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| 1 | +# Mac Image Manager - Development Guidelines |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +> Last updated: October 2025 |
| 4 | +
|
| 5 | +## 📋 Overview |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +This document provides comprehensive development guidelines for Mac Image Manager, a native macOS application built with SwiftUI. These guidelines ensure code consistency, maintainability, and adherence to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. |
| 8 | + |
| 9 | +## 🎯 Core Principles |
| 10 | + |
| 11 | +### 1. Always Follow Apple Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) |
| 12 | + |
| 13 | +- Prioritize native macOS UI patterns and behaviors |
| 14 | +- Use system-provided controls and layouts whenever possible |
| 15 | +- Ensure accessibility compliance with VoiceOver and other assistive technologies |
| 16 | +- Follow Apple's visual design principles for spacing, typography, and color |
| 17 | + |
| 18 | +### 2. Modern Swift & SwiftUI (2025 Standards) |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +- Use Swift 6.0+ language features and concurrency model |
| 21 | +- Leverage SwiftUI 6.0+ framework capabilities |
| 22 | +- Implement `@MainActor` isolation for UI-related code |
| 23 | +- Use structured concurrency (`async/await`, `Task`) over legacy completion handlers |
| 24 | +- Prefer value types (structs) over reference types (classes) when appropriate |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +### 3. Code Organization & Architecture |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | +- Follow MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel) architecture pattern |
| 29 | +- Use `@ObservableObject` and `@Published` for state management |
| 30 | +- Organize code into logical directories: `Models/`, `Views/`, `ViewModels/` (if needed) |
| 31 | +- Separate concerns: UI logic in Views, business logic in Models |
| 32 | +- Use extensions to organize code by functionality |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +## 🏗️ Project Structure |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +### File Organization |
| 37 | + |
| 38 | +```text |
| 39 | +MacImageManager/ |
| 40 | +├── Models/ # Data models and business logic |
| 41 | +├── Views/ # SwiftUI views and UI components |
| 42 | +├── ViewModels/ # View models (if MVVM pattern requires) |
| 43 | +├── Utilities/ # Helper functions and extensions |
| 44 | +├── Resources/ # Assets, strings, configuration files |
| 45 | +└── Tests/ # Unit and UI tests |
| 46 | +``` |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +### Naming Conventions |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | +- **Files**: Use PascalCase (e.g., `BrowserModel.swift`, `PaneImageViewer.swift`) |
| 51 | +- **Classes/Structs**: PascalCase (e.g., `FileItem`, `BrowserModel`) |
| 52 | +- **Properties/Methods**: camelCase (e.g., `selectedImage`, `loadCurrentDirectory()`) |
| 53 | +- **Constants**: camelCase for instance properties, SCREAMING_SNAKE_CASE for static constants |
| 54 | +- **Enums**: PascalCase for type, camelCase for cases (e.g., `MediaType.staticImage`) |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +## 🎨 SwiftUI Best Practices |
| 57 | + |
| 58 | +### View Structure |
| 59 | + |
| 60 | +```swift |
| 61 | +struct ExampleView: View { |
| 62 | + // MARK: - Properties |
| 63 | + @EnvironmentObject private var model: BrowserModel |
| 64 | + @State private var localState = "" |
| 65 | + @FocusState private var isFocused: Bool |
| 66 | + |
| 67 | + // MARK: - Computed Properties |
| 68 | + private var computedValue: String { |
| 69 | + // Implementation |
| 70 | + } |
| 71 | + |
| 72 | + // MARK: - Body |
| 73 | + var body: some View { |
| 74 | + // Implementation |
| 75 | + } |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | + // MARK: - Private Methods |
| 78 | + private func helperMethod() { |
| 79 | + // Implementation |
| 80 | + } |
| 81 | +} |
| 82 | + |
| 83 | +// MARK: - Preview |
| 84 | +#Preview { |
| 85 | + ExampleView() |
| 86 | + .environmentObject(BrowserModel.preview) |
| 87 | +} |
| 88 | +``` |
| 89 | + |
| 90 | +### State Management Guidelines |
| 91 | + |
| 92 | +- Use `@State` for local view state that doesn't need to be shared |
| 93 | +- Use `@StateObject` for creating and owning observable objects |
| 94 | +- Use `@ObservedObject` when the object is owned elsewhere |
| 95 | +- Use `@EnvironmentObject` for app-wide shared state |
| 96 | +- Use `@FocusState` for keyboard focus management |
