swiftui-design-principles

This skill encodes design principles derived from comparing polished, production-quality SwiftUI apps against poorly-built ones. The patterns here represent what separates an app that feels "right" from one where the margins, spacing, and text sizes just look "off."

Apply these principles whenever building or modifying SwiftUI interfaces, WidgetKit widgets, or any native Apple UI.

Core Philosophy

Restraint over decoration. Every pixel must earn its place. A polished app uses fewer colors, fewer font sizes, fewer spacing values, and fewer words — but uses them consistently. Over-engineering visual elements (custom gradients, decorative borders, bespoke dividers) creates visual noise. Native components and system colors create harmony.

Attention is scarce. Keep UI copy shorter than you think it needs to be. Prefer one clear headline and one compact supporting block over repeated explanation in the title, subtitle, body, and footer. If a screen needs rationale, put it in one purposeful place instead of scattering it across the page.

1. Spacing System: Use a Consistent Grid

CRITICAL: Use spacing values from a base-4/base-8 grid. Never use arbitrary values.

Allowed spacing values

4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 40, 48

Bad (arbitrary values that create visual dissonance)

// WRONG - these numbers have no relationship to each other
.padding(.bottom, 26)
.padding(.bottom, 34)
.padding(.bottom, 36)
HStack(spacing: 18)
.padding(14)

Good (values from a consistent grid)

// RIGHT - predictable rhythm the eye can follow
.padding(.horizontal, 20)
.padding(.top, 8)
Spacer().frame(height: 32)
HStack(spacing: 4)  // or 8, 12, 16
.padding(.vertical, 12)
.padding(.horizontal, 16)

Standard padding assignments

Outer content padding: 16-20pt horizontal
Between major sections: 24-32pt vertical
Within grouped components: 4-12pt
Card/row internal padding: 12-16pt vertical, 16pt horizontal

2. Typography: Hierarchy Through Weight, Not Just Size

The principle

Use fewer font sizes with clear weight differentiation. Lighter weights at larger sizes; medium/regular at smaller sizes. This creates sophistication rather than visual chaos.

Recommended type scale (for a data-focused app)

Role	Size	Weight	Notes
Hero number	36-42pt	`.light`	Large but visually light -- elegant, not heavy
Secondary stat	20-24pt	`.light`	Same weight family as hero, smaller
Body / toggle label	15pt	`.regular`	Standard iOS body size
Section header (uppercase)	11pt	`.medium`	With tracking/letter-spacing
Caption / subtitle	11-13pt	`.regular`	Secondary information

Bad (too many sizes, inconsistent weights)

// WRONG - 7 different sizes with no clear system
.font(.system(size: 60, weight: .ultraLight))   // hero
.font(.system(size: 44, weight: .regular))        // stat (too close to hero)
.font(.system(size: 31, weight: .ultraLight))     // percent symbol (odd ratio)
.font(.system(size: 18, weight: .regular))        // label (too big for a toggle)
.font(.system(size: 14, weight: .regular))        // header
.font(.system(size: 13, weight: .regular))        // another header
.font(.system(size: 12, weight: .regular))        // button (too small to read)

Good (clear hierarchy, fewer sizes)

// RIGHT - 5 sizes, clear purpose for each
.font(.system(size: 42, weight: .light, design: .monospaced))    // hero
.font(.system(size: 24, weight: .light, design: .monospaced))    // stat value
.font(.system(size: 15, weight: .regular, design: .monospaced))  // body
.font(.system(size: 14, weight: .regular, design: .monospaced))  // secondary
.font(.system(size: 11, weight: .medium, design: .monospaced))   // label

Font design consistency

Pick ONE font design and use it everywhere -- app AND widgets:

// If using monospaced, use it everywhere
design: .monospaced  // app views, widgets, lock screen -- all of them

// NEVER mix designs between app and widgets
// BAD: .monospaced in app, .rounded in lock screen widget

Letter spacing (tracking)

Use at most 2 values, and only on uppercase labels:

.tracking(1.5)  // section labels: "NOTIFICATIONS", "DAY", "LEFT"
.tracking(3)    // navigation/toolbar titles

Never use 3+ different tracking values like kerning(4), kerning(4.5), kerning(5) -- the differences are imperceptible but the inconsistency registers subconsciously.

Numeric formatting for identifiers

Years and other fixed identifiers should not be locale-grouped.

