networking-layer
Generates a protocol-based networking layer with async/await, error handling, and swappable implementations. Use when user wants to add API client, networking, or HTTP layer.
Best use case
networking-layer is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Generates a protocol-based networking layer with async/await, error handling, and swappable implementations. Use when user wants to add API client, networking, or HTTP layer.
Teams using networking-layer should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/networking-layer/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How networking-layer Compares
| Feature / Agent | networking-layer | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Generates a protocol-based networking layer with async/await, error handling, and swappable implementations. Use when user wants to add API client, networking, or HTTP layer.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Networking Layer Generator
Generate a modern, protocol-based networking layer using Swift's async/await concurrency, with proper error handling and easy testability.
## When This Skill Activates
Use this skill when the user:
- Asks to "add networking" or "create API client"
- Mentions "HTTP layer" or "REST API"
- Wants to "fetch data from API"
- Asks about "URLSession wrapper" or "network requests"
## Pre-Generation Checks
### 1. Project Context Detection
- [ ] Check Swift version (async/await requires Swift 5.5+)
- [ ] Check deployment target (async/await requires iOS 15+ / macOS 12+)
- [ ] Search for existing networking implementations
- [ ] Identify source file locations
### 2. Conflict Detection
Search for existing networking:
```
Glob: **/*API*.swift, **/*Network*.swift, **/*Client*.swift
Grep: "URLSession" or "HTTPURLResponse"
```
If found, ask user:
- Replace existing implementation?
- Extend with new endpoints?
## Configuration Questions
Ask user via AskUserQuestion:
1. **Authentication type?**
- Bearer token
- API key (header or query param)
- None
- Custom
2. **Base URL configuration?**
- Single environment
- Multiple environments (dev/staging/prod)
3. **Additional features?**
- Retry logic with exponential backoff
- Request/response logging
- Caching
## Generation Process
### Step 1: Create Core Files
Generate these files:
1. `APIClient.swift` - Protocol and implementation
2. `APIEndpoint.swift` - Endpoint definition protocol
3. `NetworkError.swift` - Typed errors
4. `APIConfiguration.swift` - Base URL and auth config
### Step 2: Optional Files
Based on configuration:
- `RetryPolicy.swift` - If retry logic selected
- `NetworkLogger.swift` - If logging selected
### Step 3: Determine File Location
Check project structure:
- If `Sources/` exists → `Sources/Networking/`
- If `App/` exists → `App/Networking/`
- Otherwise → `Networking/`
## Swift 6.2 Concurrency Notes
Reference: Apple's Swift Concurrency Updates
### @concurrent for Background Work
Use `@concurrent` to offload heavy processing:
```swift
@concurrent
static func parseResponse<T: Decodable>(_ data: Data) async throws -> T {
try JSONDecoder().decode(T.self, from: data)
}
```
### MainActor for UI Updates
Keep UI-related code on MainActor:
```swift
@Observable
@MainActor
final class NetworkViewModel {
var items: [Item] = []
func fetch() async {
items = try await apiClient.fetch(ItemsEndpoint())
}
}
```
## Output Format
After generation, provide:
### Files Created
```
Sources/Networking/
├── APIClient.swift # Protocol + URLSession implementation
├── APIEndpoint.swift # Endpoint protocol
├── NetworkError.swift # Error types
├── APIConfiguration.swift # Config (base URL, auth)
└── Endpoints/ # Example endpoints
└── ExampleEndpoint.swift
```
### Integration Steps
**Define an Endpoint:**
```swift
struct UsersEndpoint: APIEndpoint {
typealias Response = [User]
var path: String { "/users" }
var method: HTTPMethod { .get }
}
```
**Make a Request:**
```swift
let client = URLSessionAPIClient(configuration: .production)
let users = try await client.request(UsersEndpoint())
```
**With SwiftUI:**
```swift
struct UsersView: View {
@State private var users: [User] = []
@Environment(\.apiClient) private var apiClient
var body: some View {
List(users) { user in
Text(user.name)
}
.task {
users = try await apiClient.request(UsersEndpoint())
}
}
}
```
### Testing
Use `MockAPIClient` for tests:
```swift
let mockClient = MockAPIClient()
mockClient.mockResponse(for: UsersEndpoint.self, response: [User.mock])
let viewModel = UsersViewModel(apiClient: mockClient)
await viewModel.fetch()
XCTAssertEqual(viewModel.users.count, 1)
```
## References
- **networking-patterns.md** - Architecture patterns and best practices
- **templates/** - All template files
- Apple Docs: Swift Concurrency Updates (Swift 6.2)Related Skills
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