| 97 | +- Prefer `@Binding` for two-way data flow between parent and child views |
| 98 | + |
| 99 | +### View Composition |
| 100 | + |
| 101 | +- Keep views small and focused on a single responsibility |
| 102 | +- Extract complex UI into separate view structs |
| 103 | +- Use `@ViewBuilder` for conditional view building |
| 104 | +- Prefer composition over inheritance |
| 105 | +- Use view modifiers for reusable styling |
| 106 | + |
| 107 | +## 📱 macOS-Specific Guidelines |
| 108 | + |
| 109 | +### Window Management |
| 110 | + |
| 111 | +- Set appropriate minimum window sizes using `.frame(minWidth:minHeight:)` |
| 112 | +- Use `.windowResizability()` to control resize behavior |
| 113 | +- Handle window lifecycle events appropriately |
| 114 | +- Disable automatic window tabbing when inappropriate: `NSWindow.allowsAutomaticWindowTabbing = false` |
| 115 | + |
| 116 | +### Menu Bar Integration |
| 117 | + |
| 118 | +- Use `CommandGroup` to customize menu structure |
| 119 | +- Provide keyboard shortcuts for common actions |
| 120 | +- Follow macOS menu organization conventions |
| 121 | +- Use `.keyboardShortcut()` modifiers consistently |
| 122 | + |
| 123 | +### Keyboard Navigation |
| 124 | + |
| 125 | +- Implement comprehensive keyboard navigation using `@FocusState` |
| 126 | +- Use `.onKeyPress()` for custom key handling |
| 127 | +- Support standard macOS keyboard shortcuts (⌘C, ⌘V, ⌘A, etc.) |
| 128 | +- Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible |
| 129 | + |
| 130 | +### File System Integration |
| 131 | + |
| 132 | +- Use `FileManager` for file operations |
| 133 | +- Implement proper file access permissions and sandboxing |
| 134 | +- Use `fileImporter`/`fileExporter` for user file selection |
| 135 | +- Handle file system errors gracefully |
| 136 | +- Support drag-and-drop operations where appropriate |
| 137 | + |
| 138 | +## 🧬 Code Quality Standards |
| 139 | + |
| 140 | +### Swift Language Features |
| 141 | + |
| 142 | +```swift |
| 143 | +// ✅ Good: Use modern Swift concurrency |
| 144 | +@MainActor |
| 145 | +class BrowserModel: ObservableObject { |
| 146 | + @Published var items: [FileItem] = [] |
| 147 | + |
| 148 | + func loadDirectory() async { |
| 149 | + // Implementation using async/await |
| 150 | + } |
| 151 | +} |
| 152 | + |
| 153 | +// ✅ Good: Use proper access control |
| 154 | +private func helperMethod() { } |
| 155 | +internal var publicProperty: String = "" |
| 156 | + |
| 157 | +// ✅ Good: Use type inference when clear |
| 158 | +let items = [FileItem]() |
| 159 | +let url = URL(fileURLWithPath: path) |
| 160 | + |
| 161 | +// ✅ Good: Use guard statements for early returns |
| 162 | +guard let url = selectedFile?.url else { return } |
| 163 | +``` |
| 164 | + |
| 165 | +### Error Handling |
| 166 | + |
| 167 | +- Use `Result` types for functions that can fail |
| 168 | +- Throw specific, meaningful errors |
| 169 | +- Handle errors gracefully in the UI |
| 170 | +- Log errors appropriately for debugging |
| 171 | +- Provide user-friendly error messages |
| 172 | + |
| 173 | +### Performance Considerations |
| 174 | + |
| 175 | +- Use lazy loading for large datasets |
| 176 | +- Implement proper image caching for media files |
| 177 | +- Use `Task` for background processing |
| 178 | +- Cache expensive computations |
| 179 | +- Optimize List and ScrollView performance with proper ID management |
| 180 | + |
| 181 | +## 🎭 UI/UX Guidelines |
| 182 | + |
| 183 | +### Visual Design |
| 184 | + |
| 185 | +- Use system colors and semantic color roles |
| 186 | +- Implement proper dark mode support |
| 187 | +- Use SF Symbols for icons consistently |
| 188 | +- Follow macOS spacing and sizing conventions |
| 189 | +- Ensure proper contrast ratios for accessibility |
| 190 | + |
| 191 | +### Animation & Transitions |
| 192 | + |
| 193 | +- Use SwiftUI's built-in animations with `.animation()` modifier |
| 194 | +- Keep animations subtle and purposeful |
| 195 | +- Use appropriate animation curves (`.easeInOut`, `.spring()`) |
| 196 | +- Ensure animations don't interfere with accessibility |
| 197 | + |
| 198 | +### Loading States |
| 199 | + |
| 200 | +- Show progress indicators for long-running operations |
| 201 | +- Use skeleton loading states when appropriate |
| 202 | +- Provide cancellation options for lengthy operations |
| 203 | +- Display meaningful loading messages |
| 204 | + |
| 205 | +## 🧪 Testing Guidelines |
| 206 | + |
| 207 | +### Unit Testing |
| 208 | + |
| 209 | +- Write tests for business logic in Models |
