AppKit, Mac Catalyst, and framework choice
Framework choice is a product and maintenance decision. Promised code reuse matters only when the resulting Mac interaction, accessibility, performance, and ownership remain sound.
Design the capability
- SwiftUI fits shared declarative interfaces and modern scene composition.
- AppKit fits deep Mac controls, text systems, window behavior, and mature imperative integrations.
- Mac Catalyst can carry an iPad app to Mac while adding menus, windows, pointer behavior, and platform adaptation.
- Mix at narrow adapter seams. Keep domain and application code independent of all three UI choices.
Validation boundary
No AppKit or Catalyst target was built, profiled, or accessibility tested.
Series navigation
- Previous: Part 89: macOS with SwiftUI
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