Individual skill

using-game-controller

ALWAYS use when the user has any question about game controller input on Apple platforms — whether writing new code, porting from Windows, or modernizing an existing implementation. Trigger when working with the GCController API or GameController framework (controller lifecycle, connect/disconnect, current controller, player index, profile-based input, modern input API, polling, callbacks, haptics, rumble, adaptive triggers, motion/IMU, or on-screen controls), or when porting Windows controller code such as XInput, DirectInput, GameInput, RawInput, joystickapi.h, IOKit HID, IOHIDManager, or HidP_* APIs. Do NOT trigger for keyboard or mouse input.

game-porting-skills/skills/using-game-controller/SKILL.md

Read pinned source

Source commit 4f42344c90be22112f46becc3fb9687f423f2f88

What was checked

Matches the observed repository HEAD: Yes
Scanner rules are current: Yes
Repository scan complete: No
Skill scan complete: Yes
Observed behavior: Instructions only
Last checked: Nov 5, 2026

These are observations at the recorded commit, not a guarantee of safety. Review the source before running it.

Install this skill

Choose an agent in your Stack or copy a command below. Commands fetch the pinned commit and copy only this skill directory. Existing destinations are refused. Copying a command does not install anything.

An install command is unavailable: current rules, complete repository and skill scans, an eligible behavior level and a permitted license are required.

Repository context

Repository stars (not skill ratings): 219
Repository last updated: Jun 8, 2026
License: Apache-2.0

Observed agent integration: No specific integration evidence. Standard SKILL.md installation does not imply verified compatibility.

writing Derived category

Files and excerpt

File metadata and permitted, redacted excerpts come from the recorded scan. Source links are pinned to that commit.

Browse files

SKILL.mdcore · 24,756 bytes
reference/haptics.mddoc · 10,273 bytes
reference/input-element-names.mddoc · 16,033 bytes
reference/inspect-the-device.mddoc · 9,746 bytes
reference/modern-input.mddoc · 26,063 bytes
reference/platform-notes.mddoc · 4,546 bytes
reference/profile-based-input.mddoc · 30,633 bytes

Read excerpt


## Overview

A comprehensive guide to Apple's GameController framework - covering Swift/ObjC APIs, platform considerations, and porting from Windows.

Use the GameController framework when writing code for Apple platforms that interacts with game controllers.  The `GCController` API presents a common abstraction over gamepad and joystick input devices.  The GameController framework supports popular game controllers including the Sony DualSHOCK 4, Sony DualSense, Nintendo Switch Pro, and Microsoft Xbox controllers.  Advanced features available on these controllers - IMU, Rumble, and Adaptive Triggers (force feedback) - are supported.  

When porting Windows code that calls RawInput (e.g, `RegisterRawInputDevices`) or HID (`HidP_*`) APIs to interfce with Sony, Nintendo, and other non-Xbox controllers, AVOID writing equivalent code that uses IOKit and `IOHIDManager` APIs.  PREFER to re-write the code to use the abstractions provided by the `GCController` API instead.


---

## Framework Concepts

* **Device-centric model** - Each `GCController` represents a connected gamepad or joystick device.  You obtain the currently connected devices from `GCController.controllers`, listen for new connections (`GCControllerDidConnectNotification`) and disconnections (`GCControllerDidDisconnectNotification`), and monitor for input from the one(s) you are interested in.