How do I write a Mac app

Asked on 07/30/2024

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To write a Mac app, you can leverage several tools and frameworks introduced and updated at WWDC 2024. Here are some key sessions and features that can help you get started:

  1. Xcode and Swiftassist:

    • Swiftassist is a new tool integrated into Xcode that helps with prototyping and coding tasks. It can assist you in visualizing ideas, adding images, and even playing sounds in your app. This tool is particularly useful for quickly getting started with a new project.
    • Platforms State of the Union (23:53)

  2. AppKit:

    • AppKit has received several updates in macOS Sequoia, including new system-wide features, SwiftUI integrations, and API refinements. These updates can help you adopt new macOS features and improve your app's user experience.
    • What’s new in AppKit (00:07)

  3. SwiftUI:

    • SwiftUI now offers more customization options for macOS windows, including new scene types like utility windows and APIs for window placement and behavior. This can help you create a more tailored and polished user interface.
    • Tailor macOS windows with SwiftUI (00:07)

  4. Core Spotlight:

    • If your app needs advanced search capabilities, you can use Core Spotlight to support semantic search. This involves creating a new target in your project and configuring a Core Spotlight delegate extension.
    • Support semantic search with Core Spotlight (05:05)

  5. Embedded Swift:

    • For apps that interact with hardware or embedded systems, you can use Embedded Swift. This allows you to write clean, intuitive Swift code for embedded devices, which can be particularly useful for HomeKit accessories.
    • Go small with Embedded Swift (03:39)

By exploring these sessions and utilizing the tools and frameworks mentioned, you can effectively write and enhance your Mac app. If you need more specific guidance on any of these topics, feel free to ask!

Tailor macOS windows with SwiftUI

Tailor macOS windows with SwiftUI

Make your windows feel tailor-made for macOS. Fine-tune your app’s windows for focused purposes, ease of use, and to express functionality. Use SwiftUI to style window toolbars and backgrounds. Arrange your windows with precision, and make smart decisions about restoration and minimization.

Support semantic search with Core Spotlight

Support semantic search with Core Spotlight

Learn how to provide semantic search results in your app using Core Spotlight. Understand how to make your app’s content available in the user’s private, on-device index so people can search for items using natural language. We’ll also share how to optimize your app’s performance by scheduling indexing activities. To get the most out of this session, we recommend first checking out Core Spotlight documentation on the Apple Developer website.

Go small with Embedded Swift

Go small with Embedded Swift

Embedded Swift brings the safety and expressivity of Swift to constrained environments. Explore how Embedded Swift runs on a variety of microcontrollers through a demonstration using an off-the-shelf Matter device. Learn how the Embedded Swift subset packs the benefits of Swift into a tiny footprint with no runtime, and discover plenty of resources to start your own Embedded Swift adventure.