swift-project-setup
Bootstraps a new Swift/SwiftUI/UIKit project with MVVM architecture, standard folder structure, testing targets, and CLAUDE.md configuration. Use when user says "create a new project", "setup a new app", "start a new iOS project", "scaffold a Swift project", "initialize an Xcode project", or "new SwiftUI app".
Swift Project Setup
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Requirements
Ask the user (if not already provided):
- Project name and bundle identifier
- Target platforms (iOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS)
- Minimum iOS version
- UI framework: SwiftUI, UIKit, or both
- Testing mode: enterprise or indie (see
references/inswift-testingskill) - Persistence: None / SwiftData (iOS 17+) / CoreData
- Any SPM dependencies to add upfront
Step 2: Define Folder Structure
Ask if not already provided: SwiftUI, UIKit, or Mixed (SwiftUI + UIKit)?
Then load the matching reference:
- SwiftUI →
references/structure-swiftui.md - UIKit →
references/structure-uikit.md - Mixed →
references/structure-mixed.md
Apply the template exactly. Then consult references/file-naming.md for group naming rules and the "What Never Goes Where" table before placing any file.
Step 3: Generate Architecture Skeleton
Create core protocol files:
// Core/Protocols/ViewModelProtocol.swift
import Foundation
@MainActor
protocol ViewModelProtocol: AnyObject {
func onAppear() async
}
// Core/Protocols/RepositoryProtocol.swift
import Foundation
protocol RepositoryProtocol {
associatedtype Model
func fetch() async throws -> [Model]
}
Generate a placeholder feature (e.g., Home):
// Features/Home/HomeView.swift
import SwiftUI
struct HomeView: View {
@State private var viewModel = HomeViewModel()
var body: some View {
Text("Hello, \(viewModel.title)")
.task { await viewModel.onAppear() }
}
}
#Preview {
HomeView()
}
// Features/Home/HomeViewModel.swift
import Foundation
import Observation
@MainActor
@Observable
final class HomeViewModel {
private(set) var title: String = ""
func onAppear() async {
title = "World"
}
}
Step 4: CLAUDE.md Setup
Copy CLAUDE.md from swift-unit-test-instructions into the project root.
Fill in the Project Configuration block:
- Project Name
- Testing Mode (enterprise or indie)
- UI Framework
- Min iOS Version
Step 5: Skills Setup
Create .claude/skills/ in the project root.
Copy the following skills from swift-unit-test-instructions/skills/:
swift-testing/(mandatory)swift-architecture-audit/(recommended)swiftui-component/(if using SwiftUI)swift-networking/(if networking needed)swift-persistence/(if persistence selected)swift-code-review/(recommended)
Also copy .claude/commands/ and .claude/agents/ from swift-unit-test-instructions/ into the project's .claude/ folder.
STOP. Present the plan to the user and wait for confirmation before generating any files.
Plan: [ProjectName]
Structure: [SwiftUI | UIKit | Mixed]
Persistence: [None | SwiftData | CoreData]
Testing: [enterprise | indie]
Files to create:
- [list key files]
Confirm to proceed?
Step 6: Initial Testing Files
Create placeholder tests to validate the setup compiles:
// ProjectNameTests/HomeViewModelTests.swift
import Testing
@testable import ProjectName
@MainActor
struct HomeViewModelTests {
@Test func test_when_onAppear_should_setTitle() async {
// Arrange
let sut = HomeViewModel()
// Act
await sut.onAppear()
// Assert
#expect(sut.title == "World")
}
}
Examples
Example 1: New SwiftUI app
User says: "Create a new SwiftUI project called TaskMate for iOS 17+"
Actions:
- Confirm: bundle ID, testing mode, any dependencies
- Generate folder structure with explanation
- Create
TaskMateApp.swift,HomeView.swift,HomeViewModel.swift - Create
CLAUDE.mdwith filled-in config - Output next steps checklist
Example 2: UIKit project
User says: "Start a new UIKit project called BankingApp, enterprise testing"
Actions:
- Generate UIKit-oriented structure (SceneDelegate, AppDelegate, Coordinators)
- Create
HomeViewController+HomeViewModel - Set testing mode to enterprise in CLAUDE.md
References
references/structure-swiftui.md— SwiftUI folder structure + test targetsreferences/structure-uikit.md— UIKit folder structure + test targetsreferences/structure-mixed.md— Mixed SwiftUI + UIKit structure + Bridge/ rulesreferences/file-naming.md— file naming good/bad, group naming, "What Never Goes Where"references/gitignore-xcode.md— .gitignore for Xcode/Swift projectsreferences/spm-skeleton.md— Package.swift skeleton for extracting modules
Troubleshooting
Xcode targets not created: The skill generates source files and folder structure, but Xcode targets (Unit Test Target, UI Test Target) must be added manually in Xcode → File → New → Target.
Preview not working: Ensure @Observable is imported from Observation (iOS 17+). For older targets, use ObservableObject + @Published.