Implement, review, or improve maps and location features in iOS/macOS apps using MapKit and CoreLocation. Use when working with Map views, annotations, markers, polylines, user location tracking, geocoding, reverse geocoding, search/autocomplete, directions and routes, geofencing, region monitoring, CLLocationUpdate async streams, or location authorization flows. Also use when working with maps, coordinates, addresses, places, directions, distance calculations, or location-based features in Swift apps.
npx skills add https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill mapkit
Build map-based and location-aware features targeting iOS 17+ with SwiftUI
MapKit and modern CoreLocation async APIs. Use Map with MapContentBuilder
for views, CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() for streaming location, and
CLMonitor for geofencing.
Read references/mapkit-patterns.md when you need full map setup, search,
routes, Look Around, snapshots, or iOS 26 place APIs. Read
references/mapkit-corelocation-patterns.md when the task involves
location update lifecycle, geofencing, background location, testing, or privacy keys.
MapKit.Map view with optional MapCameraPosition binding.Marker, Annotation, MapPolyline, MapPolygon, or MapCircleinside the MapContentBuilder closure.
.mapStyle()..mapControls { }.selection: binding.NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription to Info.plist.CLServiceSession to manage authorization.CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() in a Task.MKLocalSearchCompleter for autocomplete suggestions.MKLocalSearch.Request for full results.MKDirections.Request with source and destination MKMapItem.transportType (.automobile, .walking, .transit, .cycling).MKDirections.calculate().MapPolyline(route.polyline).Run through the Review Checklist at the end of this file.
import MapKit
import SwiftUI
struct PlaceMap: View {
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .automatic
var body: some View {
Map(position: $position) {
Marker("Apple Park", coordinate: applePark)
Marker("Infinite Loop", systemImage: "building.2",
coordinate: infiniteLoop)
}
.mapStyle(.standard(elevation: .realistic))
.mapControls {
MapUserLocationButton()
MapCompass()
MapScaleView()
}
}
}
// Balloon marker -- simplest way to pin a location
Marker("Cafe", systemImage: "cup.and.saucer.fill", coordinate: cafeCoord)
.tint(.brown)
// Annotation -- custom SwiftUI view at a coordinate
Annotation("You", coordinate: userCoord, anchor: .bottom) {
Image(systemName: "figure.wave")
.padding(6)
.background(.blue.gradient, in: .circle)
.foregroundStyle(.white)
}
Map {
// Polyline from coordinates
MapPolyline(coordinates: routeCoords)
.stroke(.blue, lineWidth: 4)
// Polygon (area highlight)
MapPolygon(coordinates: parkBoundary)
.foregroundStyle(.green.opacity(0.3))
.stroke(.green, lineWidth: 2)
// Circle (radius around a point)
MapCircle(center: storeCoord, radius: 500)
.foregroundStyle(.red.opacity(0.15))
.stroke(.red, lineWidth: 1)
}
MapCameraPosition controls what the map displays. Bind it to let the user
interact and to programmatically move the camera.
// Center on a region
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .region(
MKCoordinateRegion(
center: CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 37.334, longitude: -122.009),
span: MKCoordinateSpan(latitudeDelta: 0.05, longitudeDelta: 0.05)
)
)
// Follow user location
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .userLocation(fallback: .automatic)
// Specific camera angle (3D perspective)
@State private var position: MapCameraPosition = .camera(
MapCamera(centerCoordinate: applePark, distance: 1000, heading: 90, pitch: 60)
)
// Frame specific items
position = .item(MKMapItem.forCurrentLocation())
position = .rect(MKMapRect(...))
Default to .standard; select .imagery or .hybrid, realistic elevation,
traffic, and point-of-interest filtering only when the feature requires them.
See Complete Map View Setup.
Keep .all for an interactive map. Restrict modes only for intentional gesture
coordination; use [] for a static embedded map. See
Map in a List or ScrollView.
@State private var selectedMarker: MKMapItem?
Map(selection: $selectedMarker) {
ForEach(places) { place in
Marker(place.name, coordinate: place.coordinate)
.tag(place.mapItem) // Tag must match selection type
}
}
.onChange(of: selectedMarker) { _, newValue in
guard let item = newValue else { return }
// React to selection
}
Replace CLLocationManagerDelegate callbacks with a single async sequence.
Each iteration yields a CLLocationUpdate containing an optional CLLocation.
On iOS 18+, handle diagnostic states such as denied authorization, globally
disabled Location Services, unavailable location, and insufficient in-use
conditions with a visible degraded path instead of silently waiting forever.
Store the task so the feature can cancel it, and reject invalid, inaccurate,
stale, or unusable movement data before driving map UI or background work.
import CoreLocation
@MainActor
@Observable
final class LocationTracker {
var currentLocation: CLLocation?
private var updateTask: Task<Void, Never>?
func startTracking() {
updateTask = Task {
do {
let updates = CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates()
for try await update in updates {
guard let location = update.location else { continue }
// Filter by horizontal accuracy
guard location.horizontalAccuracy >= 0,
location.horizontalAccuracy < 50 else { continue }
currentLocation = location
}
} catch is CancellationError {
// Expected when tracking stops.
