# Swiftui UI Patterns

> Best practices and example-driven guidance for building SwiftUI views and components. Use when creating or refactoring SwiftUI UI, designing tab architecture with TabView, composing screens, or needing component-specific patterns and examples.

- Skill: `lev-os/swiftui-ui-patterns` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 27 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add lev-os/swiftui-ui-patterns`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/lev-os/swiftui-ui-patterns/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Web & Frontend
- Author: lev-os (https://skillmd.com/u/lev-os)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/lev-os/swiftui-ui-patterns

---


# SwiftUI UI Patterns

## Quick start

Choose a track based on your goal:

### Existing project

- Identify the feature or screen and the primary interaction model (list, detail, editor, settings, tabbed).
- Find a nearby example in the repo with `rg "TabView\("` or similar, then read the closest SwiftUI view.
- Apply local conventions: prefer SwiftUI-native state, keep state local when possible, and use environment injection for shared dependencies.
- Choose the relevant component reference from `references/components-index.md` and follow its guidance.
- Build the view with small, focused subviews and SwiftUI-native data flow.

### New project scaffolding

- Start with `references/app-scaffolding-wiring.md` to wire TabView + NavigationStack + sheets.
- Add a minimal `AppTab` and `RouterPath` based on the provided skeletons.
- Choose the next component reference based on the UI you need first (TabView, NavigationStack, Sheets).
- Expand the route and sheet enums as new screens are added.

## General rules to follow

- Use modern SwiftUI state (`@State`, `@Binding`, `@Observable`, `@Environment`) and avoid unnecessary view models.
- Prefer composition; keep views small and focused.
- Use async/await with `.task` and explicit loading/error states.
- Maintain existing legacy patterns only when editing legacy files.
- Follow the project's formatter and style guide.
- **Sheets**: Prefer `.sheet(item:)` over `.sheet(isPresented:)` when state represents a selected model. Avoid `if let` inside a sheet body. Sheets should own their actions and call `dismiss()` internally instead of forwarding `onCancel`/`onConfirm` closures.

## Workflow for a new SwiftUI view

1. Define the view's state and its ownership location.
2. Identify dependencies to inject via `@Environment`.
3. Sketch the view hierarchy and extract repeated parts into subviews.
4. Implement async loading with `.task` and explicit state enum if needed.
5. Add accessibility labels or identifiers when the UI is interactive.
6. Validate with a build and update usage callsites if needed.

## Component references

Use `references/components-index.md` as the entry point. Each component reference should include:
- Intent and best-fit scenarios.
- Minimal usage pattern with local conventions.
- Pitfalls and performance notes.
- Paths to existing examples in the current repo.

## Sheet patterns

### Item-driven sheet (preferred)

```swift
@State private var selectedItem: Item?

.sheet(item: $selectedItem) { item in
    EditItemSheet(item: item)
}
```

### Sheet owns its actions

```swift
struct EditItemSheet: View {
    @Environment(\.dismiss) private var dismiss
    @Environment(Store.self) private var store

    let item: Item
    @State private var isSaving = false

    var body: some View {
        VStack {
            Button(isSaving ? "Saving…" : "Save") {
                Task { await save() }
            }
        }
    }

    private func save() async {
        isSaving = true
        await store.save(item)
        dismiss()
    }
}
```

## Adding a new component reference

- Create `references/<component>.md`.
- Keep it short and actionable; link to concrete files in the current repo.
- Update `references/components-index.md` with the new entry.
## Technique Map

- **Track-based workflow** — Existing project vs new scaffolding; because different entry points.
- **components-index.md as router** — Find component reference from index; because modular guidance.
- **app-scaffolding-wiring** — TabView + NavigationStack + sheets first; because structure before content.
- **.sheet(item:) over .sheet(isPresented:)** — Model-driven sheets; because avoids optional state bugs.
- **Sheet owns actions** — dismiss() internally; no forwarded onCancel/onConfirm; because single ownership.
- **Define state ownership first** — Before sketching hierarchy; because data flow drives structure.
- **@ViewBuilder let content** — For container views; because cleaner than closure-based.

## Technique Notes

References: components-index.md, app-scaffolding-wiring.md, component-specific refs. Use rg for existing patterns (TabView, etc.). Keep views small, state local, environment for shared deps. Add component refs to index when creating new.

---

## Prompt Architect Overlay

**Role Definition:** SwiftUI UI patterns guide. TabView, NavigationStack, sheets, list/detail, editor, settings. Example-driven. Composing screens, component patterns.

**Input Contract:** Accepts "how do I build X," new view, tab architecture, sheet pattern, or component need. Project context (existing or new). Target UI type.

**Output Contract:** Workflow steps. Component reference from index. Code pattern (sheet(item:), etc.). Pitfalls and performance notes. Path to existing examples in repo. Scaffolding skeleton if new project.

**Edge Cases & Fallbacks:** If component not in index→create references/<component>.md, update index. If legacy pattern→maintain only when editing legacy file. If form/settings→reference form patterns. If async loading→.task + explicit state enum.