A toolset to enhance Xcode Playgrounds with third-party library support, compilation, documentation generation, and iPad Playground Book creation.
nef is a command-line tool and library that extends Xcode Playgrounds with advanced features like third-party dependency management, compilation, and documentation generation. It solves the limitations of vanilla playgrounds by enabling integration with external libraries, CI/CD workflows, and professional documentation pipelines.
Swift developers, educators, and technical writers who use Xcode Playgrounds for prototyping, teaching, or creating compilable documentation with external dependencies.
Developers choose nef because it transforms Xcode Playgrounds from simple prototyping tools into robust environments for verified documentation, iPad app development, and shareable code examples, all while maintaining compatibility with popular Swift dependency managers.
💊 steroids for Xcode Playgrounds
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Enables Xcode Playgrounds to integrate libraries via CocoaPods, Carthage, or Swift Package Manager, as shown in commands like 'nef playground --podfile'.
Allows compilation from the command line with 'nef compile', making it feasible to verify playground correctness in continuous integration pipelines.
Builds Playground Books for iPad with external dependencies from Swift Packages, extending prototyping to mobile devices using 'nef ipad'.
Generates Markdown for Jekyll microsites and customizable Carbon snippets from playgrounds, facilitating shareable, styled code examples.
Locked into macOS and iPad; it cannot be used for cross-platform Swift development or on operating systems like Windows or Linux.
Requires managing dependencies through CocoaPods, Carthage, or SPM, adding overhead compared to vanilla playgrounds, and involves multiple installation methods (Homebrew, SPM, extensions).
Lacks web-based or collaborative features, making it less suitable for teams needing simultaneous editing or online educational platforms.