# App Intents

> Implement App Intents for Siri, Shortcuts, Spotlight, widgets, Control Center, and Apple Intelligence on iOS. Covers AppIntent actions, AppEntity and EntityQuery models, AppShortcutsProvider phrases, IndexedEntity Spotlight indexing, WidgetConfigurationIntent, SnippetIntent, and assistant schemas. Use when exposing app actions or entities to system surfaces.

- Skill: `majiayu000/app-intents` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add majiayu000/app-intents`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/majiayu000/app-intents/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: majiayu000 (https://skillmd.com/u/majiayu000)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/majiayu000/app-intents

---


# App Intents (iOS 26+)

Implement, review, and extend App Intents to expose app functionality to Siri,
Shortcuts, Spotlight, widgets, Control Center, and Apple Intelligence.

## Contents

- [Triage Workflow](#triage-workflow)
- [AppIntent Protocol](#appintent-protocol)
- [@Parameter](#parameter)
- [AppEntity](#appentity)
- [EntityQuery (4 Variants)](#entityquery-4-variants)
- [AppEnum](#appenum)
- [AppShortcutsProvider](#appshortcutsprovider)
- [Siri Integration](#siri-integration)
- [Interactive Widget Intents](#interactive-widget-intents)
- [Control Center Widgets (iOS 18+)](#control-center-widgets-ios-18)
- [Spotlight and IndexedEntity (iOS 18+)](#spotlight-and-indexedentity-ios-18)
- [iOS 26 Additions](#ios-26-additions)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)

## Triage Workflow

### Step 1: Identify the integration surface

Determine which system feature the intent targets:

| Surface | Protocol | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Siri / Shortcuts | `AppIntent` | iOS 16 |
| Configurable widget | `WidgetConfigurationIntent` | iOS 17 |
| Control Center | `ControlConfigurationIntent` | iOS 18 |
| Spotlight search | `IndexedEntity` | iOS 18 |
| Apple Intelligence | `@AppIntent(schema:)` | iOS 18 |
| Interactive snippets | `SnippetIntent` | iOS 26 |
| Visual Intelligence | `IntentValueQuery` | iOS 26 |

### Step 2: Define the data model

- Create `AppEntity` shadow models (do NOT conform core data models directly).
- Create `AppEnum` types for fixed parameter choices.
- Choose the right `EntityQuery` variant for resolution.
- Mark searchable entities with `IndexedEntity` and `@Property(indexingKey:)`.

### Step 3: Implement the intent

- Conform to `AppIntent` (or a specialized sub-protocol).
- Declare `@Parameter` properties for all user-facing inputs.
- Implement `perform() async throws -> some IntentResult`.
- Add `parameterSummary` for Shortcuts UI.
- Register phrases via `AppShortcutsProvider`.

### Step 4: Verify

- Build and run in Shortcuts app to confirm parameter resolution.
- Test Siri phrases with the intent preview in Xcode.
- Confirm Spotlight results for `IndexedEntity` types.
- Check widget configuration for `WidgetConfigurationIntent` intents.

## AppIntent Protocol

The system instantiates the struct via `init()`, sets parameters, then calls
`perform()`. Declare a `title` and `parameterSummary` for Shortcuts UI.

```swift
struct OrderSoupIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Order Soup"
    static var description = IntentDescription("Place a soup order.")

    @Parameter(title: "Soup") var soup: SoupEntity
    @Parameter(title: "Quantity", default: 1) var quantity: Int

    static var parameterSummary: some ParameterSummary {
        Summary("Order \(\.$soup)") { \.$quantity }
    }

    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
        try await OrderService.shared.place(soup: soup.id, quantity: quantity)
        return .result(dialog: "Ordered \(quantity) \(soup.name).")
    }
}
```

Optional members: `description` (`IntentDescription`), `openAppWhenRun` (`Bool`),
`isDiscoverable` (`Bool`), `authenticationPolicy` (`IntentAuthenticationPolicy`).

## @Parameter

Declare each user-facing input with `@Parameter`. Optional parameters are not
required; non-optional parameters with a `default` are pre-filled.

```swift
// WRONG: Non-optional parameter without default -- system cannot preview
@Parameter(title: "Count")
var count: Int

// CORRECT: Provide a default or make optional
@Parameter(title: "Count", default: 1)
var count: Int

@Parameter(title: "Count")
var count: Int?
```

### Supported value types

Primitives: `Int`, `Double`, `Bool`, `String`, `URL`, `Date`, `DateComponents`.
Framework: `Currency`, `Person`, `IntentFile`. Measurements: `Measurement<UnitLength>`,
`Measurement<UnitTemperature>`, and others. Custom: any `AppEntity` or `AppEnum`.

### Common initializer patterns

```swift
// Basic
@Parameter(title: "Name")
var name: String

// With default
@Parameter(title: "Count", default: 5)
var count: Int

// Numeric slider
@Parameter(title: "Volume", controlStyle: .slider, inclusiveRange: (0, 100))
var volume: Int

// Options provider (dynamic list)
@Parameter(title: "Category", optionsProvider: CategoryOptionsProvider())
var category: Category

// File with content types
@Parameter(title: "Document", supportedContentTypes: [.pdf, .plainText])
var document: IntentFile

// Measurement with unit
@Parameter(title: "Distance", defaultUnit: .miles, supportsNegativeNumbers: false)
var distance: Measurement<UnitLength>
```

See `references/appintents-advanced.md` for all initializer variants.

