hig-inputs
by raintree-technologyhig-inputs is an Apple HIG reference skill for input methods and interaction patterns across Apple platforms. Use it to decide which inputs to support, how gestures, keyboard, pointer, Pencil, controller, focus, and spatial interactions should behave, and how to reduce guesswork for UI/UX Design on Apple devices.
This skill scores 68/100, which means it is acceptable to list but best framed as a focused, moderately mature reference rather than a fully self-sufficient workflow package. Directory users can likely trigger it reliably for Apple input-design questions, but they should expect some reliance on surrounding project context and a need for follow-up judgment on edge cases.
- Strong triggerability from the frontmatter description, which names many concrete input topics and example queries.
- Good operational signal in the body: it gives a clear instruction to check .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions and includes key principles for multi-input design.
- Useful scope coverage across Apple input modalities, including gestures, Apple Pencil, keyboard, controllers, pointer/trackpad, Digital Crown, eye tracking, and spatial interactions.
- No install command, scripts, references, or supporting assets were provided, so users get the skill text but little surrounding automation or evidence pack.
- The excerpt shows principles-level guidance, but the repository evidence does not show deeper procedural workflows or decision trees for harder implementation cases.
Overview of hig-inputs skill
The hig-inputs skill is an Apple HIG reference for designing input interactions across Apple platforms: touch, pointer, keyboard, Apple Pencil, game controllers, Digital Crown, eye tracking, focus, remotes, spatial input, and nearby interactions. Use the hig-inputs skill when you need to decide which inputs to support, how those inputs should behave, and what counts as a platform-appropriate interaction pattern.
What this skill is for
This skill is most useful for UI/UX designers, product designers, and AI agents generating Apple-platform interaction guidance. It helps answer practical questions like whether a gesture should be custom or standard, how keyboard support should complement touch, and what input model fits iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, or visionOS.
Why people install hig-inputs
Install hig-inputs when generic prompt advice is not enough and you need Apple-specific input rules. The main value is decision support: it reduces guesswork around supported inputs, expected system behavior, and cross-platform differences that can affect usability or Apple HIG compliance.
Best-fit use cases
This skill is a good fit for interaction specs, design reviews, accessibility-sensitive flows, and product decisions involving multiple input devices. It is less useful for visual style guidance or broad UI architecture unless input handling is the core design problem.
How to Use hig-inputs skill
Install and load the skill
Install hig-inputs with the repository path shown by your skill manager, then start by reading SKILL.md. If you are using an agent, make sure the skill is active before asking for interaction design recommendations so the Apple HIG constraints are applied from the start.
What to provide in your prompt
A strong hig-inputs usage prompt should name the platform, the input devices you want to support, the user action, and any constraints. For example: “Design input behavior for a visionOS app that supports hand tracking, gaze, and keyboard fallback” is better than “How should input work?” because the skill can map the request to the right platform guidance.
Repository files to read first
Start with SKILL.md, then inspect any linked context in the repository root if present. For hig-inputs, the important part is the skill body itself: it contains the key principles, reference index, output format, and the questions the skill expects you to answer before implementation.
Practical workflow for better output
Use hig-inputs in three steps: define the device context, list the supported inputs, then ask for the interaction recommendation. If you already have a draft flow, ask the model to evaluate it against Apple HIG input expectations instead of generating from scratch. That usually produces more specific, actionable feedback.
hig-inputs skill FAQ
Is hig-inputs only for Apple platform work?
Yes, it is specifically tuned for Apple HIG input guidance. If your product is cross-platform, the skill is still useful for the Apple portion of the experience, but it should not be treated as a universal input design system.
How is hig-inputs different from a normal prompt?
A normal prompt may produce generic interaction advice. hig-inputs anchors the response in Apple platform conventions, which matters when you need standard gestures, fallback inputs, or device-specific behavior that matches user expectations.
Is hig-inputs beginner-friendly?
Yes, if you can describe the platform and target input devices. You do not need deep HIG expertise to use it, but you do need to be explicit about the context so the skill can narrow the guidance correctly.
When should I not use hig-inputs?
Do not use it when you need branding, layout, or component styling guidance with no input-design decision involved. It is also not the right fit if your question is about general accessibility policy without a concrete interaction model.
How to Improve hig-inputs skill
Give the skill a real device scenario
The strongest hig-inputs inputs describe the exact environment: “iPad app used with touch and trackpad,” “Apple TV app controlled by remote,” or “visionOS experience with gaze and hand input.” Concrete scenarios lead to better recommendations than abstract wording.
State the interaction you are unsure about
If you want the best hig-inputs usage, name the risky decision directly: gesture conflict, keyboard shortcut design, pointer affordance, controller navigation, or whether to override a system gesture. That helps the model focus on the part of the HIG that changes the design.
Ask for constraints and tradeoffs
Good hig-inputs guide requests ask for the preferred input pattern plus the reason it fits, and note any constraints such as one-handed use, accessibility needs, or limited screen space. This is where the skill adds real decision quality beyond a quick repo skim.
Iterate with a draft, not a blank page
After the first answer, feed back your prototype interaction or rule list and ask what should change for Apple platforms. That second pass usually catches missing fallback inputs, inconsistent feedback, or gesture conflicts that a first-pass prompt will miss.