Apple HIG: Interaction Patterns
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
- Minimize modality. Use modality only when it is critical to get attention, a task must be completed or abandoned, or saving changes is essential. Prefer non-modal alternatives.
- Provide clear feedback. Every action should produce visible, audible, or haptic response. Activity indicators for indeterminate waits, progress bars for determinate, haptics for physical confirmation.
- Support undo over confirmation dialogs. Destructive actions should be reversible when possible. Undo is almost always better than "Are you sure?"
- Launch quickly. Display a launch screen that transitions seamlessly into the first screen. No splash screens with logos. Restore previous state.
- Defer sign-in. Let users explore before requiring account creation. Support Sign in with Apple and passkeys.
- Keep onboarding brief. Three screens max. Let users skip. Teach through progressive disclosure and contextual hints.
- Use progressive disclosure. Show essentials first, let users drill into details. Don't overwhelm with every option on one screen.
- Respect user attention. Consolidate notifications, minimize interruptions, give users control over alerts. Never use notifications for marketing.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| charting-data.md | Charting Data | Data visualization patterns, accessible charts, interactive elements |
| collaboration-and-sharing.md | Collaboration & Sharing | Share sheets, activity views, collaborative editing, SharePlay |
| drag-and-drop.md | Drag and Drop | Drag sources, drop targets, spring loading, multi-item drag, visual feedback |
| entering-data.md | Entering Data | Text fields, pickers, steppers, input validation, keyboard types, autofill |
| feedback.md | Feedback | Alerts, action sheets, haptic patterns, sound feedback, visual indicators |
| file-management.md | File Management | Document browser, file providers, iCloud integration, document lifecycle |
| going-full-screen.md | Going Full Screen | Full-screen transitions, immersive content, exiting full screen |
| launching.md | Launching | Launch screens, state restoration, cold vs warm launch |
| live-viewing-apps.md | Live Viewing Apps | Live content display, real-time updates, Live Activities, Dynamic Island |
| loading.md | Loading | Activity indicators, progress views, skeleton screens, lazy loading, placeholders |
| managing-accounts.md | Managing Accounts | Sign in with Apple, passkeys, account creation, credential autofill, account deletion |
| managing-notifications.md | Managing Notifications | Permission requests, grouping, actionable notifications, provisional delivery |
| modality.md | Modality | Sheets, alerts, popovers, full-screen modals, when to use each |
| multitasking.md | Multitasking | iPad Split View, Slide Over, Stage Manager, responsive layout, size class transitions |
| offering-help.md | Offering Help | Contextual tips, onboarding hints, help menus, support links |
| onboarding.md | Onboarding | Welcome screens, feature highlights, progressive onboarding, skip options |
| playing-audio.md | Playing Audio | Audio sessions, background audio, Now Playing, audio routing, interruptions |
| playing-haptics.md | Playing Haptics | Core Haptics, UIFeedbackGenerator, haptic patterns, custom haptics |
| playing-video.md | Playing Video | Video player controls, picture-in-picture, AirPlay, full-screen video |
| printing.md | Printing | Print dialogs, page setup, AirPrint integration |
| ratings-and-reviews.md | Ratings & Reviews | SKStoreReviewController, timing, frequency limits, in-app feedback |
| searching.md | Searching | Search bars, suggestions, scoped search, results display, recents |
| settings.md | Settings | In-app vs Settings app, preference organization, toggles, defaults |
| undo-and-redo.md | Undo and Redo | Shake to undo, undo/redo stack, multi-level undo |
| workouts.md | Workouts | Workout sessions, live metrics, Always On display, summaries, HealthKit |
Pattern Selection Guide
| User Goal | Recommended Pattern | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| First app experience | Brief onboarding (max 3 screens) + progressive disclosure | Long tutorials, mandatory sign-up |
| Waiting for content | Skeleton screens or progress indicators | Blocking spinners with no context |
| Confirming destructive action | Undo support | Excessive "Are you sure?" dialogs |
| Collecting user input | Inline validation, smart defaults, autofill | Modal forms for simple inputs |
| Requesting permissions | Contextual, just-in-time with explanation | Requesting all permissions at launch |
| Providing feedback | Haptics + visual indicator | Silent actions with no confirmation |
| Organizing preferences | In-app settings for frequent items | Burying all settings in system Settings app |
Output Format
- Recommended pattern with rationale, citing the relevant reference file.
- Step-by-step implementation covering each screen or state.
- Platform variations for targeted platforms.
- Common pitfalls that violate HIG for this pattern.
Questions to Ask
- Where in the app does this pattern appear? What comes before and after?
- Which platforms?
- Designing from scratch or improving an existing flow?
- Does this involve sensitive actions? (Destructive operations, payments, permissions)
Related Skills
- hig-foundations -- Accessibility, color, typography, and privacy principles underlying every pattern
- hig-platforms -- Platform-specific pattern implementations
- hig-components-layout -- Structural components (tab bars, sidebars, split views) for navigation patterns
- hig-components-content -- Content display within patterns (charts, collections, search results)
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