// RIGHT - stable, non-grouped identifier text
Text(String(year))                  // "2026"
Text(year, format: .number.grouping(.never))

// WRONG - locale grouping can render "2,026"
Text("\(year)")

3. Colors: System Semantic Colors Over Hardcoded Values

The principle

Use SwiftUI's semantic color system. It automatically handles light/dark mode, accessibility, and looks native. Hardcoded colors with manual opacity values create maintenance nightmares and look artificial.

Bad (hardcoded white with a dozen opacity values)

// WRONG - impossible to maintain, doesn't adapt to light mode
Color.black.ignoresSafeArea()           // forced dark
Color.white.opacity(0.08)               // ring background
Color.white.opacity(0.09)               // divider
Color.white.opacity(0.3)                // year text
Color.white.opacity(0.32)               // stat label
Color.white.opacity(0.42)               // percent symbol
Color.white.opacity(0.44)               // toggle tint
Color.white.opacity(0.72)               // button text
Color.white.opacity(0.88)               // toggle label
Color.white.opacity(0.9)                // stat value
Color.white.opacity(0.94)               // ring fill

Good (semantic system colors)

// RIGHT - adapts automatically, looks native, easy to maintain
Color(.systemBackground)                 // main background
Color(.secondarySystemBackground)        // card/group backgrounds
Color(.separator)                        // dividers (with optional opacity)
Color.primary                            // primary text and UI elements
.foregroundStyle(.secondary)              // secondary text
.foregroundStyle(.tertiary)               // labels, captions

When you do need opacity

Limit to 2-3 values with clear purposes:

.opacity(0.15)  // subtle background strokes
.opacity(0.3)   // separator lines
// That's it. If you need more, you're probably hardcoding what semantic colors handle.

4. Component Sizing: Proportional, Not Oversized

Progress rings / circular indicators

// App main view: 200x200 with thin stroke
.frame(width: 200, height: 200)
Circle().stroke(..., lineWidth: 3)

// Widget (systemSmall): 90x90, same stroke
.frame(width: 90, height: 90)
Circle().stroke(..., lineWidth: 3)

// WRONG: oversized ring with thick inconsistent strokes
.frame(width: 260, height: 260)    // too large, dominates screen
Circle().stroke(..., lineWidth: 9)  // background
Circle().stroke(..., lineWidth: 8)  // fill -- WHY different from background?

Stroke width consistency

Always use the same lineWidth for background and foreground strokes of the same element:

// RIGHT
Circle().stroke(background, lineWidth: 3)
Circle().trim(from: 0, to: fraction).stroke(fill, lineWidth: 3)

// WRONG - creates visual misalignment
Circle().stroke(background, lineWidth: 9)
Circle().trim(from: 0, to: fraction).stroke(fill, lineWidth: 8)

List rows and toggle rows

// RIGHT - natural sizing with proper padding
Toggle(isOn: $value) {
    Text(title)
        .font(.system(size: 15, weight: .regular, design: .monospaced))
}
.padding(.horizontal, 16)
.padding(.vertical, 12)

// WRONG - fixed oversized height
HStack {
    Text(label)
        .font(.system(size: 18))   // too big for a toggle label
    Spacer()
    Toggle("", isOn: $isOn)
        .labelsHidden()             // why hide the label? Use Toggle properly
}
.frame(height: 70)                  // way too tall

5. Grouped Content & Cards: Use System Patterns

Bad (over-engineered custom card)

// WRONG - custom gradient, overlay border, huge corner radius
VStack { ... }
    .padding(.vertical, 4)              // too tight
    .background(
        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 22)   // too round
            .fill(LinearGradient(            // unnecessary gradient
                colors: [Color(white: 0.10), Color(white: 0.085)],
                startPoint: .topLeading, endPoint: .bottomTrailing
            ))
    )
    .overlay(
        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 22)
            .stroke(Color.white.opacity(0.08), lineWidth: 1)  // decorative border
    )

Good (native grouped style)

// RIGHT - simple, native, works in light and dark mode
VStack(spacing: 0) {
    row1
    Divider().padding(.leading, 16)
    row2
    Divider().padding(.leading, 16)
    row3
}
.background(Color(.secondarySystemBackground))
.clipShape(.rect(cornerRadius: 10))

Key rules for grouped content

Corner radius: 10pt for cards/groups (matches iOS system style). Never 22pt+.
Dividers: Use the system Divider() with .padding(.leading, 16) for iOS-standard inset. Never build custom divider structs.
Card padding: 12-16pt vertical, 16pt horizontal. Never 4pt vertical.
Background: Color(.secondarySystemBackground) -- never custom gradients for standard cards.

