A comprehensive toolkit for bootstrapping and packaging macOS applications using Swift Package Manager instead of traditional Xcode projects.
Install & Download
1. ClawHub CLI
The fastest way to install a skill directly from the registry.
npx clawhub@latest install macos-spm-app-packaging
2. Manual Installation
Copy the skill folder to one of these locations
~/.openclaw/skills/ <project>/skills/ Priority: Workspace > Local > Bundled
3. Prompt Installation
Copy this prompt to OpenClaw to install it automatically.
Help me install macos-spm-app-packaging using Clawhub. If Clawhub is not installed, install it first (npm i -g clawhub).
Prefer to download?
Get the raw skill files in a ZIP archive.
What is macOS SwiftPM App Packaging?
This skill empowers developers to create professional macOS applications using a pure Swift Package Manager (SPM) workflow. By bypassing the complexities of Xcode project files, this Openclaw Skills resource provides a structured approach to app layout, target management, and bundle assembly. It is ideal for developers who prefer command-line efficiency or need to automate their build pipelines outside of a GUI environment.
The skill includes everything from initial project bootstrapping to advanced signing and notarization workflows. By utilizing a standardized folder structure and a suite of powerful shell scripts, developers can maintain full control over their build process while ensuring their applications meet all macOS security requirements. This is a vital addition to any collection of Openclaw Skills for developers targeting the Mac platform.
macOS SwiftPM App Packaging Use Cases
- Creating a new macOS application from scratch without using an .xcodeproj file.
- Automating the build and packaging process within a CI/CD pipeline for macOS software.
- Developing lightweight menu bar apps with specific LSUIElement configurations.
- Implementing Sparkle-based update mechanisms for independent software distribution.
- Managing code signing and notarization through scriptable CLI tools for repeatable releases.
How macOS SwiftPM App Packaging Works
- The developer starts by copying the bootstrap template into a new repository to establish the project skeleton.
- Project-specific variables like the App Name, Bundle ID, and version numbers are renamed and configured within the Package.swift and version.env files.
- Application code and resources are developed within the standard SwiftPM Sources directory.
- Specialized packaging scripts assemble the .app bundle, moving binaries and resources into the correct macOS directory structure.
- For distribution, the developer runs scripts to sign, notarize, and staple the application, finally generating an appcast for updates.
macOS SwiftPM App Packaging Setup
To begin using this skill in your Openclaw Skills workflow, first initialize your project directory:
# Copy the bootstrap template to your new project folder
cp -r assets/templates/bootstrap/* ./your-app-name/
cd ./your-app-name/
Next, customize your application metadata:
# Update the version.env file with your specific app details
nano version.env
# Build and run your application for the first time
./Scripts/compile_and_run.sh
macOS SwiftPM App Packaging Data Schema & Taxonomy
The skill organizes project data through a specific taxonomy to ensure compatibility with Openclaw Skills automated scripts:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Package.swift | The manifest defining Swift targets, dependencies, and macOS platforms. |
| version.env | A centralized configuration file for APP_NAME, BUNDLE_ID, and versioning metadata. |
| Sources/ | The directory where all Swift source files reside, organized by target name. |
| Scripts/ | A collection of shell scripts for building, packaging, signing, and notarizing. |
| assets/templates/ | Reusable templates for generating Info.plist, icons, and Sparkle appcasts. |
macOS SwiftPM App Packaging Advanced Features
- Support for MENU_BAR_APP mode which automatically configures the Info.plist for background-only or menu bar operation.
- Integrated notarization and stapling scripts to satisfy macOS Gatekeeper requirements for non-App Store apps.
- Automated Sparkle appcast generation to facilitate seamless over-the-air updates for your users.
- Flexible developer signing identity setup to ensure consistent local builds within Openclaw Skills environments.
- CLI-based icon generation that converts composer files into production-ready .icns sets.
SKILL.md
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