name: macos-spm-app-packaging
description: Scaffold, build, and package SwiftPM-based macOS apps without an Xcode project. Use when you need a from-scratch macOS app layout, SwiftPM targets/resources, a custom .app bundle assembly script, or signing/notarization/appcast steps outside Xcode.

macOS SwiftPM App Packaging (No Xcode)

Overview

Bootstrap a complete SwiftPM macOS app folder, then build, package, and run it without Xcode. Use assets/templates/bootstrap/ for the starter layout and references/packaging.md + references/release.md for packaging and release details.

Two-Step Workflow

1) Bootstrap the project folder
- Copy assets/templates/bootstrap/ into a new repo.
- Rename MyApp in Package.swift, Sources/MyApp/, and version.env.
- Customize APP_NAME, BUNDLE_ID, and versions.

2) Build, package, and run the bootstrapped app
- Copy scripts from assets/templates/ into your repo (for example, Scripts/).
- Build/tests: swift build and swift test.
- Package: Scripts/package_app.sh.
- Run: Scripts/compile_and_run.sh (preferred) or Scripts/launch.sh.
- Release (optional): Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh and Scripts/make_appcast.sh.
- Tag + GitHub release (optional): create a git tag, upload the zip/appcast to the GitHub release, and publish.

Templates

• assets/templates/package_app.sh: Build binaries, create the .app bundle, copy resources, sign.
• assets/templates/compile_and_run.sh: Dev loop to kill running app, package, launch.
• assets/templates/build_icon.sh: Generate .icns from an Icon Composer file (requires Xcode install).
• assets/templates/sign-and-notarize.sh: Notarize, staple, and zip a release build.
• assets/templates/make_appcast.sh: Generate Sparkle appcast entries for updates.
• assets/templates/setup_dev_signing.sh: Create a stable dev code-signing identity.
• assets/templates/launch.sh: Simple launcher for a packaged .app.
• assets/templates/version.env: Example version file consumed by packaging scripts.
• assets/templates/bootstrap/: Minimal SwiftPM macOS app skeleton (Package.swift, Sources/, version.env).

Notes

• Keep entitlements and signing configuration explicit; edit the template scripts instead of reimplementing.
• Remove Sparkle steps if you do not use Sparkle for updates.
• Sparkle relies on the bundle build number (CFBundleVersion), so BUILD_NUMBER in version.env must increase for each update.
• For menu bar apps, set MENU_BAR_APP=1 when packaging to emit LSUIElement in Info.plist.