Can I use this skill for App Shortcuts?

No, this skill focuses on search indexing and activities. For App Shortcuts implementation, you should refer to the app-shortcuts-ref skill.

What is the difference between Core Spotlight and NSUserActivity?

Core Spotlight is used for bulk indexing of all app content to make it searchable, while NSUserActivity tracks the specific screen or task a user is currently viewing to enable Handoff and Siri predictions.

What is the recommended batch size for indexing items?

For optimal performance, it is recommended to batch index between 100-500 items per call to CSSearchableIndex.

How do I ensure my indexed items appear in Siri predictions?

You must set the isEligibleForPrediction property to true on your NSUserActivity and maintain a strong reference to the activity while the user is engaged with it.

Does this skill support SwiftUI?

Yes, the reference includes implementation patterns for both SwiftUI (.onAppear) and UIKit lifecycle methods.

Core Spotlight & NSUserActivity Reference

Name: Core Spotlight & NSUserActivity Reference
Author: CharlesWiltgen

byCharlesWiltgen

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233

Mobile Development

Implements search indexing, Siri predictions, and Handoff capabilities for xOS apps using Core Spotlight and NSUserActivity frameworks.

About

This skill provides a comprehensive guide for Apple's search and discovery frameworks, enabling developers to make app content searchable in Spotlight and support system features like Handoff and Siri suggestions. It offers detailed implementation patterns for indexing persistent items with CSSearchableItem, managing rich metadata with CSSearchableItemAttributeSet, and tracking active user sessions with NSUserActivity. By following the provided best practices for batch indexing and App Intents integration, developers can significantly improve their app's visibility and engagement across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Key Features

Comprehensive indexing of app content via Core Spotlight (CSSearchableItem)
233 GitHub stars
Rich metadata management using CSSearchableItemAttributeSet for documents, messages, and locations
Performance-optimized batch indexing and deletion patterns
Integration with App Intents and IndexedEntity for enhanced Siri/Shortcuts visibility
NSUserActivity implementation for Handoff and Siri Suggestions

Use Cases

Making a productivity app's documents and notes searchable directly via the system Spotlight search
Implementing Handoff to allow users to seamlessly transition tasks between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Enabling Siri to predict and suggest app actions based on frequent user activities

About

Key Features

Comprehensive indexing of app content via Core Spotlight (CSSearchableItem)
233 GitHub stars
Rich metadata management using CSSearchableItemAttributeSet for documents, messages, and locations
Performance-optimized batch indexing and deletion patterns
Integration with App Intents and IndexedEntity for enhanced Siri/Shortcuts visibility
NSUserActivity implementation for Handoff and Siri Suggestions

Use Cases

Making a productivity app's documents and notes searchable directly via the system Spotlight search
Implementing Handoff to allow users to seamlessly transition tasks between iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Enabling Siri to predict and suggest app actions based on frequent user activities