How to vibe codeMacPaw

Prerequisites

• Mac

  Required to build and run native macOS applications

• Xcodefree

  Official IDE and toolchain for Swift and SwiftUI development

• Node.jsfree

  Required for running auxiliary web-based management backend and tooling

• GitHubfree

  Source code repository and version control

AI coding tools

• Claude Code

  Best-in-class terminal agent for scaffolding complex file structures, writing Swift scripts, and debugging system APIs

• Cursor

  Ideal for fine-tuning SwiftUI views, adjusting UI polish, and reviewing code diffs manually

Build guide

1. 01Scaffold Native macOS Utility App

   Initialize a new native macOS project in Swift and SwiftUI using Xcode, setting up the basic navigation sidebar, window styling, and local SQLite caching layer.

   Create a new macOS desktop application project structure using Swift and SwiftUI with a modern sidebar navigation layout. Implement a local SQLite database wrapper using SQLite.swift to store scan history and app settings locally in Application Support. Set up standard macOS window chrome, dark mode support, and clean typography matching standard Apple HIG guidelines. Ensure the app targets macOS 15+ and includes proper error handling for file system access permissions.

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2. 02Build Safe Disk Scanner & Junk Finder Engine

   Develop a recursive file scanner in Swift targeting safe user caches, logs, and temporary directories without risking system integrity files.

   Implement a high-performance recursive directory scanner in Swift using FileManager. Traverse standard user cache paths (~/Library/Caches, ~/Library/Logs, ~/Downloads) safely. Write filtering logic to identify safe-to-delete junk files, calculate total folder sizes asynchronously using Grand Central Dispatch or Swift concurrency (async/await), and present the results in a categorized SwiftUI list with checkboxes for user selection and safe deletion.

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3. 03Build Duplicate File Finder (Gemini 2 Core)

   Implement a fast cryptographic file-hashing and similarity detection algorithm to find and purge duplicate files across selected directories.

   Build a duplicate file finder engine in Swift. First, group files by exact byte size to eliminate non-duplicates quickly. For files matching in size, compute partial cryptographic hashes (SHA-256) of the file headers, followed by full hashes if headers match. Expose a SwiftUI view allowing users to drop a folder, view grouped duplicate files with previews, and select redundant copies for deletion while retaining at least one original.

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4. 04Build App Uninstaller & Leftover Tracker

   Create a module that lists installed applications and scans associated preference files, support folders, and application support caches.

   Create a macOS application uninstaller module in Swift. Scan /Applications and ~/Applications for installed .app bundles. When an application is selected, parse its bundle identifier and search /Library/Preferences, ~/Library/Preferences, ~/Library/Application Support, and ~/Library/Caches for corresponding leftover files and plist entries. Display these associated files in a breakdown list before executing a clean uninstall.

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5. 05Build Encrypted File Utility (Encrypto Core)

   Implement AES-256 file encryption and decryption using Apple's CryptoKit framework for secure cross-utility file sharing.

   Implement a secure file encryption utility in Swift using CryptoKit (AES.GCM with password-based key derivation via PBKDF2). Build a simple drag-and-drop SwiftUI interface where users can drop any file, enter a password, and output an encrypted archive file with a custom extension. Implement the corresponding decryption routine to restore the original file when the correct password is provided.

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6. 06UI Polish & Final Integration

   Refine the overall user experience with smooth animations, scan progress indicators, and comprehensive error handling for disk permissions.

   Polish the SwiftUI user interface across all modules (System Junk, Duplicate Finder, Uninstaller, Encrypto). Add smooth progress bars, haptic-like feedback animations, summary metrics dashboards showing total space reclaimed, and clear instructions prompting users to grant Full Disk Access permissions in macOS System Settings when directory reads fail due to sandbox restrictions.

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Cost vs paying for MacPaw