Swift Package Manager
What Swift Package Manager is
Swift Package Manager helps developers share Swift code, use other packages, and build, test, document, and run code. A package is organized around a `Package.swift` manifest with source files, resources, and other assets. It can offer library, executable, or plugin products, and depend on Swift packages, system libraries, or binary dependencies. Commands include `swift build` and `swift test`; invoking `swift build` or `swift run` resolves packages automatically. Plugins can add build features or commands, including generating source files and resources. They run in a sandbox that blocks network and most file-system access unless users approve additional permissions. Swift Package Manager works at the command line and is integrated into Xcode. It is supported on macOS, several Linux distributions, and Windows; Swift tools on macOS can build for Apple platforms including iOS. It also generates API references from Symbol Graph files, DocC catalogs, and Markdown, with JSON archive and static HTML output. The tool is free, with a listed plan of $0.
Who it suits
It suits Swift developers managing dependencies or sharing packages for personal, private-company, or open-source use. It can also help teams generate API references and integrate package work into CI/CD.
What it does well
- Resolves dependencies automatically for `swift build` and `swift run`.
- Supports lockfiles, private registry authentication, and offline installation.
- Integrated into Xcode as well as the command line.
- Generates API references in JSON archive or static HTML formats.
What to know first
- Plugins need user-approved permissions for access beyond their sandbox.
- Apple platform builds require Swift tools on macOS.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Package Manager | Open-source package management tool | Free |
As swift.org lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Swift Package Manager documentation website.
- Use Swift Package Manager from the command line or within Xcode.
- Create a package with a `Package.swift` manifest and its source files, resources or other assets.
- Add package dependencies as needed; SwiftPM resolves them when you run `swift build` or `swift run`.
- Use `swift build` or `swift test` to build or test the package.
Verdict
Swift Package Manager combines package sharing, dependency handling, and build and test commands with API reference generation. Its support spans macOS, Linux, and Windows, while Apple platform builds are supported from macOS.
Questions
How much does Swift Package Manager cost?
The listed plan is free, and the pricing model is free.
Which platforms does it support?
Swift Package Manager is supported on macOS, Linux and Windows. Swift tools on macOS can build applications for Apple platforms including iOS.
Does it resolve dependencies and support lockfiles?
Yes. Dependency resolution and lockfile support are listed, and dependencies are resolved automatically when `swift build` or `swift run` is invoked.
Is it open source?
Swift packages can be released as open-source packages. Swift and its package manager were published under the Apache 2.0 license with a Runtime Library Exception.
Can it generate API documentation?
Yes. It can generate API references from Symbol Graph files, DocC documentation catalogs and Markdown, as a machine-readable JSON archive or static HTML website.
Can Swift Package Manager be used with Xcode?
Yes. It works from the command line and is integrated within Xcode.
Facts from Swift Package Manager's own pages
- Apple deployment targets
- Swift tools on macOS can build applications for Apple platforms including iOS. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Build and test
- SwiftPM includes commands such as swift build and swift test, and automatically resolves packages when swift build or swift run is invoked. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Current build system
- Swift 6.4 made Swift Build the default build system in Swift Package Manager. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- A package can depend on other Swift packages, system libraries, or binary dependencies. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2021 · swift.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- License
- Swift and its package manager were published under the Apache 2.0 license with a Runtime Library Exception. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Lockfile support
- Yes · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package formats
- source packages,system libraries,binary targets,package registry archives · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package structure
- A package consists of a Package.swift manifest and source files, resources, and other assets. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Plugins
- Plugins can add build capabilities or package commands, including generating source files and resources as part of a build. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Plugin security
- Plugins run in a sandbox that blocks network access and most file system access unless additional permissions are approved by the user. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Private registry auth
- Yes · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Products and targets
- Packages can provide library, executable, and plugin products built from targets. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Swift Package Manager lets developers share code as packages, use other shared packages, and build, test, document, and run code. · docs.swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Supported development platforms
- Swift Package Manager is supported on macOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Amazon Linux, Red Hat Universal Base Image, and Windows. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Linux,Windows; packages can target Apple platforms · swift.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Who it is for
- Swift packages can be created for personal use, private company use, or release as open-source packages for the community. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Xcode integration
- SwiftPM works from the command line and is integrated within Xcode. · swift.org, 7 Oct 2026
Where Swift Package Manager stands on Freedom251
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