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App Intents drops into any Paperclip agent that handles this kind of work. Assign it to a specialist inside a pre-configured PaperclipOrg company and the skill becomes available on every heartbeat — no prompt engineering, no tool wiring.
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---name: app-intentsdescription: "Implement App Intents for Siri, Shortcuts, Spotlight, widgets, Control Center, and Apple Intelligence on iOS. Covers AppIntent actions, AppEntity and EntityQuery models, AppShortcutsProvider phrases, IndexedEntity Spotlight indexing, WidgetConfigurationIntent, SnippetIntent, and assistant schemas. Use when exposing app actions or entities to system surfaces."--- # App Intents (iOS 26+) Implement, review, and extend App Intents to expose app functionality to Siri,Shortcuts, Spotlight, widgets, Control Center, and Apple Intelligence. ## Contents - [Triage Workflow](#triage-workflow)- [AppIntent Protocol](#appintent-protocol)- [@Parameter](#parameter)- [AppEntity](#appentity)- [EntityQuery (4 Variants)](#entityquery-4-variants)- [AppEnum](#appenum)- [AppShortcutsProvider](#appshortcutsprovider)- [Siri Integration](#siri-integration)- [Interactive Widget Intents](#interactive-widget-intents)- [Control Center Widgets (iOS 18+)](#control-center-widgets-ios-18)- [Spotlight and IndexedEntity (iOS 18+)](#spotlight-and-indexedentity-ios-18)- [iOS 26 Additions](#ios-26-additions)- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)- [References](#references) ## Triage Workflow ### Step 1: Identify the integration surface Determine which system feature the intent targets: | Surface | Protocol | Since ||---|---|---|| Siri / Shortcuts | `AppIntent` | iOS 16 || Configurable widget | `WidgetConfigurationIntent` | iOS 17 || Control Center | `ControlConfigurationIntent` | iOS 18 || Spotlight search | `IndexedEntity` | iOS 18 || Apple Intelligence | `@AppIntent(schema:)` | iOS 18 || Interactive snippets | `SnippetIntent` | iOS 26 || Visual Intelligence | `IntentValueQuery` | iOS 26 | ### Step 2: Define the data model - Create `AppEntity` shadow models (do NOT conform core data models directly).- Create `AppEnum` types for fixed parameter choices.- Choose the right `EntityQuery` variant for resolution.- Mark searchable entities with `IndexedEntity` and `@Property(indexingKey:)`. ### Step 3: Implement the intent - Conform to `AppIntent` (or a specialized sub-protocol).- Declare `@Parameter` properties for all user-facing inputs.- Implement `perform() async throws -> some IntentResult`.- Add `parameterSummary` for Shortcuts UI.- Register phrases via `AppShortcutsProvider`. ### Step 4: Verify - Build and run in Shortcuts app to confirm parameter resolution.- Test Siri phrases with the intent preview in Xcode.- Confirm Spotlight results for `IndexedEntity` types.- Check widget configuration for `WidgetConfigurationIntent` intents. ## AppIntent Protocol The system instantiates the struct via `init()`, sets parameters, then calls`perform()`. Declare a `title` and `parameterSummary` for Shortcuts UI. ```swiftstruct OrderSoupIntent: AppIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Order Soup" static var description = IntentDescription("Place a soup order.") @Parameter(title: "Soup") var soup: SoupEntity @Parameter(title: "Quantity", default: 1) var quantity: Int static var parameterSummary: some ParameterSummary { Summary("Order \(\.$soup)") { \.$quantity } } func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult { try await OrderService.shared.place(soup: soup.id, quantity: quantity) return .result(dialog: "Ordered \(quantity) \(soup.name).") }}``` Optional members: `description` (`IntentDescription`), `openAppWhenRun` (`Bool`),`isDiscoverable` (`Bool`), `authenticationPolicy` (`IntentAuthenticationPolicy`). ## @Parameter Declare each user-facing input with `@Parameter`. Optional parameters are notrequired; non-optional parameters with a `default` are pre-filled. ```swift// WRONG: Non-optional parameter without default -- system cannot preview@Parameter(title: "Count")var count: Int // CORRECT: Provide a default or make optional@Parameter(title: "Count", default: 1)var count: Int @Parameter(title: "Count")var count: Int?``` ### Supported value types Primitives: `Int`, `Double`, `Bool`, `String`, `URL`, `Date`, `DateComponents`.Framework: `Currency`, `Person`, `IntentFile`. Measurements: `Measurement<UnitLength>`,`Measurement<UnitTemperature>`, and others. Custom: any `AppEntity` or `AppEnum`. ### Common initializer patterns ```swift// Basic@Parameter(title: "Name")var name: String // With default@Parameter(title: "Count", default: 5)var count: Int // Numeric slider@Parameter(title: "Volume", controlStyle: .slider, inclusiveRange: (0, 100))var volume: Int // Options provider (dynamic list)@Parameter(title: "Category", optionsProvider: CategoryOptionsProvider())var category: Category // File with content types@Parameter(title: "Document", supportedContentTypes: [.pdf, .plainText])var document: IntentFile // Measurement with unit@Parameter(title: "Distance", defaultUnit: .miles, supportsNegativeNumbers: false)var distance: Measurement<UnitLength>``` See [references/appintents-advanced.md](references/appintents-advanced.md) for all initializer variants. ## AppEntity Create shadow models that mirror app data -- never conform core data modeltypes directly. ```swiftstruct SoupEntity: AppEntity { static let defaultQuery = SoupEntityQuery() static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Soup" var id: String @Property(title: "Name") var name: String @Property(title: "Price") var price: Double var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { DisplayRepresentation(title: "\(name)", subtitle: "$\(String(format: "%.2f", price))") } init(from soup: Soup) { self.id = soup.id; self.name = soup.name; self.price = soup.price }}``` Required: `id`, `defaultQuery` (static), `displayRepresentation`,`typeDisplayRepresentation` (static). Mark properties with `@Property(title:)`to expose for filtering/sorting. Properties without `@Property` remain internal. ## EntityQuery (4 Variants) ### 1. EntityQuery (base -- resolve by ID) ```swiftstruct SoupEntityQuery: EntityQuery { func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } } func suggestedEntities() async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.featured.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } }}``` ### 2. EntityStringQuery (free-text search) ```swiftstruct SoupStringQuery: EntityStringQuery { func entities(matching string: String) async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.search(string).map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } } func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } }}``` ### 3. EnumerableEntityQuery (finite set) ```swiftstruct AllSoupsQuery: EnumerableEntityQuery { func allEntities() async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.allSoups.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } } func entities(for identifiers: [String]) async throws -> [SoupEntity] { SoupStore.shared.soups.filter { identifiers.contains($0.id) }.map { SoupEntity(from: $0) } }}``` ### 4. UniqueAppEntityQuery (singleton, iOS 18+) Use for single-instance entities like app settings. ```swiftstruct AppSettingsEntity: UniqueAppEntity { static let defaultQuery = AppSettingsQuery() static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Settings" var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { "App Settings" } var id: String { "app-settings" }} struct AppSettingsQuery: UniqueAppEntityQuery { func entity() async throws -> AppSettingsEntity { AppSettingsEntity() }}``` See [references/appintents-advanced.md](references/appintents-advanced.md) for `EntityPropertyQuery` withfilter/sort support. ## AppEnum Define fixed sets of selectable values. Must be backed by a`LosslessStringConvertible` raw value (use `String`). ```swiftenum SoupSize: String, AppEnum { case small, medium, large static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Size" static var caseDisplayRepresentations: [SoupSize: DisplayRepresentation] = [ .small: "Small", .medium: "Medium", .large: "Large" ]}``` ```swift// WRONG: Using Int raw valueenum Priority: Int, AppEnum { // Compiler error -- Int is not LosslessStringConvertible case low = 1, medium = 2, high = 3} // CORRECT: Use String raw valueenum Priority: String, AppEnum { case low, medium, high // ...}``` ## AppShortcutsProvider Register pre-built shortcuts that appear in Siri and the Shortcuts app withoutuser configuration. ```swiftstruct MyAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider { static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] { AppShortcut( intent: OrderSoupIntent(), phrases: [ "Order \(\.$soup) in \(.applicationName)", "Get soup from \(.applicationName)" ], shortTitle: "Order Soup", systemImageName: "cup.and.saucer" ) } static var shortcutTileColor: ShortcutTileColor = .navy}``` ### Phrase rules - Every phrase MUST include `\(.applicationName)`.- Phrases can reference parameters: `\(\.$soup)`.- Call `updateAppShortcutParameters()` when dynamic option values change.- Use `negativePhrases` to prevent false Siri activations. ## Siri Integration ### Donating intents Donate intents so the system learns user patterns and suggests them in Spotlight: ```swiftlet intent = OrderSoupIntent()intent.soup = favoriteSoupEntitytry await intent.donate()``` ### Predictable intents Conform to `PredictableIntent` for Siri prediction of upcoming actions. ## Interactive Widget Intents Use `AppIntent` with `Button`/`Toggle` in widgets. Use`WidgetConfigurationIntent` for configurable widget parameters. ```swiftstruct ToggleFavoriteIntent: AppIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Toggle Favorite" @Parameter(title: "Item ID") var itemID: String func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult { FavoriteStore.shared.toggle(itemID) return .result() }} // In widget view:Button(intent: ToggleFavoriteIntent(itemID: entry.id)) { Image(systemName: entry.isFavorite ? "heart.fill" : "heart")}``` ### WidgetConfigurationIntent ```swiftstruct BookWidgetConfig: WidgetConfigurationIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Favorite Book" @Parameter(title: "Book", default: "The Swift Programming Language") var bookTitle: String} // Connect to WidgetKit:struct MyWidget: Widget { var body: some WidgetConfiguration { AppIntentConfiguration(kind: "FavoriteBook", intent: BookWidgetConfig.self, provider: MyTimelineProvider()) { entry in BookWidgetView(entry: entry) } }}``` ## Control Center Widgets (iOS 18+) Expose controls in Control Center and Lock Screen with`ControlConfigurationIntent` and `ControlWidget`. ```swiftstruct LightControlConfig: ControlConfigurationIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Light Control" @Parameter(title: "Light", default: .livingRoom) var light: LightEntity} struct ToggleLightIntent: AppIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Toggle Light" @Parameter(title: "Light") var light: LightEntity func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult { try await LightService.shared.toggle(light.id) return .result() }} struct LightControl: ControlWidget { var body: some ControlWidgetConfiguration { AppIntentControlConfiguration(kind: "LightControl", intent: LightControlConfig.self) { config in ControlWidgetToggle(config.light.name, isOn: config.light.isOn, action: ToggleLightIntent(light: config.light)) } }}``` ## Spotlight and IndexedEntity (iOS 18+) Conform to `IndexedEntity` for Spotlight search. On iOS 26+, use `indexingKey`for structured metadata: ```swiftstruct RecipeEntity: IndexedEntity { static let defaultQuery = RecipeQuery() static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation = "Recipe" var id: String @Property(title: "Name", indexingKey: .title) var name: String // iOS 26+ @ComputedProperty(indexingKey: .description) // iOS 26+ var summary: String { "\(name) -- a delicious recipe" } var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { DisplayRepresentation(title: "\(name)") }}``` ## iOS 26 Additions ### SnippetIntent Display interactive snippets in system UI: ```swiftstruct OrderStatusSnippet: SnippetIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Order Status" func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ShowsSnippetView { let status = await OrderTracker.currentStatus() return .result(view: OrderStatusSnippetView(status: status)) } static func reload() { /* notify system to refresh */ }} // A calling intent can display this snippet via:// return .result(snippetIntent: OrderStatusSnippet())``` ### IntentValueQuery (Visual Intelligence) ```swiftstruct ProductValueQuery: IntentValueQuery { typealias Input = String typealias Result = ProductEntity func values(for input: String) async throws -> [ProductEntity] { ProductStore.shared.search(input).map { ProductEntity(from: $0) } }}``` ## Common Mistakes 1. **Conforming core data models to AppEntity.** Create dedicated shadow models instead. Core models carry persistence logic that conflicts with intent lifecycle. 2. **Missing `\(.applicationName)` in phrases.** Every `AppShortcut` phrase MUST include the application name token. Siri uses it for disambiguation. 3. **Non-optional @Parameter without default.** The system cannot preview or pre-fill such parameters. Make non-optional parameters have a `default`, or mark them optional. ```swift // WRONG @Parameter(title: "Count") var count: Int // CORRECT @Parameter(title: "Count", default: 1) var count: Int ``` 4. **Using Int raw value for AppEnum.** `AppEnum` requires `RawRepresentable` where `RawValue: LosslessStringConvertible`. Use `String`. 5. **Forgetting `suggestedEntities()`.** Without it, the Shortcuts picker shows no defaults.6. **Throwing for missing entities in `entities(for:)`.** Omit missing entities instead.7. **Stale Spotlight index.** Call `updateAppShortcutParameters()` when entity data changes.8. **Missing `typeDisplayRepresentation`.** Both `AppEntity` and `AppEnum` require it.9. **Using deprecated `@AssistantEntity(schema:)` / `@AssistantEnum(schema:)`.** Use `@AppEntity(schema:)` and `@AppEnum(schema:)` instead. Note: `@AssistantIntent(schema:)` is still active.10. **Blocking perform().** `perform()` is async -- use `await` for I/O. ## Review Checklist - [ ] Every `AppIntent` has a descriptive `title` (verb + noun, title case)- [ ] `@Parameter` types are optional or have defaults for system preview- [ ] `AppEntity` types are shadow models, not core data model conformances- [ ] `AppEntity` has `displayRepresentation` and `typeDisplayRepresentation`- [ ] `EntityQuery.entities(for:)` omits missing IDs; `suggestedEntities()` implemented- [ ] `AppEnum` uses `String` raw value with `caseDisplayRepresentations`- [ ] `AppShortcutsProvider` phrases include `\(.applicationName)`; `parameterSummary` defined- [ ] `IndexedEntity` properties use `@Property(indexingKey:)` on iOS 26+- [ ] Control Center intents conform to `ControlConfigurationIntent`; widget intents to `WidgetConfigurationIntent`- [ ] No deprecated `@AssistantEntity` / `@AssistantEnum` macros (note: `@AssistantIntent(schema:)` is still active)- [ ] `perform()` uses async/await (no blocking); runs in expected isolation context; intent types are `Sendable` ## References - See [references/appintents-advanced.md](references/appintents-advanced.md) for @Parameter variants, EntityPropertyQuery, assistant schemas, focus filters, SiriKit migration, error handling, confirmation flows, authentication, URL-representable types, and Spotlight indexing details.