} catch {
currentLocation = nil
}
}
}
func stopTracking() {
updateTask?.cancel()
updateTask = nil
}
}
Declare authorization requirements for a feature's lifetime. Hold a reference
to the session for as long as you need location services.
// When-in-use authorization with full accuracy preference
let session = CLServiceSession(
authorization: .whenInUse,
fullAccuracyPurposeKey: "NearbySearchPurpose"
)
// Hold `session` as a stored property; release it when done.
On iOS 18+, CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() and CLMonitor take an implicit
CLServiceSession if you do not create one explicitly. Create one explicitly
when you need .always authorization or full accuracy.
// Info.plist keys (required):
// NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription
// NSLocationAlwaysAndWhenInUseUsageDescription (only if .always needed)
// Check authorization and guide user to Settings when denied
struct LocationPermissionView: View {
@Environment(\.openURL) private var openURL
var body: some View {
ContentUnavailableView {
Label("Location Access Denied", systemImage: "location.slash")
} description: {
Text("Enable location access in Settings to use this feature.")
} actions: {
Button("Open Settings") {
if let url = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {
openURL(url)
}
}
}
}
}
let geocoder = CLGeocoder()
// Forward geocoding: address string -> coordinates
let placemarks = try await geocoder.geocodeAddressString("1 Apple Park Way, Cupertino")
if let location = placemarks.first?.location {
print(location.coordinate) // CLLocationCoordinate2D
}
// Reverse geocoding: coordinates -> placemark
let location = CLLocation(latitude: 37.3349, longitude: -122.0090)
let placemarks = try await geocoder.reverseGeocodeLocation(location)
if let placemark = placemarks.first {
let address = [placemark.name, placemark.locality, placemark.administrativeArea]
.compactMap { $0 }
.joined(separator: ", ")
}
New MapKit-native geocoding that returns MKMapItem with richer data and
MKAddress / MKAddressRepresentations for flexible address formatting.
@available(iOS 26, *)
func reverseGeocode(location: CLLocation) async throws -> MKMapItem? {
guard let request = MKReverseGeocodingRequest(location: location) else {
return nil
}
let mapItems = try await request.mapItems
return mapItems.first
}
@available(iOS 26, *)
func forwardGeocode(address: String) async throws -> [MKMapItem] {
guard let request = MKGeocodingRequest(addressString: address) else { return [] }
return try await request.mapItems
}
@Observable
final class SearchCompleter: NSObject, MKLocalSearchCompleterDelegate {
var results: [MKLocalSearchCompletion] = []
var query: String = "" { didSet { completer.queryFragment = query } }
private let completer = MKLocalSearchCompleter()
override init() {
super.init()
completer.delegate = self
completer.resultTypes = [.address, .pointOfInterest]
}
func completerDidUpdateResults(_ completer: MKLocalSearchCompleter) {
results = completer.results
}
func completer(_ completer: MKLocalSearchCompleter, didFailWithError error: Error) {
results = []
}
}
func search(for completion: MKLocalSearchCompletion) async throws -> [MKMapItem] {
let request = MKLocalSearch.Request(completion: completion)
request.resultTypes = [.pointOfInterest, .address]
let search = MKLocalSearch(request: request)
let response = try await search.start()
return response.mapItems
}
// Search by natural language query within a region
func searchNearby(query: String, region: MKCoordinateRegion) async throws -> [MKMapItem] {
let request = MKLocalSearch.Request()
request.naturalLanguageQuery = query
request.region = region
let search = MKLocalSearch(request: request)
let response = try await search.start()
return response.mapItems
}
func getDirections(from source: MKMapItem, to destination: MKMapItem,
transport: MKDirectionsTransportType = .automobile) async throws -> MKRoute? {
let request = MKDirections.Request()
request.source = source
request.destination = destination
request.transportType = transport
let directions = MKDirections(request: request)
let response = try await directions.calculate()
return response.routes.first
}
@State private var route: MKRoute?
Map {
if let route {
MapPolyline(route.polyline)
.stroke(.blue, lineWidth: 5)
}
Marker("Start", coordinate: startCoord)
Marker("End", coordinate: endCoord)
}
.task {
route = try? await getDirections(from: startItem, to: endItem)
}
func getETA(from source: MKMapItem, to destination: MKMapItem) async throws -> TimeInterval {
let request = MKDirections.Request()
request.source = source
request.destination = destination
let directions = MKDirections(request: request)
let response = try await directions.calculateETA()
return response.expectedTravelTime
}
Use .cycling as the request transport type; see the complete
cycling route example.
Create rich place references from coordinates or addresses without needing a
Place ID. Requires import GeoToolbox.
import GeoToolbox
@available(iOS 26, *)
func lookupPlace(name: String, coordinate: CLLocationCoordinate2D) async throws -> MKMapItem {
let descriptor = PlaceDescriptor(
representations: [.coordinate(coordinate)],
commonName: name
)
let request = MKMapItemRequest(placeDescriptor: descriptor)
return try await request.mapItem
}
DON'T: Request always authorization upfront.
