swift

Overview of swift skill

What the swift skill is for

The swift skill is a focused guide for writing better Swift code with less trial and error. It helps when you need practical help with Swift configuration, logging, observability, testing, cross-platform code, API design, access control, or memory-safety features. If you are trying to turn a vague “make this Swift code production-ready” request into an implementation plan, the swift skill is a good fit.

Who should install it

Install the swift skill if you work on Swift apps, libraries, or server services and want advice that reflects modern Swift patterns rather than generic language tips. It is especially useful for Swift for Backend Development, where logging, telemetry, config, and test behavior matter as much as syntax.

What makes it different

The skill is organized around reference files for specific topics instead of one giant prompt. That makes it better for targeted tasks like swift-log, swift-otel, or Swift Testing, and less likely to drift into broad, unfocused answers. It is strongest when you want implementation guidance that matches the current Swift ecosystem and common package patterns.

How to Use swift skill

Install and scope the task

Use the swift install command from your skill manager, then invoke it only when the task is clearly Swift-specific. A good trigger looks like: “Help me refactor this Swift package to use structured logging and environment-based config,” or “Review this Swift service for better Swift Testing coverage.” The more the request mentions the desired runtime context, package dependencies, or target platform, the more useful the skill becomes.

Start with the right files

Read SKILL.md first, then open the topic file that matches the job. For most backend work, the best starting points are references/swift-log.md, references/swift-otel.md, and references/swift-configuration.md. If the issue is tests, use references/swift-testing.md; for debugging or CI failures, check references/debugging.md.

Give input that the skill can act on

The swift skill works best when you include: the target platform, your Swift version or toolchain, the package type, and the exact output you want. Stronger prompts name constraints, for example:

• “I need Linux-compatible Swift for Backend Development with OTLP metrics and structured logs.”
• “Convert these XCTest cases to Swift Testing and keep the test names sentence-style.”
• “Add config loading from env and JSON with safe defaults and no Foundation-heavy assumptions.”

Use a workflow, not a one-shot ask

A practical workflow is: define the runtime goal, paste the current code, specify constraints, then ask for the smallest useful change first. If the answer involves multiple topics, split it by layer: config first, then logging, then observability, then tests. This reduces conflicting advice and makes it easier to verify each change in your repo.

swift skill FAQ

Is the swift skill only for server-side Swift?

No. It covers general Swift practices too, but the highest-information parts of the skill are for backend and package-based work: configuration, logging, OpenTelemetry, and testing. If you mainly need UI-specific Apple framework guidance, this skill may be less useful than a platform-focused prompt.

Do I need Swift 6 or Xcode 16?

Not always, but the Swift Testing guidance assumes modern toolchains, and some patterns may depend on newer language features. If your project is pinned to an older version, say so up front so the output does not recommend APIs you cannot use.

How is this better than a normal Swift prompt?

A normal prompt usually gives generic syntax help. The swift skill is more useful when you need the right package, pattern, or file structure for a real codebase, such as when to use swift-log, how to wire swift-otel, or how to organize platform-specific code.

When should I not use the swift skill?

Skip it if your task is mostly unrelated to Swift implementation details, or if you already have a narrow, well-defined code change and do not need pattern guidance. It is also a poor fit if you want a purely conceptual explanation with no repo-specific action.

How to Improve swift skill

Provide the constraints that shape the answer

The most useful inputs are the ones that affect design choices: deployment target, Linux vs Apple platforms, package manager setup, test framework, and whether the code must avoid Foundation. For Swift for Backend Development, say whether you need low-dependency, observability-first, or CLI-friendly output.

Describe the failure mode, not just the goal

Instead of “add logging,” say what is wrong with the current behavior: logs are unstructured, missing request IDs, too noisy, or hard to search in CI. Instead of “improve tests,” say whether the pain is flaky parallel tests, unclear names, or XCTest migration. This helps the swift skill produce a fix that changes the right layer.

Feed the skill real code context

Paste the relevant type, Package.swift, or test file rather than a paraphrase. If you need config help, include your current environment variable names and fallback rules; if you need observability help, include the service entry point and current logging setup. Concrete inputs produce concrete Swift usage guidance.

Iterate from a small first pass

If the first answer is close but not perfect, ask for one refinement at a time: “make it Linux-safe,” “remove Foundation assumptions,” “switch to sentence-style @Test names,” or “separate shared code from platform code.” That keeps the swift skill aligned with your codebase instead of overfitting to a generic example.