Apple HIG: Selection and Input Controls
Selective Reading Rule
Start with:
references/usage-routing.mdreferences/quality-checklist.md
Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.
Selective Reading Rule
Start with:
references/senior-master-standard.md
Then load only the references, scripts, assets, or examples needed for the user's actual task.
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
Clear current state. Users must always see what is selected. Toggles show on/off, segmented controls highlight the active segment, pickers display the current selection.
Prefer standard system controls. Built-in controls provide consistency and accessibility. Custom controls introduce a learning curve and may break assistive features.
Toggles for binary states. On or off. In Settings-style screens, changes take effect immediately. In modal forms, changes commit on confirmation.
Segmented controls for mutually exclusive options. 2-5 items, roughly equal importance, short labels.
Sliders for continuous values. When precise numeric input is not critical. Provide min/max labels or icons for range endpoints.
Pickers for long option lists. Too many options for a segmented control. Works well for dates, times, structured data.
Steppers for small, precise adjustments. Increment/decrement in fixed steps. Display current value next to the stepper with reasonable min/max bounds.
Text fields for short, single-line input. Text views for multi-line. Configure keyboard type to match expected input (email, URL, number).
Combo boxes: text input + selection list. macOS. Type a value or choose from a predefined list when custom values are valid.
Token fields: discrete values as visual tokens. macOS. For email recipients, tags, or collections of discrete items.
Gauges and rating indicators display values. Gauges show a value within a range. Rating indicators show ratings (often stars). Display-only; use interactive variants for input.
Reference Index
| Reference |
Topic |
Key content |
| controls.md |
General controls |
States, affordance, system controls |
| toggles.md |
Toggles |
On/off, immediate effect |
| segmented-controls.md |
Segmented controls |
2-5 options, equal weight |
| sliders.md |
Sliders |
Continuous range, min/max labels |
| steppers.md |
Steppers |
Fixed steps, bounded values |
| pickers.md |
Pickers |
Dates, times, long option sets |
| combo-boxes.md |
Combo boxes |
macOS, type or select, custom values |
| text-fields.md |
Text fields |
Short input, keyboard types, validation |
| text-views.md |
Text views |
Multi-line, comments, descriptions |
| labels.md |
Labels |
Placement, VoiceOver support |
| token-fields.md |
Token fields |
macOS, chips, tags, recipients |
| virtual-keyboards.md |
Virtual keyboards |
Email, URL, number keyboard types |
| rating-indicators.md |
Rating indicators |
Star ratings, display-only |
| gauges.md |
Gauges |
Level indicators, range display |
Output Format
- Control recommendation with rationale and why alternatives are less suitable.
- State management -- how the control communicates current state and whether changes apply immediately or on confirmation.
- Validation approach -- when to show errors and how to communicate rules.
- Accessibility -- labels, traits, hints for VoiceOver.
Questions to Ask
- What type of data? (Boolean, choice from fixed set, numeric, free-form text?)
- How many options?
- Which platforms? (Combo boxes and token fields are macOS-only)
- Settings screen or inline form?
Related Skills
- hig-components-menus -- Buttons and pop-up buttons complementing selection controls
- hig-components-dialogs -- Sheets and popovers containing forms
- hig-components-search -- Search fields sharing text input patterns
- hig-inputs -- Keyboard, pointer, gesture interactions with controls
- hig-foundations -- Typography, color, layout for control styling
Built by Raintree Technology · More developer tools
When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.
