SwiftUI Expert Skill#

Overview#

Use this skill to build, review, or improve SwiftUI features with correct state management, modern API usage, Swift concurrency best practices, optimal view composition, and iOS 26+ Liquid Glass styling. Prioritize native APIs, Apple design guidance, and performance-conscious patterns. This skill focuses on facts and best practices without enforcing specific architectural patterns.

Workflow Decision Tree#

1) Review existing SwiftUI code#

• Check property wrapper usage against the selection guide (see references/state-management.md)
• Verify modern API usage (see references/modern-apis.md)
• Verify view composition follows extraction rules (see references/view-structure.md)
• Check performance patterns are applied (see references/performance-patterns.md)
• Verify list patterns use stable identity (see references/list-patterns.md)
• Check animation patterns for correctness (see references/animation-basics.md, references/animation-transitions.md)
• Inspect Liquid Glass usage for correctness and consistency (see references/liquid-glass.md)
• Validate iOS 26+ availability handling with sensible fallbacks

2) Improve existing SwiftUI code#

• Audit state management for correct wrapper selection (prefer @Observable over ObservableObject)
• Replace deprecated APIs with modern equivalents (see references/modern-apis.md)
• Extract complex views into separate subviews (see references/view-structure.md)
• Refactor hot paths to minimize redundant state updates (see references/performance-patterns.md)
• Ensure ForEach uses stable identity (see references/list-patterns.md)
• Improve animation patterns (use value parameter, proper transitions, see references/animation-basics.md, references/animation-transitions.md)
• Suggest image downsampling when UIImage(data:) is used (as optional optimization, see references/image-optimization.md)
• Adopt Liquid Glass only when explicitly requested by the user

3) Implement new SwiftUI feature#

• Design data flow first: identify owned vs injected state (see references/state-management.md)
• Use modern APIs (no deprecated modifiers or patterns, see references/modern-apis.md)
• Use @Observable for shared state (with @MainActor if not using default actor isolation)
• Structure views for optimal diffing (extract subviews early, keep views small, see references/view-structure.md)
• Separate business logic into testable models (see references/layout-best-practices.md)
• Use correct animation patterns (implicit vs explicit, transitions, see references/animation-basics.md, references/animation-transitions.md, references/animation-advanced.md)
• Apply glass effects after layout/appearance modifiers (see references/liquid-glass.md)
• Gate iOS 26+ features with #available and provide fallbacks

Core Guidelines#

State Management#

• Always prefer @Observable over ObservableObject for new code
• Mark @Observable classes with @MainActor unless using default actor isolation
• Always mark @State and @StateObject as private (makes dependencies clear)
• Never declare passed values as @State or @StateObject (they only accept initial values)
• Use @State with @Observable classes (not @StateObject)
• @Binding only when child needs to modify parent state
• @Bindable for injected @Observable objects needing bindings
• Use let for read-only values; var + .onChange() for reactive reads
• Legacy: @StateObject for owned ObservableObject; @ObservedObject for injected
• Nested ObservableObject doesn't work (pass nested objects directly); @Observable handles nesting fine

Modern APIs#

• Use foregroundStyle() instead of foregroundColor()
• Use clipShape(.rect(cornerRadius:)) instead of cornerRadius()
• Use Tab API instead of tabItem()
• Use Button instead of onTapGesture() (unless need location/count)
• Use NavigationStack instead of NavigationView
• Use navigationDestination(for:) for type-safe navigation
• Use two-parameter or no-parameter onChange() variant
• Use ImageRenderer for rendering SwiftUI views
• Use .sheet(item:) instead of .sheet(isPresented:) for model-based content
• Sheets should own their actions and call dismiss() internally
• Use ScrollViewReader for programmatic scrolling with stable IDs
• Avoid UIScreen.main.bounds for sizing
• Avoid GeometryReader when alternatives exist (e.g., containerRelativeFrame())

Swift Best Practices#

• Use modern Text formatting ( .format parameters, not String(format:))
• Use localizedStandardContains() for user-input filtering (not contains())
• Prefer static member lookup ( .blue vs Color.blue)
• Use .task modifier for automatic cancellation of async work
• Use .task(id:) for value-dependent tasks

