Apple Intelligence & Integration
Skills for integrating your app with Apple's system-level experiences: Siri, Apple Intelligence, Shortcuts, Spotlight, and more.
Available Skills
Foundation Models
On-device AI with Apple's Foundation Models framework (iOS 26+):
- LanguageModelSession — Text generation and conversations
- @Generable — Structured output with Swift types
- Streaming — Progressive response display
- Tool calling — Extend model capabilities
When to use Implementing on-device AI features, structured output, preventing context overflow
Requirements iOS 26+, A17+ or M-series chip
Background Processing
BGTaskScheduler implementation and debugging:
- BGAppRefreshTask — Keep content fresh (~30s)
- BGProcessingTask — Maintenance work (overnight, charging)
- BGContinuedProcessingTask — User-initiated continuation (iOS 26+)
- Debugging — "Task never runs" decision trees, LLDB commands
When to use Implementing background tasks, debugging execution issues, understanding scheduling factors
Requirements iOS 13+, iOS 26+ for BGContinuedProcessingTask
Networking
Network.framework patterns for custom protocols:
- NWConnection — iOS 12-25 completion-based API
- NetworkConnection — iOS 26+ async/await API
- TLV Framing — Message boundaries
- Service Discovery — Bonjour and Wi-Fi Aware
When to use UDP/TCP connections, peer-to-peer, custom protocols (NOT HTTP — use URLSession)
Requirements iOS 12+
Core Location
Implementation patterns for location services:
- Authorization Strategy — When In Use vs Always, progressive upgrade
- Monitoring Approach — CLLocationUpdate, CLMonitor, significant-change
- Background Location — CLBackgroundActivitySession, relaunch recovery
- Geofencing — 20-condition limit, radius requirements
When to use Implementing location features, choosing authorization strategy, debugging background location, geofencing
Requirements iOS 14+ (iOS 17+ for modern APIs)
App Intents Integration
Comprehensive guide to the App Intents framework for exposing app functionality to:
- Siri & Apple Intelligence — Voice commands and intelligent automation
- Shortcuts — User-created workflows and automations
- Spotlight — System-wide search integration
- Focus Filters — Context-aware content filtering
- Widgets & Live Activities — Dynamic system UI
Key Features
- Three building blocks: AppIntent, AppEntity, AppEnum
- Parameter validation and natural language summaries
- Entity queries for content discovery
- Background vs foreground execution patterns
- Authentication policies and security
- WWDC 2025 updates: IndexedEntity, Apple Intelligence integration, Mac Automations
When to use Exposing app functionality to system experiences, implementing Shortcuts support, debugging intent resolution failures
Requirements iOS 16+
Apple Documentation Access
Direct access to Apple's official for-LLM markdown documentation bundled in Xcode:
- 20 Guide Topics -- Liquid Glass, Foundation Models, Swift Charts 3D, SwiftData, concurrency
- 32 Compiler Diagnostics -- Swift compiler errors with official explanations and code fixes
- MCP Integration -- Auto-detected from Xcode, stays current with updates
When to use Authoritative API details, Swift compiler error explanations, official code examples
Requirements Xcode installed locally
Integration Categories
System Services
- Siri & Voice Control — Natural language command handling
- Apple Intelligence — AI-powered automation and reasoning
- Shortcuts — Custom workflow creation
- Spotlight — System-wide search
- Background Processing — BGTaskScheduler, background URLSession
Context & Personalization
- Focus Filters — Context-aware content filtering
- Live Activities — Dynamic Lock Screen updates
- Widgets — Home/Lock Screen content
Platform-Specific
- Action Button — Apple Watch Ultra quick actions
- Mac Automations — Automated workflows on macOS
- Spotlight on Mac — Desktop search integration
Getting Started
- Define your app's capabilities — What actions should users be able to perform?
- Choose building blocks — AppIntent for actions, AppEntity for content
- Implement intents — Create AppIntent conforming types
- Test with Shortcuts — Verify intent appears and executes correctly
- Add to Siri — Test voice command handling
- Integrate with Apple Intelligence — Enable AI-powered automation