## AppEntity

Create shadow models that mirror app data -- never conform core data model
types directly.

```swift
struct SoupEntity: AppEntity {
    static let defaultQuery = SoupEntityQuery()
    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Soup"
    var id: String

    @Property(title: "Name") var name: String
    @Property(title: "Price") var price: Double

    var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation {
        DisplayRepresentation(title: "\(name)", subtitle: "$\(String(format: "%.2f", price))")
    }

    init(from soup: Soup) {
        self.id = soup.id; self.name = soup.name; self.price = soup.price
    }
}
```

Required: `id`, `defaultQuery` (static), `displayRepresentation`,
`typeDisplayRepresentation` (static). Mark properties with `@Property(title:)`
to expose for filtering/sorting. Properties without `@Property` remain internal.

## EntityQuery (4 Variants)

### 1. EntityQuery (base -- resolve by ID)

```swift
struct SoupEntityQuery: EntityQuery {
    func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
    func suggestedEntities() async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.featured.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
}
```

### 2. EntityStringQuery (free-text search)

```swift
struct SoupStringQuery: EntityStringQuery {
    func entities(matching string: String) async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.search(string).map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
    func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
}
```

### 3. EnumerableEntityQuery (finite set)

```swift
struct AllSoupsQuery: EnumerableEntityQuery {
    func allEntities() async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.allSoups.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
    func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] {
        SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) }
    }
}
```

### 4. UniqueAppEntityQuery (singleton, iOS 18+)

Use for single-instance entities like app settings.

```swift
struct AppSettingsEntity: UniqueAppEntity {
    static let defaultQuery = AppSettingsQuery()
    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Settings"
    var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { "App Settings" }

    var id: String { "app-settings" }
}

struct AppSettingsQuery: UniqueAppEntityQuery {
    func entity() async throws -> AppSettingsEntity {
        AppSettingsEntity()
    }
}
```

See `references/appintents-advanced.md` for `EntityPropertyQuery` with
filter/sort support.

## AppEnum

Define fixed sets of selectable values. Must be backed by a
`LosslessStringConvertible` raw value (use `String`).

```swift
enum SoupSize: String, AppEnum {
    case small, medium, large

    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Size"

    static var caseDisplayRepresentations: [SoupSize: DisplayRepresentation] = [
        .small: "Small",
        .medium: "Medium",
        .large: "Large"
    ]
}
```

```swift
// WRONG: Using Int raw value
enum Priority: Int, AppEnum { // Compiler error -- Int is not LosslessStringConvertible
    case low = 1, medium = 2, high = 3
}

// CORRECT: Use String raw value
enum Priority: String, AppEnum {
    case low, medium, high
    // ...
}
```

## AppShortcutsProvider

Register pre-built shortcuts that appear in Siri and the Shortcuts app without
user configuration.

```swift
struct MyAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider {
    static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] {
        AppShortcut(
            intent: OrderSoupIntent(),
            phrases: [
                "Order \(\.$soup) in \(.applicationName)",
                "Get soup from \(.applicationName)"
            ],
            shortTitle: "Order Soup",
            systemImageName: "cup.and.saucer"
        )
    }

    static var shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor = .navy
}
```

### Phrase rules

- Every phrase MUST include `\(.applicationName)`.
- Phrases can reference parameters: `\(\.$soup)`.
- Call `updateAppShortcutParameters()` when dynamic option values change.
- Use `negativePhrases` to prevent false Siri activations.

## Siri Integration

### Donating intents

Donate intents so the system learns user patterns and suggests them in Spotlight:

```swift
let intent = OrderSoupIntent()
intent.soup = favoriteSoupEntity
try await intent.donate()
```

### Predictable intents

Conform to `PredictableIntent` for Siri prediction of upcoming actions.

## Interactive Widget Intents

Use `AppIntent` with `Button`/`Toggle` in widgets. Use
`WidgetConfigurationIntent` for configurable widget parameters.

```swift
struct ToggleFavoriteIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Toggle Favorite"
    @Parameter(title: "Item ID") var itemID: String

    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
        FavoriteStore.shared.toggle(itemID)
        return .result()
    }
}

// In widget view:
Button(intent: ToggleFavoriteIntent(itemID: entry.id)) {
    Image(systemName: entry.isFavorite ? "heart.fill" : "heart")
}
```

### WidgetConfigurationIntent

```swift
struct BookWidgetConfig: WidgetConfigurationIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Favorite Book"
    @Parameter(title: "Book", default: "The Swift Programming Language") var bookTitle: String
}

// Connect to WidgetKit:
struct MyWidget: Widget {
    var body: some WidgetConfiguration {
        AppIntentConfiguration(kind: "FavoriteBook", intent: BookWidgetConfig.self, provider: MyTimelineProvider()) { entry in
            BookWidgetView(entry: entry)
        }
    }
}
```