6. Navigation: Use NavigationStack

// RIGHT - proper navigation with minimal toolbar
NavigationStack {
    ScrollView {
        content
    }
    .toolbar {
        ToolbarItem(placement: .principal) {
            Text("Title")
                .font(.system(size: 13, weight: .medium, design: .monospaced))
                .tracking(3)
                .foregroundStyle(.tertiary)
        }
    }
    .navigationBarTitleDisplayMode(.inline)
}

// WRONG - no navigation structure, just a ZStack
ZStack {
    Color.black.ignoresSafeArea()
    ScrollView {
        VStack {
            Text("2026").font(...) // manually placed "title"
            content
        }
    }
}

7. WidgetKit: Use Native Components

Circular lock screen widget

// RIGHT - use Gauge, it's purpose-built for this
Gauge(value: entry.fraction) {
    Text("")
} currentValueLabel: {
    Text("\(Int(entry.percentage))%")
        .font(.system(size: 12, weight: .medium, design: .monospaced))
}
.gaugeStyle(.accessoryCircular)
.containerBackground(.fill.tertiary, for: .widget)

// WRONG - manual circle drawing for lock screen
ZStack {
    Circle().stroke(Color.primary.opacity(0.18), lineWidth: 4)
    Circle().trim(from: 0, to: progress).stroke(...)
    Text(percentText)
        .font(.system(size: 14, weight: .bold, design: .rounded)) // wrong font design!
}

Rectangular lock screen widget

// RIGHT - use Gauge with linearCapacity
VStack(alignment: .leading, spacing: 4) {
    HStack {
        Text(year).font(.system(size: 13, weight: .semibold, design: .monospaced))
        Spacer()
        Text(percentage).font(.system(size: 13, weight: .medium, design: .monospaced))
            .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
    }
    Gauge(value: fraction) { Text("") }
        .gaugeStyle(.linearCapacity)
        .tint(.primary)
    HStack {
        Spacer()
        Text("\(dayOfYear)/\(totalDays)")
            .font(.system(size: 11, weight: .regular, design: .monospaced))
            .foregroundStyle(.secondary)
    }
}
.containerBackground(.fill.tertiary, for: .widget)

// WRONG - custom GeometryReader progress bar
GeometryReader { proxy in
    ZStack(alignment: .leading) {
        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 2).fill(Color.primary.opacity(0.16))
        RoundedRectangle(cornerRadius: 2).fill(Color.primary)
            .frame(width: max(2, proxy.size.width * progress))
    }
}
.frame(height: 6)

Widget background

// RIGHT
.containerBackground(.fill.tertiary, for: .widget)

// WRONG - hardcoded color
.containerBackground(.black, for: .widget)

Widget family coverage

Support all relevant families -- don't skip common ones:

.supportedFamilies([
    .accessoryCircular,      // lock screen circle
    .accessoryRectangular,   // lock screen rectangle
    .accessoryInline,        // lock screen inline text
    .systemSmall,            // home screen small
    .systemMedium,           // home screen medium
    .systemLarge,            // home screen large
])

Cross-family visual consistency

Medium and large home widgets should share the same structural layout:

Header: year on the left, percentage on the right
Middle: progress bar
Footer: day/total right aligned

Do not re-invent hierarchy per family unless there is a hard size constraint.

Always include explicit internal padding on home widgets to avoid clipping near rounded edges:

.padding(.horizontal, 12)
.padding(.vertical, 12)

Widget memory budget (hard limit)

Widget extensions have a tight memory budget (commonly around 30 MB). Dense visualizations can be killed by EXC_RESOURCE if built from too many nested views.

// RIGHT - draw dense dot grids in one pass
Canvas { context, size in
    // draw 365/366 dots here
}

// WRONG - hundreds of nested subviews (high memory overhead)
LazyVGrid(columns: columns) {
    ForEach(1...366, id: \.self) { day in
        ZStack { Circle(); partialFillLayer }
    }
}

Timeline refresh (match data granularity)

// RIGHT - refresh at midnight for day-level data
let tomorrow = calendar.startOfDay(for: calendar.date(byAdding: .day, value: 1, to: now)!)
Timeline(entries: [entry], policy: .after(tomorrow))

// RIGHT - periodic refresh for time-of-day dependent percentages/partial fills
let refresh = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .minute, value: 15, to: now)!
Timeline(entries: [entry], policy: .after(refresh))

// WRONG - minute-level refresh for static daily data
let tooFrequent = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .minute, value: 1, to: now)!
Timeline(entries: [entry], policy: .after(tooFrequent))

8. Interactive Elements

Toggles

// RIGHT - use Toggle with its built-in label, tint with a single accent color
Toggle(isOn: $value) {
    Text(title)
        .font(.system(size: 15, weight: .regular, design: .monospaced))
}
.tint(.green)

// WRONG - hidden label with manual HStack layout
HStack {
    Text(label).font(.system(size: 18))
    Spacer()
    Toggle("", isOn: $isOn)
        .labelsHidden()
        .tint(Color.white.opacity(0.44))  // low-contrast tint
}

Mutually exclusive options

When options are exclusive (e.g. daily/weekly/monthly cadence), use one selected value, not three independent toggles.

