app-clips
appeeky/aso-skills
Plan, implement, and optimize App Clips—lightweight iOS experiences that drive discovery and conversion without requiring a full app download.
What is app-clips?
App Clips are small, focused iOS experiences (max 15MB) that users can launch instantly from App Store search, QR codes, NFC, Safari, Messages, Maps, and Siri suggestions. Use this skill when implementing App Clips, optimizing their discoverability, designing the App Clip card, or measuring conversion from clip to full app install.
- Design and configure App Clip experiences with optimized titles, subtitles, and header images for App Store discovery
- Implement core functionality within the 15MB size limit and deliver value within 60 seconds
- Set up URL schemes, Associated Domains, and multiple App Clip experiences for locations, campaigns, and features
- Integrate Sign in with Apple or Apple Pay for frictionless authentication without custom sign-up flows
- Configure SKOverlay handoff to the full app after users experience value from the clip
- Track App Clip sessions, card impressions, and conversion rates in App Store Connect analytics
How to install app-clips
npx skills add https://github.com/appeeky/aso-skills --skill app-clips- Xcode project with App Clip target added
- Associated Domains entitlement configured in your app
- App Store Connect account with access to your app listing
- Domain ownership to register App Clip experience URLs
How to use app-clips
- 1.Add an App Clip target to your Xcode project and ensure the binary is under 15MB using Xcode's size report
- 2.Configure Associated Domains entitlement and register your App Clip experience URLs in App Store Connect
- 3.Design your core experience to deliver value within 60 seconds using only Sign in with Apple or Apple Pay for authentication
- 4.Create a Default App Clip experience with an 18-character title, 13-character subtitle, and 3000×2000px header image optimized for the outcome, not the UI
- 5.Implement SKOverlay to prompt users to install the full app after they experience value, not immediately upon launch
- 6.Set up additional App Clip experiences for locations, campaigns, or specific features if needed, then monitor sessions and conversion rates in App Store Connect analytics
Use cases
- Parking/transit app: users pay for parking or buy tickets without installing the full app
- Restaurant app: customers view menus, place orders, or pay through an App Clip card in App Store search
- Retail: product preview or loyalty card access triggered by QR code or NFC at point of sale
- Fitness app: users try a single workout demo to evaluate before committing to full install
- Games: players launch a demo level from App Store search or marketing campaign link to test gameplay
- iOS app developers building discovery and conversion funnels
- Product managers optimizing app install rates and user acquisition cost
- App Store Optimization (ASO) specialists improving discoverability through App Clip cards
- Marketing teams running campaigns that drive traffic to App Clip URLs instead of app store pages
app-clips FAQ
App Clips have a maximum binary size of 15MB (thinned, downloaded on demand). This forces you to ship only the essential experience and core value proposition.
App Clips appear as a separate card below your full app result in App Store search, labeled 'App Clip' with an 'Open' button. They also appear in Smart App Banners, QR codes, NFC codes, Safari, Messages, Maps, and Siri suggestions.
Conversion from App Clip user to full app install is typically 3–5× higher than cold organic traffic, making App Clips an effective discovery and conversion tool.
No. App Clips should use only Sign in with Apple or Apple Pay for authentication. Custom account creation flows add friction and exceed the 60-second value delivery window.
Show the SKOverlay after the user has experienced core value from the App Clip, not immediately upon launch. This maximizes the likelihood they will install the full app.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from appeeky/aso-skills.
name: app-clips description: When the user wants to implement, optimize, or use App Clips for app discovery and conversion. Use when the user mentions "App Clip", "app clip code", "mini app", "instant app", "App Clip card", "App Clip link", "no download required", "instant experience", or wants to understand how App Clips appear in App Store search. For general App Store discoverability, see aso-audit. For marketing campaigns, see ua-campaign. metadata: version: 1.0.0
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:
// 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 action: "Order Coffee" not "App Name" |
| Subtitle | 13 chars | Reinforce the value: "Skip the line" |
| Header image | 3000×2000px | Show the outcome, not the UI |
| Action button | — | Use context-specific text: "Order", "Pay", "Play" |
Measurement
Track in App Store Connect → App Analytics → App Clips:
- App Clip sessions
- App Clip cards displayed
- App Clip → full app conversions
- Unique App Clip users
App Clip vs Full App Install Trade-offs
| App Clip | Full Install | |
|---|---|---|
| User friction | Very low | Higher |
| Commitment | Low | High |
| Retention | Low (one-time use) | High |
| Conversion from Clip | — | 3–5× higher than cold traffic |
| Best for | Discovery + conversion | Retention + monetization |
Implementation Checklist
Setup:
- [ ] App Clip target added to Xcode project
- [ ] App Clip < 15MB (use size report in Xcode)
- [ ] Associated Domains entitlement configured
- [ ] App Clip experience URLs registered in App Store Connect
UX:
- [ ] Core value delivered within 60 seconds
- [ ] Sign in with Apple or Apple Pay (no custom sign-up)
- [ ] SKOverlay shown post-value (not immediately)
- [ ] Clear data handoff when user installs full app
App Store Connect:
- [ ] Default App Clip experience configured
- [ ] Header image uploaded (3000×2000px)
- [ ] Title ≤ 18 chars, subtitle ≤ 13 chars
- [ ] Additional experiences for locations/campaigns (if applicable)
Related Skills
aso-audit— Clip discoverability depends on main app ASOonboarding-optimization— Apply same "value-first" principles to Clip experienceua-campaign— Drive traffic to App Clip URLs in paid campaignsapp-store-featured— App Clips can support featuring eligibility
Related skills
More from appeeky/aso-skills and the wider catalog.
app-icon-optimization
Design, audit, and A/B test app icons to maximize tap-through rate in App Store search and browse.
app-launch
Plan and execute a successful app launch with timeline, ASO, and amplification strategy.
app-marketing-context
Create a foundational app marketing context document that guides all ASO and marketing decisions.
app-preview-video
Plan, script, and produce App Store Preview and Google Play promo videos that drive 5–25% conversion lift.
app-rejection-recovery
Diagnose app rejections and resubmit fast with Apple and Google Play Review recovery strategies.
app-store-featured
Maximize your chances of getting featured on Apple's App Store through editorial strategy and optimization.