## Control Center Widgets (iOS 18+)

Expose controls in Control Center and Lock Screen with
`ControlConfigurationIntent` and `ControlWidget`.

```swift
struct LightControlConfig: ControlConfigurationIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Light Control"
    @Parameter(title: "Light", default: .livingRoom) var light: LightEntity
}

struct ToggleLightIntent: AppIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Toggle Light"
    @Parameter(title: "Light") var light: LightEntity
    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
        try await LightService.shared.toggle(light.id)
        return .result()
    }
}

struct LightControl: ControlWidget {
    var body: some ControlWidgetConfiguration {
        AppIntentControlConfiguration(kind: "LightControl", intent: LightControlConfig.self) { config in
            ControlWidgetToggle(config.light.name, isOn: config.light.isOn, action: ToggleLightIntent(light: config.light))
        }
    }
}
```

## Spotlight and IndexedEntity (iOS 18+)

Conform to `IndexedEntity` for Spotlight search. On iOS 26+, use `indexingKey`
for structured metadata:

```swift
struct RecipeEntity: IndexedEntity {
    static let defaultQuery = RecipeQuery()
    static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Recipe"
    var id: String

    @Property(title: "Name", indexingKey: .title) var name: String   // iOS 26+
    @ComputedProperty(indexingKey: .description)                      // iOS 26+
    var summary: String { "\(name) -- a delicious recipe" }

    var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation {
        DisplayRepresentation(title: "\(name)")
    }
}
```

## iOS 26 Additions

### SnippetIntent

Display interactive snippets in system UI:

```swift
struct OrderStatusSnippet: SnippetIntent {
    static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Order Status"
    func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ShowsSnippetView {
        let status = await OrderTracker.currentStatus()
        return .result(view: OrderStatusSnippetView(status: status))
    }
    static func reload() { /* notify system to refresh */ }
}

// A calling intent can display this snippet via:
// return .result(snippetIntent: OrderStatusSnippet())
```

### IntentValueQuery (Visual Intelligence)

```swift
struct ProductValueQuery: IntentValueQuery {
    typealias Input = String
    typealias Result = ProductEntity
    func values(for input: String) async throws -> [ProductEntity] {
        ProductStore.shared.search(input).map { ProductEntity(from: $0) }
    }
}
```

## Common Mistakes

1. **Conforming core data models to AppEntity.** Create dedicated shadow models
   instead. Core models carry persistence logic that conflicts with intent
   lifecycle.

2. **Missing `\(.applicationName)` in phrases.** Every `AppShortcut` phrase
   MUST include the application name token. Siri uses it for disambiguation.

3. **Non-optional @Parameter without default.** The system cannot preview or
   pre-fill such parameters. Make non-optional parameters have a `default`, or
   mark them optional.

   ```swift
   // WRONG
   @Parameter(title: "Count")
   var count: Int

   // CORRECT
   @Parameter(title: "Count", default: 1)
   var count: Int
   ```

4. **Using Int raw value for AppEnum.** `AppEnum` requires `RawRepresentable`
   where `RawValue: LosslessStringConvertible`. Use `String`.

5. **Forgetting `suggestedEntities()`.** Without it, the Shortcuts picker shows no defaults.
6. **Throwing for missing entities in `entities(for:)`.** Omit missing entities instead.
7. **Stale Spotlight index.** Call `updateAppShortcutParameters()` when entity data changes.
8. **Missing `typeDisplayRepresentation`.** Both `AppEntity` and `AppEnum` require it.
9. **Using deprecated `@AssistantEntity(schema:)` / `@AssistantEnum(schema:)`.** Use `@AppEntity(schema:)` and `@AppEnum(schema:)` instead. Note: `@AssistantIntent(schema:)` is still active.
10. **Blocking perform().** `perform()` is async -- use `await` for I/O.

## Review Checklist

- [ ] Every `AppIntent` has a descriptive `title` (verb + noun, title case)
- [ ] `@Parameter` types are optional or have defaults for system preview
- [ ] `AppEntity` types are shadow models, not core data model conformances
- [ ] `AppEntity` has `displayRepresentation` and `typeDisplayRepresentation`
- [ ] `EntityQuery.entities(for:)` omits missing IDs; `suggestedEntities()` implemented
- [ ] `AppEnum` uses `String` raw value with `caseDisplayRepresentations`
- [ ] `AppShortcutsProvider` phrases include `\(.applicationName)`; `parameterSummary` defined
- [ ] `IndexedEntity` properties use `@Property(indexingKey:)` on iOS 26+
- [ ] Control Center intents conform to `ControlConfigurationIntent`; widget intents to `WidgetConfigurationIntent`
- [ ] No deprecated `@AssistantEntity` / `@AssistantEnum` macros (note: `@AssistantIntent(schema:)` is still active)
- [ ] `perform()` uses async/await (no blocking); runs in expected isolation context; intent types are `Sendable`

## References

- See `references/appintents-advanced.md` for @Parameter variants, EntityPropertyQuery, assistant schemas, focus filters, SiriKit migration, error handling, confirmation flows, authentication, URL-representable types, and Spotlight indexing details.