| 210 | +- Test edge cases and error conditions |
| 211 | +- Use dependency injection for testability |
| 212 | +- Mock external dependencies (file system, network) |
| 213 | + |
| 214 | +### UI Testing |
| 215 | + |
| 216 | +- Create UI tests for critical user workflows |
| 217 | +- Test keyboard navigation and accessibility |
| 218 | +- Verify proper state management across views |
| 219 | +- Test error handling and recovery scenarios |
| 220 | + |
| 221 | +### Preview Testing |
| 222 | + |
| 223 | +- Provide comprehensive SwiftUI previews |
| 224 | +- Include different states and edge cases in previews |
| 225 | +- Use preview data for consistent testing |
| 226 | +- Test both light and dark mode appearances |
| 227 | + |
| 228 | +## 📝 Documentation Standards |
| 229 | + |
| 230 | +### Code Comments |
| 231 | + |
| 232 | +```swift |
| 233 | +/// Loads the current directory contents asynchronously |
| 234 | +/// - Returns: Array of FileItem objects representing directory contents |
| 235 | +/// - Throws: FileSystemError if directory cannot be accessed |
| 236 | +@MainActor |
| 237 | +func loadCurrentDirectory() async throws -> [FileItem] { |
| 238 | + // Implementation |
| 239 | +} |
| 240 | +``` |
| 241 | + |
| 242 | +### README and Documentation |
| 243 | + |
| 244 | +- Keep README.md updated with current features |
| 245 | +- Document API changes and breaking changes |
| 246 | +- Provide setup and build instructions |
| 247 | +- Include screenshots and usage examples |
| 248 | + |
| 249 | +## 🔧 Development Tools & Workflow |
| 250 | + |
| 251 | +### Xcode Configuration |
| 252 | + |
| 253 | +- Use SwiftFormat or similar for code formatting |
| 254 | +- Enable all relevant compiler warnings |
| 255 | +- Use Xcode's built-in accessibility inspector |
| 256 | +- Configure proper code signing for distribution |
| 257 | + |
| 258 | +### Git Workflow |
| 259 | + |
| 260 | +- Use descriptive commit messages |
| 261 | +- Create feature branches for new development |
| 262 | +- Use pull requests for code review |
| 263 | +- Tag releases appropriately |
| 264 | + |
| 265 | +### Dependencies |
| 266 | + |
| 267 | +- Minimize external dependencies |
| 268 | +- Prefer Apple frameworks over third-party solutions |
| 269 | +- Document all dependencies and their purposes |
| 270 | +- Keep dependencies updated and secure |
| 271 | + |
| 272 | +## 🚀 Performance & Optimization |
| 273 | + |
| 274 | +### Memory Management |
| 275 | + |
| 276 | +- Use weak references to prevent retain cycles |
| 277 | +- Implement proper cleanup in `onDisappear` |
| 278 | +- Monitor memory usage in Instruments |
| 279 | +- Cache frequently accessed data appropriately |
| 280 | + |
| 281 | +### File Operations |
| 282 | + |
| 283 | +- Perform file I/O operations on background queues |
| 284 | +- Use proper file system caching |
| 285 | +- Handle large files efficiently |
| 286 | +- Implement progressive loading for large directories |
| 287 | + |
| 288 | +## 🛡️ Security & Privacy |
| 289 | + |
| 290 | +### Sandboxing |
| 291 | + |
| 292 | +- Follow App Sandbox guidelines |
| 293 | +- Request minimal necessary entitlements |
| 294 | +- Handle security-scoped bookmarks properly |
| 295 | +- Implement proper file access patterns |
| 296 | + |
| 297 | +### User Privacy |
| 298 | + |
| 299 | +- Request permissions before accessing user data |
| 300 | +- Provide clear explanations for permission requests |
| 301 | +- Respect user privacy preferences |
| 302 | +- Implement proper data handling practices |
| 303 | + |
| 304 | +## 📋 Code Review Checklist |
| 305 | + |
| 306 | +Before submitting code for review, ensure: |
| 307 | + |
| 308 | +- [ ] Code follows naming conventions and organization patterns |
| 309 | +- [ ] SwiftUI views are properly structured and focused |
| 310 | +- [ ] Accessibility is considered and implemented |
| 311 | +- [ ] Error handling is comprehensive and user-friendly |
| 312 | +- [ ] Performance implications are considered |
| 313 | +- [ ] Code is properly documented |
| 314 | +- [ ] Tests are written and passing |
| 315 | +- [ ] Preview code is included and functional |
| 316 | +- [ ] Memory management is proper (no retain cycles) |
| 317 | +- [ ] File operations are secure and efficient |
| 318 | + |
| 319 | +--- |
| 320 | + |
| 321 | +*This document should be updated as the project evolves and new patterns emerge. All team members should review and follow these guidelines to ensure consistent, high-quality code.* |
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