DO: Start with when-in-use authorization. On iOS 18+, hold a CLServiceSession
for the feature lifetime; request .always only for background features that
need system relaunch after termination.
DON'T: Use CLLocationManagerDelegate for simple location fetches on iOS 17+.
DO: Use CLLocationUpdate.liveUpdates() async stream for cleaner, more concise code.
DON'T: Ignore CLLocationUpdate diagnostics such as denied, globally denied, or unavailable location.
DO: Stop or degrade the feature, show recovery UI such as Settings guidance, and keep search/manual flows usable.
DON'T: Let liveUpdates() run from an unowned task after the map/view is gone.
DO: Store the Task, cancel it when the feature stops, and filter invalid, inaccurate, stale, or impossible movement fixes.
DON'T: Force-unwrap CLPlacemark properties — they are all optional.
DO: Use nil-coalescing: placemark.locality ?? "Unknown".
DON'T: Fire MKLocalSearchCompleter queries on every keystroke.
DO: Debounce with .task(id: searchText) + Task.sleep(for: .milliseconds(300)).
DON'T: Silently fail when location authorization is denied.
DO: Detect .denied status and show an alert with a Settings deep link.
DON'T: Assume geocoding always succeeds — handle empty results and network errors.
NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription with specific reasonCLLocationUpdate task cancelled when not needed (battery)Identifiable data with stable IDsCLMonitor limited to 20 conditions, instance kept aliveCLBackgroundActivitySession@MainActor-isolatedAssess Kubernetes workloads and cluster configuration for AKS Automatic compatibility. Identifies incompatibilities, generates fixes, and guides migration from AKS Standard to AKS Automatic. WHEN: migrate to AKS Automatic, check AKS Automatic readiness, validate manifests for Automatic, assess cluster for Automatic compatibility, fix deployment for Automatic compatibility, identify AKS Automatic migration blockers, is my cluster ready for AKS Automatic.
Discovers available Azure OpenAI model capacity across regions and projects. Analyzes quota limits, compares availability, and recommends optimal deployment locations based on capacity requirements. USE FOR: find capacity, check quota, where can I deploy, capacity discovery, best region for capacity, multi-project capacity search, quota analysis, model availability, region comparison, check TPM availability. DO NOT USE FOR: actual deployment (hand off to preset or customize after discovery), quota increase requests (direct user to Azure Portal), listing existing deployments.
Interactive guided deployment flow for Azure OpenAI models with full customization control. Step-by-step selection of model version, SKU (GlobalStandard/Standard/ProvisionedManaged), capacity, RAI policy (content filter), and advanced options (dynamic quota, priority processing, spillover). USE FOR: custom deployment, customize model deployment, choose version, select SKU, set capacity, configure content filter, RAI policy, deployment options, detailed deployment, advanced deployment, PTU deployment, provisioned throughput. DO NOT USE FOR: quick deployment to optimal region (use preset).
Unified Azure OpenAI model deployment skill with intelligent intent-based routing. Handles quick preset deployments, fully customized deployments (version/SKU/capacity/RAI policy), and capacity discovery across regions and projects. USE FOR: deploy model, deploy gpt, create deployment, model deployment, deploy openai model, set up model, provision model, find capacity, check model availability, where can I deploy, best region for model, capacity analysis. DO NOT USE FOR: listing existing deployments (use foundry_models_deployments_list MCP tool), deleting deployments, agent creation (use agent/create), project creation (use project/create).
Intelligently deploys Azure OpenAI models to optimal regions by analyzing capacity across all available regions. Automatically checks current region first and shows alternatives if needed. USE FOR: quick deployment, optimal region, best region, automatic region selection, fast setup, multi-region capacity check, high availability deployment, deploy to best location. DO NOT USE FOR: custom SKU selection (use customize), specific version selection (use customize), custom capacity configuration (use customize), PTU deployments (use customize).
This skill should be used when working with LaminDB, an open-source data framework for biology that makes data queryable, traceable, reproducible, and FAIR. Use when managing biological datasets (scRNA-seq, spatial, flow cytometry, etc.), tracking computational workflows, curating and validating data with biological ontologies, building data lakehouses, or ensuring data lineage and reproducibility in biological research. Covers data management, annotation, ontologies (genes, cell types, diseases, tissues), schema validation, integrations with workflow managers (Nextflow, Snakemake) and MLOps platforms (W&B, MLflow), and deployment strategies.
Latch platform for bioinformatics workflows. Build pipelines with Latch SDK, @workflow/@task decorators, deploy serverless workflows, LatchFile/LatchDir, Nextflow/Snakemake integration.
Run Python code in the cloud with serverless containers, GPUs, and autoscaling. Use when deploying ML models, running batch processing jobs, scheduling compute-intensive tasks, or serving APIs that require GPU acceleration or dynamic scaling.
Take dpearson2699/mapkit from the repository into ~/.claude/skills for personal
use, or into .claude/skills inside a project.
The agent identifies a skill by the name field in its header. Two skills with the
same name cannot sit side by side — one of them will be ignored.