# HIG Doctor

> Apple Human Interface Guidelines as agent skills for AI coding agents. Snapshot from February 2025, structured for progressive disclosure. Raw markdown is available for every topic — append `.md` or use the `/raw/<slug>` endpoint.

Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/  ·  License: Apple content is Apple IP, referenced here for AI agent guidance.

## MCP server

- [HIG Doctor MCP server](https://apple.raintree.technology/mcp): stdio MCP server exposing skill discovery, search, lookup, project and file audits, and finding explanations.

## Audit tool

- [HIG Doctor audit CLI](https://apple.raintree.technology): source auditor across 14 frameworks; Apple-platform checks cite the HIG directly, while other surfaces use aligned accessibility and interface-quality rules.

## Components

- [Action button](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/action-button): Support the Action button with a set of your app’s essential functions.
- [Action sheets](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/action-sheets): Use an action sheet — not an alert — to offer choices related to an intentional action.
- [Activity rings](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/activity-rings): Display Activity rings when they’re relevant to the purpose of your app.
- [Activity views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/activity-views): Avoid creating duplicate versions of common actions that are already available in the activity view.
- [Alerts](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/alerts): Use alerts sparingly.
- [App Clips](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/app-clips): A rental bike could come with an App Clip Code that people tap or scan to launch an App Clip that lets them rent the bike.
- [App Shortcuts](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/app-shortcuts): Offer App Shortcuts for your app’s most common and important tasks.
- [Boxes](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/boxes): Prefer keeping a box relatively small in comparison with its containing view.
- [Buttons](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/buttons): Style. A visual style based on size, color, and shape.
- [Charts](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/charts): Learn how upcoming weather conditions might affect their plans.
- [Collections](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/collections): Use the standard row or grid layout whenever possible.
- [Color wells](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/color-wells): Consider the system-provided color picker for a familiar experience.
- [Column views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/column-views): Show the root level of your data hierarchy in the first column.
- [Combo boxes](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/combo-boxes): Populate the field with a meaningful default value from the list.
- [Complications](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/complications): Identify essential, dynamic content that people want to view at a glance.
- [Context menus](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/context-menus): The system-defined touch or pinch and hold gesture in visionOS, iOS, and iPadOS
- [Controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/controls): In Control Center, a control displays its symbol and, at larger sizes, its title and value.
- [Digit entry views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/digit-entry-views): Use secure digit fields.
- [Disclosure controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/disclosure-controls): Use a disclosure control to hide details until they’re relevant.
- [Dock menus](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/dock-menus): Make custom Dock menu items available in other places, too.
- [Edit menus](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/edit-menus): In iOS, the edit menu displays commands in a compact, horizontal list that appears when people touch and hold or double-tap to select content in a view....
- [Gauges](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/gauges): Write succinct labels that describe the current value and both endpoints of the range.
- [Home Screen quick actions](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/home-screen-quick-actions): Create quick actions for compelling, high-value tasks.
- [Image views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/image-views): Use an image view when the primary purpose of the view is simply to display an image.
- [Image wells](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/image-wells): Revert to a default image when necessary.
- [Labels](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/labels): Within a button, a label generally conveys what the button does, such as Edit, Cancel, or Send.
- [Lists and tables](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/lists-and-tables): Prefer displaying text in a list or table.
- [Live Activities](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/live-activities): Offer Live Activities for tasks and events that have a defined beginning and end.
- [Lockups](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/lockups): Allow adequate space between lockups.
- [Menus](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/menus): For each menu item, write a label that clearly and succinctly describes it.
- [Notifications](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/notifications): A banner or view on a Lock Screen, Home Screen, Home View, or desktop
- [Ornaments](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/ornaments): Consider using an ornament to present frequently needed controls or information in a consistent location that doesn’t clutter the window.
- [Outline views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/outline-views): Use a table instead of an outline view to present data that’s not hierarchical.
- [Page controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/page-controls): Use page controls to represent movement between an ordered list of pages.
- [Panels](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/panels): Use a panel to give people quick access to important controls or information related to the content they’re working with.
- [Path controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/path-controls): Use a path control in the window body, not the window frame.
- [Pickers](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/pickers): Consider using a picker to offer medium-to-long lists of items.
- [Pop-up buttons](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/pop-up-buttons): Use a pop-up button to present a flat list of mutually exclusive options or states.
- [Popovers](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/popovers): Use a popover to expose a small amount of information or functionality.
- [Progress indicators](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/progress-indicators): _Determinate_ , for a task with a well-defined duration, such as a file conversion
- [Pull-down buttons](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/pull-down-buttons): Use a pull-down button to present commands or items that are directly related to the button’s action.
- [Rating indicators](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/rating-indicators): Make it easy to change rankings.
- [Scroll views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/scroll-views): Support default scrolling gestures and keyboard shortcuts.
- [Search fields](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/search-fields): Display placeholder text that describes the type of information people can search for.
- [Segmented controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/segmented-controls): Use a segmented control to provide closely related choices that affect an object, state, or view.
- [Sheets](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/sheets): Use a sheet to present simple content or tasks.
- [Sidebars](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/sidebars): Extend content beneath the sidebar.
- [Sliders](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/sliders): Customize a slider’s appearance if it adds value.
- [Split views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/split-views): To support navigation, persistently highlight the current selection in each pane that leads to the detail view.
- [Status bars](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/status-bars): Obscure content under the status bar.
- [Steppers](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/steppers): Make the value that a stepper affects obvious.
- [Tab bars](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/tab-bars): Use a tab bar to support navigation, not to provide actions.
- [Tab views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/tab-views): Use a tab view to present closely related areas of content.
- [Text fields](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/text-fields): Use a text field to request a small amount of information, such as a name or an email address.
- [Text views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/text-views): Use a text view when you need to display text that’s long, editable, or in a special format.
- [The menu bar](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/the-menu-bar): _YourAppName_ (you supply a short version of your app’s name for this menu’s title)
- [Toggles](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/toggles): Use a toggle to help people choose between two opposing values that affect the state of content or a view.
- [Token fields](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/token-fields): Add value with a context menu.
- [Toolbars](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/toolbars): The title of the current view
- [Top Shelf](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/top-shelf): Help people jump right into your content.
- [Virtual keyboards](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/virtual-keyboards): Choose a keyboard that matches the type of content people are editing.
- [Watch faces](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/watch-faces): Help people discover your app by sharing watch faces that feature your complications.
- [Web views](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/web-views): Support forward and back navigation when appropriate.
- [Widgets](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/widgets): On the Home Screen and Lock Screen of their iPhone and iPad
- [Windows](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/windows): A _primary_ window presents the main navigation and content of an app, and actions associated with them.

