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
- Organize hierarchically. Structure information from broad categories to specific details. Sidebars for top-level sections, lists for browsable items, detail views for individual content.
- 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.
- Adapt to screen size. Three-column on iPad collapses to single-column on iPhone. Use size classes and adaptive APIs (NavigationSplitView) for automatic adaptation.
- Support multitasking on iPad. Respond gracefully to Split View, Slide Over, and Stage Manager. Test at every split ratio and size class transition.
- Maintain spatial consistency on visionOS. Windows, volumes, and ornaments in shared space. Position predictably. Use ornaments for toolbars and controls without occluding content.
- Use scroll views for overflow content. Enable paging for discrete content units. Support pull-to-refresh where appropriate. Respect safe areas.
- 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.
- Prefer system components. UINavigationController, UISplitViewController, NavigationSplitView, and TabView provide built-in adaptivity, accessibility, and state restoration.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| sidebars.md | Sidebars | Source lists, selection state, collapsible sections, iPad/Mac patterns |
| column-views.md | Column Views | Finder-style browsing, progressive disclosure through columns |
| outline-views.md | Outline Views | Expandable hierarchies, disclosure triangles, tree structures |
| split-views.md | Split Views | Two/three column layouts, NavigationSplitView, adaptive collapse |
| tab-views.md | Tab Views | Segmented tabs, page-style tabs, macOS tab grouping |
| tab-bars.md | Tab Bars | Bottom tab bars (iOS), badge counts, max tab count |
| scroll-views.md | Scroll Views | Paging, scroll indicators, content insets, pull-to-refresh |
| windows.md | Windows | macOS/visionOS window management, sizing, full-screen, restoration |
| panels.md | Panels | Inspector panels, utility panels, floating panels, macOS conventions |
| lists-and-tables.md | Lists and Tables | Plain/grouped/inset-grouped styles, swipe actions, section headers |
| boxes.md | Boxes | Content grouping containers, labeled boxes, macOS grouping |
| ornaments.md | Ornaments | visionOS toolbar attachments, positioning, visibility |
Navigation Pattern Selection
| App Structure | Recommended Pattern | Platform Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| 3-5 peer top-level sections | Tab Bar | iPhone: bottom tab bar. iPad: sidebar (.sidebarAdaptable, iPadOS 18+). Mac: sidebar or toolbar tabs |
| Deep hierarchical content | Sidebar + NavigationSplitView | iPhone: single column stack. iPad: two/three columns. Mac: full multi-column |
| Deep file/folder tree | Column View | Mac: Finder-style. iPad: adaptable. iPhone: push navigation |
| Flat list with detail | Split View (two column) | iPhone: push/pop stack. iPad/Mac: primary + detail columns |
| Document-based with inspectors | Window + Panels | Mac: main window with inspector. iPad: sheet or popover |
| Spatial app with tools | Window + Ornaments | visionOS: ornaments on window. Other platforms: toolbars |
Layout Adaptation Checklist
- Compact width (iPhone portrait): Navigation collapses to single stack? Tab bars visible?
- Regular width (iPad landscape, Mac): Navigation expands to sidebar + detail? Space used well?
- Multitasking (iPad): Adapts at every split ratio? Works in Slide Over?
- Accessibility: Supports Dynamic Type at all sizes? VoiceOver order logical?
- Orientation: Content reflows between portrait and landscape?
- visionOS: Windows positioned ergonomically? Ornaments accessible? Depth meaningful?
Output Format
- Recommended navigation pattern with rationale for the app's information architecture.
- Layout hierarchy from root container down (e.g., TabView > NavigationSplitView > List > Detail).
- Platform adaptation across targeted platforms and size classes.
- Size class behavior at each transition.
Questions to Ask
- What is the app's information architecture? (Sections, hierarchy depth, top-level categories?)
- How many top-level sections?
- Which platforms?
- Need multitasking on iPad?
- SwiftUI or UIKit?
Related Skills
- hig-foundations -- Layout spacing, margins, safe areas, alignment
- hig-platforms -- Platform-specific navigation conventions
- hig-patterns -- Multitasking, full-screen, and launching patterns
- hig-components-content -- Content displayed within layout containers
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When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.