How to Create a TCA Feature Code Snippet in Xcode

Creating reusable code snippets in Xcode can significantly speed up your development workflow, especially when using a structured architecture like TCA (The Composable Architecture). In this post, you’ll learn how to create a TCA Feature code snippet that you can reuse across modules.

🧹 Why Create a TCA Feature Snippet?

When developing with TCA, setting up a new feature often involves the same boilerplate: defining State, Action, Reducer, and handling bindings. Automating this setup with a code snippet improves consistency and saves time.

✍️ How to Create the Snippet in Xcode

1. Open or write the code you want to reuse. Use the following TCA boilerplate as your starting code:

import ComposableArchitecture
import Foundation

@Reducer
public struct <#FeatureName#> {
  @ObservableState
  public struct State {

  }

  public enum Action: ViewAction, BindableAction {
    case binding(BindingAction<State>)
    case view(View)

    public enum View {

    }
  }

  public var body: some ReducerOf<Self> {
    BindingReducer()
    Reduce(core)
  }

  private func core(
    _ state: inout State,
    _ action: Action
  ) -> Effect<Action> {
    .none
  }

  public init() {}
}

🔁 The <#FeatureName#> is a placeholder that Xcode will let you tab through and replace easily.

1. Select all of the code in Xcode.

2. Right-click on the selection and choose Create Code Snippet.

3. In the snippet editor:

   • Name it: TCA Feature
   • Completion shortcut: tcafeature
   • Platform: All
   • Language: Swift
   • Save the snippet.

⚙️ Why This Structure?

• @ObservableState: Enables SwiftUI view bindings with BindableState.
• Action: ViewAction, BindableAction: Unifies bindings and user interactions.
• BindingReducer(): Handles .binding automatically.
• Reduce(core): Improves code completion and clarity.
• init(): Allows instantiation in previews or modules.

⚡ How to Use the Snippet

• Type tcafeature and hit Return.
• Or open the Snippets Library with Cmd+Shift+L and drag the snippet.
• Use Tab to jump through placeholders.

📅 Adding to VS Code or Cursor

To use the same snippet in VS Code:

1. Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P) → Configure User Snippets
2. Select swift.json or create a global one
3. Add:

   {
     "TCA Reducer Template": {
    "scope": "swift",
    "prefix": "tcareducer",
    "body": [
      "import ComposableArchitecture",
      "import Foundation",
      "",
      "@Reducer",
      "public struct ${1:FeatureName} {",
      "  @ObservableState",
      "  public struct State {",
      "    $2",
      "  }",
      "",
      "  public enum Action: ViewAction, BindableAction {",
      "    case binding(BindingAction)",
      "    case view(View)",
      "",
      "    public enum View {",
      "      $3",
      "    }",
      "  }",
      "",
      "  public var body: some ReducerOf {",
      "    BindingReducer()",
      "    Reduce(core)",
      "  }",
      "",
      "  private func core(",
      "    _ state: inout State,",
      "    _ action: Action",
      "  ) -> Effect {",
      "    $4",
      "    .none",
      "  }",
      "",
      "  public init() {}",
      "}"
    ],
    "description": "Creates a TCA (The Composable Architecture) Reducer template"
     }
   }
   

Then:

• Type tcareducer in a Swift file
• Press Tab to navigate placeholders

Now you can boost productivity in Xcode and VS Code or Cursor with one reusable snippet. Happy coding! 🚀