## Foundations

- [Accessibility](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/accessibility): Intuitive. Your interface uses familiar and consistent interactions that make tasks straightforward to perform.
- [App icons](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/app-icons): Prefer clearly defined edges in foreground layers.
- [Branding](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/branding): Use your brand’s unique voice and tone in all the written communication you display.
- [Color](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/color): Avoid using the same color to mean different things.
- [Dark Mode](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/dark-mode): Avoid offering an app-specific appearance setting.
- [Icons](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/icons): Create a recognizable, highly simplified design.
- [Images](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/images): Provide high-resolution assets for all bitmap images in your app, for every device you support.
- [Immersive experiences](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/immersive-experiences): Use dimmed passthrough to bring attention to your content. You can subtly dim or tint passthrough and other visible content to bring attention to your app...
- [Inclusion](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/inclusion): Gender and gender identity
- [Layout](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/layout): Group related items to help people find the information they want.
- [Materials](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/materials): Don’t use Liquid Glass in the content layer.
- [Motion](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/motion): Add motion purposefully, supporting the experience without overshadowing it.
- [Privacy](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/privacy): Request access only to data that you actually need.
- [Right to left](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/right-to-left): Adjust text alignment to match the interface direction, if the system doesn’t do so automatically.
- [SF Symbols](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/sf-symbols): Confirm that a symbol’s rendering mode works well in every context.
- [Spatial layout](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/spatial-layout): Center important content within the field of view.
- [Typography](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/typography): Use font sizes that most people can read easily.
- [Writing](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/writing): Determine your app’s voice.