View Composition#

• Prefer modifiers over conditional views for state changes (maintains view identity)
• Extract complex views into separate subviews for better readability and performance
• Keep views small for optimal performance
• Keep view body simple and pure (no side effects or complex logic)
• Use @ViewBuilder functions only for small, simple sections
• Prefer @ViewBuilder let content: Content over closure-based content properties
• Separate business logic into testable models (not about enforcing architectures)
• Action handlers should reference methods, not contain inline logic
• Use relative layout over hard-coded constants
• Views should work in any context (don't assume screen size or presentation style)

Performance#

• Pass only needed values to views (avoid large "config" or "context" objects)
• Eliminate unnecessary dependencies to reduce update fan-out
• Check for value changes before assigning state in hot paths
• Avoid redundant state updates in onReceive, onChange, scroll handlers
• Minimize work in frequently executed code paths
• Use LazyVStack/ LazyHStack for large lists
• Use stable identity for ForEach (never .indices for dynamic content)
• Ensure constant number of views per ForEach element
• Avoid inline filtering in ForEach (prefilter and cache)
• Avoid AnyView in list rows
• Consider POD views for fast diffing (or wrap expensive views in POD parents)
• Suggest image downsampling when UIImage(data:) is encountered (as optional optimization)
• Avoid layout thrash (deep hierarchies, excessive GeometryReader)
• Gate frequent geometry updates by thresholds
• Use Self._printChanges() to debug unexpected view updates

Animations#

• Use .animation(_:value:) with value parameter (deprecated version without value is too broad)
• Use withAnimation for event-driven animations (button taps, gestures)
• Prefer transforms ( offset, scale, rotation) over layout changes ( frame) for performance
• Transitions require animations outside the conditional structure
• Custom Animatable implementations must have explicit animatableData
• Use .phaseAnimator for multi-step sequences (iOS 17+)
• Use .keyframeAnimator for precise timing control (iOS 17+)
• Animation completion handlers need .transaction(value:) for reexecution
• Implicit animations override explicit animations (later in view tree wins)

Liquid Glass (iOS 26+)#

Only adopt when explicitly requested by the user.

• Use native glassEffect, GlassEffectContainer, and glass button styles
• Wrap multiple glass elements in GlassEffectContainer
• Apply .glassEffect() after layout and visual modifiers
• Use .interactive() only for tappable/focusable elements
• Use glassEffectID with @Namespace for morphing transitions

Quick Reference#

Property Wrapper Selection (Modern)#

WrapperUse When@StateInternal view state (must be private), or owned @Observable class@BindingChild modifies parent's state@BindableInjected @Observable needing bindingsletRead-only value from parentvarRead-only value watched via .onChange()

Legacy (Pre-iOS 17):

WrapperUse When@StateObjectView owns an ObservableObject (use @State with @Observable instead)@ObservedObjectView receives an ObservableObject

Modern API Replacements#

DeprecatedModern AlternativeforegroundColor()``foregroundStyle()``cornerRadius()``clipShape(.rect(cornerRadius:))``tabItem()``Tab APIonTapGesture()``Button (unless need location/count)NavigationView``NavigationStack``onChange(of:) { value in }``onChange(of:) { old, new in } or onChange(of:) { }``fontWeight(.bold)``bold()``GeometryReader``containerRelativeFrame() or visualEffect()``showsIndicators: false``.scrollIndicators(.hidden)``String(format: "%.2f", value)``Text(value, format: .number.precision(.fractionLength(2)))``string.contains(search)``string.localizedStandardContains(search) (for user input)

Liquid Glass Patterns#

swift

// Basic glass effect with fallback
if #available(iOS 26, *) {
    content
        .padding()
        .glassEffect(.regular.interactive(), in: .rect(cornerRadius: 16))
} else {
    content
        .padding()
        .background(.ultraThinMaterial, in: RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 16))
}

// Grouped glass elements
GlassEffectContainer(spacing: 24) {
    HStack(spacing: 24) {
        GlassButton1()
        GlassButton2()
    }
}

// Glass buttons
Button("Confirm") { }
    .buttonStyle(.glassProminent)

Review Checklist#

State Management#

• Using @Observable instead of ObservableObject for new code
• @Observable classes marked with @MainActor (if needed)
• Using @State with @Observable classes (not @StateObject)
• @State and @StateObject properties are private
• Passed values NOT declared as @State or @StateObject
• @Binding only where child modifies parent state
• @Bindable for injected @Observable needing bindings
• Nested ObservableObject avoided (or passed directly to child views)

