macos-spm-app-packaging

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Scaffold, build, and package SwiftPM-based macOS apps without an Xcode project. Use when you need a from-scratch macOS app layout, SwiftPM targets/resources, a custom .app bundle assembly script, or signing/notarization/appcast steps outside Xcode.

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Sourcedimillian/skills

Added on2026-02-04

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add dimillian/skills macos-spm-app-packaging

SKILL.md Content

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macOS SwiftPM App Packaging (No Xcode)

Overview

Bootstrap a complete SwiftPM macOS app folder, then build, package, and run it without Xcode. Use

assets/templates/bootstrap/

for the starter layout and

references/packaging.md

+

references/release.md

for packaging and release details.

Two-Step Workflow

Bootstrap the project folder
- Copy
```
assets/templates/bootstrap/
```
  into a new repo.
- Rename
```
MyApp
```
  in
```
Package.swift
```
  ,
```
Sources/MyApp/
```
  , and
```
version.env
```
  .
- Customize
```
APP_NAME
```
  ,
```
BUNDLE_ID
```
  , and versions.
Build, package, and run the bootstrapped app
- Copy scripts from
```
assets/templates/
```
  into your repo (for example,
```
Scripts/
```
  ).
- Build/tests:
```
swift build
```
  and
```
swift test
```
  .
- Package:
```
Scripts/package_app.sh
```
  .
- Run:
```
Scripts/compile_and_run.sh
```
  (preferred) or
```
Scripts/launch.sh
```
  .
- Release (optional):
```
Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh
```
  and
```
Scripts/make_appcast.sh
```
  .
- Tag + GitHub release (optional): create a git tag, upload the zip/appcast to the GitHub release, and publish.

Templates

```
assets/templates/package_app.sh
```
: Build binaries, create the .app bundle, copy resources, sign.
```
assets/templates/compile_and_run.sh
```
: Dev loop to kill running app, package, launch.
```
assets/templates/build_icon.sh
```
: Generate .icns from an Icon Composer file (requires Xcode install).
```
assets/templates/sign-and-notarize.sh
```
: Notarize, staple, and zip a release build.
```
assets/templates/make_appcast.sh
```
: Generate Sparkle appcast entries for updates.
```
assets/templates/setup_dev_signing.sh
```
: Create a stable dev code-signing identity.
```
assets/templates/launch.sh
```
: Simple launcher for a packaged .app.
```
assets/templates/version.env
```
: Example version file consumed by packaging scripts.
```
assets/templates/bootstrap/
```
: Minimal SwiftPM macOS app skeleton (Package.swift, Sources/, version.env).

Notes

Keep entitlements and signing configuration explicit; edit the template scripts instead of reimplementing.
Remove Sparkle steps if you do not use Sparkle for updates.
Sparkle relies on the bundle build number (
```
CFBundleVersion
```
), so
```
BUILD_NUMBER
```
in
```
version.env
```
must increase for each update.
For menu bar apps, set
```
MENU_BAR_APP=1
```
when packaging to emit
```
LSUIElement
```
in Info.plist.