## Inputs

- [Apple Pencil and Scribble](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/apple-pencil-and-scribble): Support behaviors people intuitively expect when using a marking instrument.
- [Camera Control](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/camera-control): A _slider_ provides a range of values to choose from, such as how much contrast to apply to the content.
- [Digital Crown](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/digital-crown): Adjust the amount of immersion in a portal, an Environment, or an app or game running in a Full Space (for guidance, see Immersive experiences)
- [Eyes](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/eyes): Always give people multiple ways to interact with your app.
- [Focus and selection](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/focus-and-selection): Rely on system-provided focus effects.
- [Game controls](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/game-controls): Even though all platforms except watchOS support physical game controllers, not every player might have access to one.
- [Gestures](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/gestures): Give people more than one way to interact with your app.
- [Gyroscope and accelerometer](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/gyro-and-accelerometer): Use motion data only to offer a tangible benefit to people.
- [Keyboards](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/keyboards): Support Full Keyboard Access when possible.
- [Nearby interactions](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/nearby-interactions): Consider a task from the perspective of the physical world to find inspiration for a nearby interaction.
- [Nearby interactions](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/spatial-interactions): Consider a task from the perspective of the physical world to find inspiration for a nearby interaction.
- [Pointing devices](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/pointing-devices): Be consistent when responding to mouse and trackpad gestures.
- [Remotes](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/remotes): Prefer using standard gestures to perform standard actions.

## Patterns

- [Charting data](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/charting-data): Analyzing trends based on historical or predicted values
- [Collaboration and sharing](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/collaboration-and-sharing): Place the Share button in a convenient location, like a toolbar, to make it easy for people to start sharing or collaborating.
- [Drag and drop](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/drag-and-drop): In visionOS, people pinch and hold a virtual object while dragging it to a new location in any direction, including along the z-axis.
- [Entering data](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/entering-data): Pre-gathering as much information as possible to minimize the amount of data that people need to supply
- [Feedback](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/feedback): The current status of something
- [File management](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/file-management): Use app menus and keyboard shortcuts to give people convenient ways to create and open documents.
- [Going full screen](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/going-full-screen): Support full-screen mode when it makes sense for your experience.
- [Launching](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/launching): If the platform requires it, provide a launch screen.
- [Live-viewing apps](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/live-viewing-apps): Feature live content prominently and make it easy to access.
- [Loading](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/loading): Show something as soon as possible.
- [Managing accounts](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/managing-accounts): Explain the benefits of creating an account and how to sign up.
- [Managing notifications](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/managing-notifications): A Focus helps people filter notifications during a time period they reserve for an activity like sleeping, working, reading, or driving.
- [Modality](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/modality): Ensure that people receive critical information and, if necessary, act on it
- [Multitasking](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/multitasking): Pause activities that require people’s attention or active participation when they switch away.
- [Offering help](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/offering-help): Let your app’s tasks inform the types of help people might need.
- [Onboarding](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/onboarding): Teach through interactivity.
- [Playing audio](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/playing-audio): Adjust levels automatically when necessary — don’t adjust the overall volume.
- [Playing haptics](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/playing-haptics): In an iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, or visionOS app or game, game controllers can provide haptic feedback (for developer guidance, see Playing Haptics on Game...
- [Playing video](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/playing-video): In full-screen — or _aspect-fill_ — mode, the video scales to fill the display, and some edge cropping may occur. This mode is the default for wide video...
- [Printing](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/printing): Make printing discoverable.
- [Ratings and reviews](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/ratings-and-reviews): Ask for a rating only after people have demonstrated engagement with your app or game.
- [Searching](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/searching): If search is important, consider making it a primary action.
- [Settings](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/settings): Aim to provide default settings that give the best experience to the largest number of people.
- [Undo and redo](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/undo-and-redo): Help people predict the results of undo and redo as much as possible.
- [Workouts](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/workouts): In a watchOS fitness app, use workout sessions to provide useful data and relevant controls.