Modern APIs (see references/modern-apis.md)#

• Using foregroundStyle() instead of foregroundColor()
• Using clipShape(.rect(cornerRadius:)) instead of cornerRadius()
• Using Tab API instead of tabItem()
• Using Button instead of onTapGesture() (unless need location/count)
• Using NavigationStack instead of NavigationView
• Avoiding UIScreen.main.bounds
• Using alternatives to GeometryReader when possible
• Button images include text labels for accessibility

Sheets & Navigation (see references/sheet-navigation-patterns.md)#

• Using .sheet(item:) for model-based sheets
• Sheets own their actions and dismiss internally
• Using navigationDestination(for:) for type-safe navigation

ScrollView (see references/scroll-patterns.md)#

• Using ScrollViewReader with stable IDs for programmatic scrolling
• Using .scrollIndicators(.hidden) instead of initializer parameter

Text & Formatting (see references/text-formatting.md)#

• Using modern Text formatting (not String(format:))
• Using localizedStandardContains() for search filtering

View Structure (see references/view-structure.md)#

• Using modifiers instead of conditionals for state changes
• Complex views extracted to separate subviews
• Views kept small for performance
• Container views use @ViewBuilder let content: Content

Performance (see references/performance-patterns.md)#

• View body kept simple and pure (no side effects)
• Passing only needed values (not large config objects)
• Eliminating unnecessary dependencies
• State updates check for value changes before assigning
• Hot paths minimize state updates
• No object creation in body
• Heavy computation moved out of body

List Patterns (see references/list-patterns.md)#

• ForEach uses stable identity (not .indices)
• Constant number of views per ForEach element
• No inline filtering in ForEach
• No AnyView in list rows

Layout (see references/layout-best-practices.md)#

• Avoiding layout thrash (deep hierarchies, excessive GeometryReader)
• Gating frequent geometry updates by thresholds
• Business logic separated into testable models
• Action handlers reference methods (not inline logic)
• Using relative layout (not hard-coded constants)
• Views work in any context (context-agnostic)

Animations (see references/animation-basics.md, references/animation-transitions.md, references/animation-advanced.md)#

• Using .animation(_:value:) with value parameter
• Using withAnimation for event-driven animations
• Transitions paired with animations outside conditional structure
• Custom Animatable has explicit animatableData implementation
• Preferring transforms over layout changes for animation performance
• Phase animations for multi-step sequences (iOS 17+)
• Keyframe animations for precise timing (iOS 17+)
• Completion handlers use .transaction(value:) for reexecution

Liquid Glass (iOS 26+)#

• #available(iOS 26, *) with fallback for Liquid Glass
• Multiple glass views wrapped in GlassEffectContainer
• .glassEffect() applied after layout/appearance modifiers
• .interactive() only on user-interactable elements
• Shapes and tints consistent across related elements

References#

• references/state-management.md - Property wrappers and data flow (prefer @Observable)
• references/view-structure.md - View composition, extraction, and container patterns
• references/performance-patterns.md - Performance optimization techniques and anti-patterns
• references/list-patterns.md - ForEach identity, stability, and list best practices
• references/layout-best-practices.md - Layout patterns, context-agnostic views, and testability
• references/modern-apis.md - Modern API usage and deprecated replacements
• references/animation-basics.md - Core animation concepts, implicit/explicit animations, timing, performance
• references/animation-transitions.md - Transitions, custom transitions, Animatable protocol
• references/animation-advanced.md - Transactions, phase/keyframe animations (iOS 17+), completion handlers (iOS 17+)
• references/sheet-navigation-patterns.md - Sheet presentation and navigation patterns
• references/scroll-patterns.md - ScrollView patterns and programmatic scrolling
• references/text-formatting.md - Modern text formatting and string operations
• references/image-optimization.md - AsyncImage, image downsampling, and optimization
• references/liquid-glass.md - iOS 26+ Liquid Glass API

Philosophy#

This skill focuses on facts and best practices, not architectural opinions:

• We don't enforce specific architectures (e.g., MVVM, VIPER)
• We do encourage separating business logic for testability
• We prioritize modern APIs over deprecated ones
• We emphasize thread safety with @MainActor and @Observable
• We optimize for performance and maintainability
• We follow Apple's Human Interface Guidelines and API design patterns