App Clips
Plan and ship a focused iOS App Clip (≤15MB) so users try your product from App Store search, links, or NFC without installing the full app.
Overview
App Clips is an agent skill for the Launch phase that helps solo builders plan, implement, and optimize lightweight iOS App Clips for instant discovery and conversion without a full install.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/eronred/aso-skills --skill app-clipsWhat is this skill?
- Maps 15MB thinned binary limit and what must stay out of the clip target
- Catalogs entry surfaces: App Store search, Safari URLs, Messages, Maps, Nearby NFC/QR, Siri
- Use-case matrix by app type (parking, food order, rental, gym trial, etc.)
- Points to aso-audit for general discoverability and ua-campaign for paid UA
- Implementation and optimization guidance for App Clip cards and codes
- 15MB max thinned App Clip binary
- Entry surfaces table covering App Store search, Safari, Messages, Maps, Nearby, and Siri
Adoption & trust: 1k installs on skills.sh; 1.5k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You have a full iOS app but lose users who will not download yet, and you need a compliant instant experience that still shows up in App Store search and physical touchpoints.
Who is it for?
Indie iOS devs shipping a single high-intent flow (pay, book, scan, order) as an App Clip with NFC/QR or web-to-clip paths.
Skip if: Android Instant Apps, non-mobile products, or a full App Store metadata audit without clip implementation—use aso-audit instead.
When should I use this skill?
User wants to implement, optimize, or use App Clips; mentions App Clip, app clip code, mini app, instant app, App Clip card/link, or no download required.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You leave with a scoped App Clip plan, surface map, and optimization notes aligned to the 15MB limit—then extend broader listing work via aso-audit or campaigns via ua-campaign when needed.
- App Clip scope and use-case mapping
- Entry-point and linking strategy
- Optimization checklist for discovery surfaces
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
App Clips are an App Store and on-device discovery surface—canonical home is Launch → ASO alongside full-app listing work. Subphase ASO covers store-facing instant experiences, Smart App Banners, and clip metadata that affect discovery and conversion.
How it compares
ASO-focused clip playbook for instant iOS experiences, not a generic mobile backend or full UA campaign skill.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is app-clips for?
Solo and indie builders with an iOS app who want App Store and link-based instant trials without forcing a full download first.
When should I use app-clips?
Use during Launch → ASO when implementing App Clip codes, mini flows, Smart App Banners, or explaining how clips appear in App Store search; pair with validate scoping before you commit engineering to a 15MB target.
Is app-clips safe to install?
It is documentation-style guidance with no mandated shell or network access; review the Security Audits panel on this Prism page before trusting any third-party skill source.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - App Clips
# App Clips You help plan, implement, and optimize App Clips — lightweight iOS experiences (max 15MB) that users can launch instantly without installing the full app. ## What App Clips Are App Clips are small, focused pieces of your app that users can use without downloading the full app. They appear in: - **App Store search results** — alongside your full app - **Smart App Banners** on websites - **QR codes** and App Clip codes (physical NFC/QR) - **Safari** — when visiting a linked URL - **Messages** — when a URL is shared in iMessages - **Maps** — for location-based businesses - **Nearby** — NFC and visual codes in the physical world - **Siri suggestions** ## Size Limit | Target | Limit | |--------|-------| | App Clip binary | **15MB** max (thinned, downloaded on demand) | | App itself | No change | This forces you to ship only the essential experience. ## Best Use Cases | App Type | App Clip Experience | |----------|-------------------| | Parking/transit | Pay for parking or buy a ticket | | Restaurant | View menu, order, or pay | | Retail | Product preview or loyalty card | | Fitness | Try a single workout | | Games | Play a demo level | | Finance | Calculator or quick quote | | Events | Ticket purchase or check-in | | Utilities | Use core feature once | **The key question:** What is the minimum experience that demonstrates your app's core value? ## App Clip Discovery in the App Store App Clips appear in **App Store search** as a separate card below your full app result — labeled "App Clip" with an "Open" button (not "Get"). - Users who tap "Open" launch the App Clip instantly - After using it, they see a banner: "Get the full app" - Conversion from App Clip user → full install is typically **3–5× higher** than cold organic traffic **ASO implication:** The App Clip card inherits your app's title and description metadata. Optimizing your main listing improves App Clip discoverability too. ## Technical Requirements ### What to include in the App Clip - Only the core experience - Apple Pay or Sign in with Apple for authentication (no full account creation) - No App Clip–only content — everything in the clip should also be in the full app - Request only essential permissions (no push notifications in App Clips) ### URL scheme Each App Clip is triggered by a URL: ``` https://yourdomain.com/clip/[experience] ``` Configure in App Store Connect → Your App → App Clip Experiences. ### Handoff to Full App Always include a clear upgrade prompt: ```swift // Show SKOverlay after the user gets value from the clip let config = SKOverlay.AppClipConfiguration(position: .bottom) let overlay = SKOverlay(configuration: config) overlay.present(in: windowScene) ``` Show the overlay **after** the user has experienced value — not immediately. ## App Clip Experiences You can configure multiple App Clip experiences (one per URL pattern): | Experience | URL | Use Case | |-----------|-----|---------| | Default | `yourdomain.com` | General / App Store search | | Location | `yourdomain.com/location/123` | Maps, NFC at specific location | | Campaign | `yourdomain.com/promo/summer` | Marketing campaign | | Feature | `yourdomain.com/feature/x` | Specific feature demo | Each experience can have its own: - Title (max 18 chars) - Subtitle (max 13 chars) - Header image (3000×2000px) - Action button text ## App Clip Card Design The card is shown before the App Clip launches: | Field | Limit | Tips | |-------|-------|------| | Title | 18 chars | Clear acti