## Platforms

- [Designing for games](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-games): Let people play as soon as installation completes.
- [Designing for iOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-ios): Home Screen quick actions
- [Designing for iPadOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-ipados): Take advantage of the large display to elevate the content people care about, minimizing modal interfaces and full-screen transitions, and positioning...
- [Designing for macOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-macos): Leverage large displays to present more content in fewer nested levels and with less need for modality, while maintaining a comfortable information...
- [Designing for tvOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-tvos): Integrating with the TV app
- [Designing for visionOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-visionos): Embrace the unique features of Apple  Vision Pro.
- [Designing for watchOS](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/designing-for-watchos): Support quick, glanceable, single-screen interactions that deliver critical information succinctly and help people perform targeted actions with a simple...

## Technologies

- [AirPlay](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/airplay): Prefer the system-provided media player.
- [Always On](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/always-on): On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the system displays Lock Screen items like Widgets and Live Activities when people set aside their device face up...
- [Apple Pay](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/apple-pay): Offer Apple Pay on all devices and browsers that support it.
- [Augmented reality](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/augmented-reality): Offer AR features only on capable devices.
- [CareKit](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/carekit): Provide a coherent privacy policy.
- [CarPlay](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/carplay): Eliminate app interactions on iPhone when CarPlay is active.
- [Game Center](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/game-center): Discover new games their friends are playing.
- [Generative AI](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/generative-ai): Design your experience responsibly.
- [HealthKit](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/healthkit): Provide a coherent privacy policy.
- [HomeKit](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/homekit): Help people set up, name, and organize their accessories
- [iCloud](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/icloud): Make it easy to use your app with iCloud.
- [ID Verifier](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/id-verifier): Customers only present the minimum data needed to prove their age or identity, without handing over their ID card or showing their device.
- [iMessage apps and stickers](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/imessage-apps-and-stickers): Prefer providing one primary experience in your iMessage app.
- [In-app purchase](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/in-app-purchase): _Consumable_ content like lives or gems in a game. After purchase, consumable content depletes as people use it, and people can purchase it again.
- [Live Photos](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/live-photos): Apply adjustments to all frames.
- [Mac Catalyst](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/mac-catalyst): Keyboard navigation and shortcuts.
- [Machine learning](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/machine-learning): The keyboard uses machine learning to provide QuickType suggestions. Because the keyboard still works without these suggestions, machine learning plays a...
- [Maps](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/maps): In general, make your map interactive.
- [NFC](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/nfc): Don’t encourage people to make contact with physical objects.
- [Photo editing](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/photo-editing): Confirm cancellation of edits.
- [ResearchKit](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/researchkit): Always display the onboarding screens in the correct order.
- [SharePlay](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/shareplay): Let people know that you support SharePlay.
- [ShazamKit](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/shazamkit): Enhancing experiences with graphics that correspond with the genre of currently playing music
- [Sign in with Apple](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/sign-in-with-apple): Ask people to sign in only in exchange for value.
- [Siri](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/siri): Ask Siri to perform a system-defined task that your app supports, like send a message, play a song, or start a workout.
- [Tap to Pay on iPhone](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/tap-to-pay-on-iphone): Help merchants accept Tap to Pay on iPhone terms and conditions before they begin interacting with their customers.
- [VoiceOver](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/voiceover): Provide alternative labels for all key interface elements.
- [Wallet](https://apple.raintree.technology/raw/wallet): Offer to add new passes to Wallet.