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.

When to Use

• When the user needs a SwiftPM-based macOS app without relying on an Xcode project.
• When you need packaging, signing, notarization, or appcast guidance for a SwiftPM app.

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.

Minimum End-to-End Example

Shortest path from bootstrap to a running app:

# 1. Copy and rename the skeleton
cp -R assets/templates/bootstrap/ ~/Projects/MyApp
cd ~/Projects/MyApp
sed -i '' 's/MyApp/HelloApp/g' Package.swift version.env

# 2. Copy scripts
cp assets/templates/package_app.sh Scripts/
cp assets/templates/compile_and_run.sh Scripts/
chmod +x Scripts/*.sh

# 3. Build and launch
swift build
Scripts/compile_and_run.sh

Validation Checkpoints

Run these after key steps to catch failures early before proceeding to the next stage.

After packaging (Scripts/package_app.sh):

# Confirm .app bundle structure is intact
ls -R build/HelloApp.app/Contents

# Check that the binary is present and executable
file build/HelloApp.app/Contents/MacOS/HelloApp

After signing (Scripts/sign-and-notarize.sh or ad-hoc dev signing):

# Inspect signature and entitlements
codesign -dv --verbose=4 build/HelloApp.app

# Verify the bundle passes Gatekeeper checks locally
spctl --assess --type execute --verbose build/HelloApp.app

After notarization and stapling:

# Confirm the staple ticket is attached
stapler validate build/HelloApp.app

# Re-run Gatekeeper to confirm notarization is recognised
spctl --assess --type execute --verbose build/HelloApp.app

Common Notarization Failures

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.