Limitations
- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
1---2name: hig-components-controls3description: ALWAYS use this when the request matches HIG Components Controls: Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions.4---56# Apple HIG: Selection and Input Controls78## Selective Reading Rule910Start with:1112- `references/usage-routing.md`13- `references/quality-checklist.md`1415Then load only the inherited docs, scripts, assets, or examples that match the user's actual task.1617## Selective Reading Rule1819Start with:2021- `references/senior-master-standard.md`2223Then load only the references, scripts, assets, or examples needed for the user's actual task.242526Check for `.claude/apple-design-context.md` before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.2728## Key Principles29301. **Clear current state.** Users must always see what is selected. Toggles show on/off, segmented controls highlight the active segment, pickers display the current selection.31322. **Prefer standard system controls.** Built-in controls provide consistency and accessibility. Custom controls introduce a learning curve and may break assistive features.33343. **Toggles for binary states.** On or off. In Settings-style screens, changes take effect immediately. In modal forms, changes commit on confirmation.35364. **Segmented controls for mutually exclusive options.** 2-5 items, roughly equal importance, short labels.37385. **Sliders for continuous values.** When precise numeric input is not critical. Provide min/max labels or icons for range endpoints.39406. **Pickers for long option lists.** Too many options for a segmented control. Works well for dates, times, structured data.41427. **Steppers for small, precise adjustments.** Increment/decrement in fixed steps. Display current value next to the stepper with reasonable min/max bounds.43448. **Text fields for short, single-line input.** Text views for multi-line. Configure keyboard type to match expected input (email, URL, number).45469. **Combo boxes: text input + selection list.** macOS. Type a value or choose from a predefined list when custom values are valid.474810. **Token fields: discrete values as visual tokens.** macOS. For email recipients, tags, or collections of discrete items.495011. **Gauges and rating indicators display values.** Gauges show a value within a range. Rating indicators show ratings (often stars). Display-only; use interactive variants for input.5152## Reference Index5354| Reference | Topic | Key content |55|---|---|---|56| [controls.md](references/controls.md) | General controls | States, affordance, system controls |57| [toggles.md](references/toggles.md) | Toggles | On/off, immediate effect |58| [segmented-controls.md](references/segmented-controls.md) | Segmented controls | 2-5 options, equal weight |59| [sliders.md](references/sliders.md) | Sliders | Continuous range, min/max labels |60| [steppers.md](references/steppers.md) | Steppers | Fixed steps, bounded values |61| [pickers.md](references/pickers.md) | Pickers | Dates, times, long option sets |62| [combo-boxes.md](references/combo-boxes.md) | Combo boxes | macOS, type or select, custom values |63| [text-fields.md](references/text-fields.md) | Text fields | Short input, keyboard types, validation |64| [text-views.md](references/text-views.md) | Text views | Multi-line, comments, descriptions |65| [labels.md](references/labels.md) | Labels | Placement, VoiceOver support |66| [token-fields.md](references/token-fields.md) | Token fields | macOS, chips, tags, recipients |67| [virtual-keyboards.md](references/virtual-keyboards.md) | Virtual keyboards | Email, URL, number keyboard types |68| [rating-indicators.md](references/rating-indicators.md) | Rating indicators | Star ratings, display-only |69| [gauges.md](references/gauges.md) | Gauges | Level indicators, range display |7071## Output Format72731. **Control recommendation with rationale** and why alternatives are less suitable.742. **State management** -- how the control communicates current state and whether changes apply immediately or on confirmation.753. **Validation approach** -- when to show errors and how to communicate rules.764. **Accessibility** -- labels, traits, hints for VoiceOver.7778## Questions to Ask79801. What type of data? (Boolean, choice from fixed set, numeric, free-form text?)812. How many options?823. Which platforms? (Combo boxes and token fields are macOS-only)834. Settings screen or inline form?8485## Related Skills8687- **hig-components-menus** -- Buttons and pop-up buttons complementing selection controls88- **hig-components-dialogs** -- Sheets and popovers containing forms89- **hig-components-search** -- Search fields sharing text input patterns90- **hig-inputs** -- Keyboard, pointer, gesture interactions with controls91- **hig-foundations** -- Typography, color, layout for control styling9293---9495*Built by [Raintree Technology](https://raintree.technology) · [More developer tools](https://raintree.technology)*9697## When to Use98This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.99100## Limitations101- Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.102- Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.103- Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.
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