSPopover, application activation policy, NSPanel, window levels and Spaces behaviour.
The skill addresses cases where web assumptions produce incorrect macOS code: window ordering is not just z-index, and screen coordinates start at the bottom left. It also covers focus settings, click-through floating panels and screen-capture exclusion with sharingType. If your design starts from a web window model, that is a reason to check it before writing the implementation.
What it helps with
- build a menu bar app with
MenuBarExtra - configure
NSStatusItemfor a custom menu - show a floating panel without taking focus
- toggle Dock visibility for an app
- keep a window visible over full-screen apps
Example prompts for the agent
- “Create a macOS menu bar app with a settings window.”
- “Add a floating macOS panel that does not take focus and lets clicks pass through.”
- “Explain how to set window levels and show a window across all Spaces on macOS.”
How to install macos-patterns
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/macos-patterns/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install fayazara/macos-app-skills macos-patterns2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/fayazara/macos-app-skills --path macos-patternsManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about macos-patterns
How do I install macos-patterns in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a claude-code, then run npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-patterns -a claude-code again. The skill is placed at ~/.claude/skills/macos-patterns/SKILL.md.
What does macos-patterns do?
It gives an agent a reference for native macOS development patterns. The material covers menu bar UI, panels, windows, app activation and selected system APIs.
When should I use NSPanel instead of NSWindow?
NSPanel is suited to auxiliary UI that can remain above other windows without taking focus. The skill uses it for overlays, palettes and indicators.