// RIGHT - single source of truth
enum Cadence: String, CaseIterable { case daily, weekly, monthly }
@State private var cadence: Cadence = .daily

ForEach(Cadence.allCases, id: \.rawValue) { option in
    Button {
        cadence = option
    } label: {
        HStack {
            Image(systemName: cadence == option ? "checkmark.circle.fill" : "circle")
            Text(option.rawValue.capitalized)
        }
    }
}

// RIGHT - one preview action when content is shared
Button("Preview") { sendPreview() }

// WRONG - independent toggles allow contradictory state
Toggle("Daily", isOn: $daily)
Toggle("Weekly", isOn: $weekly)
Toggle("Monthly", isOn: $monthly)

Animated transitions for changing numbers

// Add to any Text that displays a changing numeric value
Text(String(format: "%.2f", percentage))
    .contentTransition(.numericText())

9. Interactive Editors: Centralize Geometry and State

Interactive editors (collages, crops, canvases, media framing tools, layout pickers) need stricter state and layout discipline than ordinary forms.

Presentation state

Present editor flows from payload state, not from a separate Bool plus independently-managed data.

// RIGHT - presentation only happens when payload exists
@State private var activeCropRequest: CropRequest?

.sheet(item: $activeCropRequest) { request in
    CropEditor(request: request)
}

// WRONG - the sheet can open before the backing data is ready
@State private var showCropEditor = false
@State private var selectedImage: UIImage?

.sheet(isPresented: $showCropEditor) {
    if let selectedImage { CropEditor(image: selectedImage) }
}

Shared geometry model

If the app previews pan/zoom/crop/layout live and later exports the result, use one shared geometry model for both preview and render.

// RIGHT - one source of truth for bounds and transforms
let normalized = EditorGeometry.normalizedAdjustment(adjustment, imageSize: image.size, slotSize: slotSize)
let drawRect = EditorGeometry.drawRect(for: image.size, in: slotRect, adjustment: adjustment)

// WRONG - preview and export each invent their own math
let previewOffset = ...
let exportOffset = ...

If a user can zoom out enough to reveal background, that must be an intentional part of the shared geometry model, not an editor-only exception.

Gesture coordination

Tap, long-press-drag, and pinch are not independent features. In SwiftUI they compete unless you model their relationship explicitly.

Use a single interaction state for the active tile/card/canvas item.
Decide which gesture has priority and which ones should run simultaneously.
Reset temporary gesture state deliberately when selection changes.
Prefer one coherent state machine over scattered booleans tied to individual gestures.

Fixed editor layout

If the screen must not scroll, budget vertical space top-down using a few named regions:

header
canvas stage
settings region
bottom toolbar

Keep that sizing math in one place. Don't let each subview invent its own height.

Custom headers and safe areas

If you replace the system navigation bar with a custom header:

Be explicit about whether the parent already respects the safe area.
Do not add safeAreaInsets.top reflexively; double-counting it creates obvious dead space.
Keep custom headers compact. They should feel like navigation chrome, not a full content section.

Settings surfaces

When an editor has several configuration modes (Layout, Border, Ratio, Background, etc.), show one active settings surface at a time instead of stacking every control on screen.

This keeps the canvas visually dominant and makes each control group easier to understand.

10. Data Model: Share Between App and Widgets

// RIGHT - one model used everywhere
struct YearProgress {
    // shared calculation logic
    static func current() -> YearProgress { ... }
}
// Used by both ContentView and widget TimelineProvider

// If percentage is shown as live progress, include time-of-day in shared math
let dayProgress = elapsedInCurrentDay / totalSecondsInDay
let elapsedDays = Double(dayOfYear - 1) + dayProgress
let fraction = elapsedDays / Double(totalDays)

// WRONG - separate snapshot structs with duplicated date math
struct YearProgressSnapshot { ... }            // in app
struct YearProgressWidgetSnapshot { ... }      // in widget extension (duplicated!)

11. Quick Checklist

Before shipping any SwiftUI view, verify: