---
name: ios-hig
description: Apple Human Interface Guidelines for iOS 26 / Swift 6.2 clinic-architecture apps. Covers navigation, interaction design, accessibility, feedback states, UX patterns, and visual design for SwiftUI implementations that follow App-target coordinators/route shells and Domain/Data boundaries. Use when designing or reviewing HIG-compliant experiences in the clinic modular MVVM-C stack.
---

# Apple iOS HIG Best Practices

Comprehensive guide for Apple Human Interface Guidelines compliance in iOS apps built with SwiftUI. Contains 34 rules across 6 categories covering navigation, interaction design, accessibility, user feedback, UX patterns, and visual design.


## Clinic Architecture Contract (iOS 26 / Swift 6.2)

All guidance in this skill assumes the clinic modular MVVM-C architecture:

- Feature modules import `Domain` + `DesignSystem` only (never `Data`, never sibling features)
- App target is the convergence point and owns `DependencyContainer`, concrete coordinators, and Route Shell wiring
- `Domain` stays pure Swift and defines models plus repository, `*Coordinating`, `ErrorRouting`, and `AppError` contracts
- `Data` owns SwiftData/network/sync/retry/background I/O and implements Domain protocols
- Read/write flow defaults to stale-while-revalidate reads and optimistic queued writes
- ViewModels call repository protocols directly (no default use-case/interactor layer)

## When to Apply

Reference these guidelines when:
- Building navigation hierarchies with tab bars, NavigationStack, or split views
- Designing touch interactions, gestures, and haptic feedback
- Ensuring accessibility with VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and color contrast
- Implementing loading states, error handling, and empty states
- Building onboarding flows, permission requests, and confirmation dialogs
- Supporting dark mode, SF Symbols, and standard layout margins
- Reviewing apps for HIG compliance

## Rule Categories by Priority

| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
|----------|----------|--------|--------|
| 1 | Navigation | CRITICAL | `nav-` |
| 2 | Interaction Design | CRITICAL | `inter-` |
| 3 | Accessibility | CRITICAL | `acc-` |
| 4 | User Feedback | HIGH | `feed-` |
| 5 | UX Patterns | HIGH | `ux-` |
| 6 | Visual Design | HIGH | `vis-` |

## Quick Reference

### 1. Navigation (CRITICAL)

- [`nav-tab-bar`](references/nav-tab-bar.md) - Design tab bars for top-level navigation
- [`nav-navigation-stack`](references/nav-navigation-stack.md) - Use NavigationStack for hierarchical navigation
- [`nav-toolbar-placement`](references/nav-toolbar-placement.md) - Place actions in toolbars using standard placements

### 2. Interaction Design (CRITICAL)

- [`inter-touch-targets`](references/inter-touch-targets.md) - Maintain 44pt minimum touch targets
- [`inter-gesture-patterns`](references/inter-gesture-patterns.md) - Use standard gesture patterns
- [`inter-haptic-feedback`](references/inter-haptic-feedback.md) - Add haptic feedback for meaningful events
- [`inter-keyboard-handling`](references/inter-keyboard-handling.md) - Handle keyboard appearance gracefully
- [`inter-drag-drop`](references/inter-drag-drop.md) - Support drag and drop for content transfer
- [`inter-pull-to-refresh`](references/inter-pull-to-refresh.md) - Support pull to refresh for lists
- [`inter-swipe-actions`](references/inter-swipe-actions.md) - Add swipe actions for contextual operations
- [`inter-list-search`](references/inter-list-search.md) - Use searchable for built-in search

### 3. Accessibility (CRITICAL)

- [`acc-labels`](references/acc-labels.md) - Provide meaningful accessibility labels
- [`acc-dynamic-type`](references/acc-dynamic-type.md) - Support Dynamic Type for all text
- [`acc-color-contrast`](references/acc-color-contrast.md) - Maintain sufficient color contrast
- [`acc-reduce-motion`](references/acc-reduce-motion.md) - Respect reduce motion preference
- [`acc-color-independent`](references/acc-color-independent.md) - Never rely on color alone
- [`acc-focus-management`](references/acc-focus-management.md) - Manage focus for assistive technologies
- [`acc-scaled-metric`](references/acc-scaled-metric.md) - Use ScaledMetric for adaptive sizing
- [`acc-view-that-fits`](references/acc-view-that-fits.md) - Use ViewThatFits for adaptive layouts

### 4. User Feedback (HIGH)

- [`feed-loading-states`](references/feed-loading-states.md) - Show appropriate loading indicators
- [`feed-error-states`](references/feed-error-states.md) - Handle errors with clear recovery actions
- [`feed-notifications`](references/feed-notifications.md) - Use notifications judiciously
- [`feed-success-confirmation`](references/feed-success-confirmation.md) - Confirm successful actions appropriately
- [`feed-empty-states`](references/feed-empty-states.md) - Design helpful empty states

### 5. UX Patterns (HIGH)

- [`ux-onboarding`](references/ux-onboarding.md) - Design minimal onboarding
- [`ux-permissions`](references/ux-permissions.md) - Request permissions in context
- [`ux-modality`](references/ux-modality.md) - Use modality appropriately
- [`ux-confirmation-dialog`](references/ux-confirmation-dialog.md) - Use confirmation dialogs for destructive actions
- [`ux-data-entry`](references/ux-data-entry.md) - Minimize data entry friction
- [`ux-undo`](references/ux-undo.md) - Support undo for destructive actions
- [`ux-settings`](references/ux-settings.md) - Organize settings logically

### 6. Visual Design (HIGH)

- [`vis-dark-mode`](references/vis-dark-mode.md) - Support dark mode with semantic colors
- [`vis-sf-symbols`](references/vis-sf-symbols.md) - Use SF Symbols with correct rendering mode and weight
- [`vis-layout-margins`](references/vis-layout-margins.md) - Use standard layout margins and safe areas

## How to Use

Read individual reference files for detailed explanations and code examples:

- [Section definitions](references/_sections.md) - Category structure and impact levels
- [Rule template](assets/templates/_template.md) - Template for adding new rules

## Reference Files

| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| [references/_sections.md](references/_sections.md) | Category definitions and ordering |
| [assets/templates/_template.md](assets/templates/_template.md) | Template for new rules |