Swift Patterns

This file extends the common patterns rule with Swift specific content.

Protocol-Oriented Design

Define small, focused protocols. Use protocol extensions for shared defaults:

swift

protocol Repository: Sendable {
    associatedtype Item: Identifiable & Sendable
    func find(by id: Item.ID) async throws -> Item?
    func save(_ item: Item) async throws
}

Value Types

Use structs for data transfer objects and models
Use enums with associated values to model distinct states:

swift

enum LoadState<T: Sendable>: Sendable {
    case idle
    case loading
    case loaded(T)
    case failed(Error)
}

Actor Pattern

Use actors for shared mutable state instead of locks or dispatch queues:

swift

actor Cache<Key: Hashable & Sendable, Value: Sendable> {
    private var storage: [Key: Value] = [:]

    func get(_ key: Key) -> Value? { storage[key] }
    func set(_ key: Key, value: Value) { storage[key] = value }
}

Dependency Injection

Inject protocols with default parameters -- production uses defaults, tests inject mocks:

swift

struct UserService {
    private let repository: any UserRepository

    init(repository: any UserRepository = DefaultUserRepository()) {
        self.repository = repository
    }
}

References

See skill: swift-actor-persistence for actor-based persistence patterns. See skill: swift-protocol-di-testing for protocol-based DI and testing.