Waffle

A grid-based web browser for iPad that reimagines how users interact with multiple webpages at once.

Overview

Unlike traditional tab-based browsers, Waffle organizes pages into a customizable grid. Each cell hosts its own browsing context, allowing users to visually organize workflows, research sets, and dashboards side-by-side. Built with SwiftUI and WebKit for iOS 26, it offers a lightweight, intuitive, and deeply Apple-native browsing experience.

Waffle is designed for:

• iPad power users who multitask visually
• Researchers and developers who reference multiple sources simultaneously
• Designers and creatives who prefer spatial memory over tab stacks

Features

Grid Browsing

• Customizable grid layout (up to unlimited rows/columns with premium)
• Independent browsing context per cell with full navigation
• Drag and drop to rearrange cells
• Pop-out windows for focused viewing

Bookmarks & Presets

• Save and organize bookmarks with drag-to-reorder
• Create presets to save entire grid layouts
• Restore research sessions with one tap

Safari Integration

• Share extension to save URLs directly into grid cells
• Quick capture from any app via share sheet

Platform Integration

• iCloud Sync: Seamless bookmark and preset sync via CloudKit
• Multi-Window: Scene-based architecture with independent grid persistence
• Fullscreen Mode: Distraction-free browsing

Premium Features (Syrup)

• Grid dimensions beyond 2x2
• Grid rearrangement
• Pop-out windows
• Fullscreen mode
• Preset creation

Requirements

• iPadOS 26.0+
• Xcode 16.0+
• macOS 15.0+ (Sequoia)
• Apple Developer account (for CloudKit capabilities)

Setup

1. Clone the repository
2. Open Waffle.xcodeproj in Xcode
3. Configure signing with your Apple Developer account
4. Update bundle identifiers and iCloud container identifiers
5. Build and run on iPad simulator or device

Required Capabilities

Enable these in your Xcode project:

• iCloud (CloudKit with private database)
• App Groups

Architecture

App Lifecycle

The app uses two window scenes:

• main: Primary grid browser interface
• DetachedWaffleCell: Pop-out windows for individual cells

Coordinator Pattern

WaffleApp
    └── WaffleCoordinator (@Observable)
            ├── WaffleState (grid state, snapshots)
            └── StoreManager (in-app purchases)

Key Components

Component	Responsibility
WaffleCoordinator	Central coordinator managing state and subscriptions
WaffleState	Observable grid state with 2D cell array
WaffleCell	Individual grid cell with WebPage context
StoreManager	StoreKit 2 subscription management

Data Layer

• SwiftData with iCloud CloudKit sync for bookmarks and presets
• AppStorage for user preferences
• Codable Snapshots for grid state persistence

Data Models

Model	Description
WaffleCell	In-memory grid cell with WebPage
Bookmark	Saved URLs with sortIndex for reordering
Preset	Saved grid layouts (name, dimensions, URLs)
SearchProvider	Search engine enum (Google, DuckDuckGo)

Key Patterns

• MVVM with Coordinator: Views have nested ViewModels, coordinator manages app-wide state
• Dependency Injection: Coordinator injected via SwiftUI @Environment
• Feature Gating: Premium features controlled via hasSyrup flag

Project Structure

Waffle/
├── WaffleApp.swift             # App entry point with window scenes
├── WaffleCoordinator.swift     # Central state coordinator
├── WaffleState.swift           # Grid state management
├── Models/
│   ├── WaffleCell.swift        # Grid cell model
│   ├── Bookmark.swift          # SwiftData bookmark
│   └── Preset.swift            # SwiftData preset
├── Views/
│   ├── Main/                   # Primary interface
│   │   ├── MainView.swift      # Root navigation
│   │   ├── SidebarView.swift   # Navigation sidebar
│   │   └── WaffleGridView.swift # Grid container
│   ├── Cell/                   # Cell views
│   │   ├── WaffleCellView.swift
│   │   └── EmptyCellView.swift
│   ├── Settings/               # Preferences
│   └── Syrup/                  # Subscription UI
├── WebKit/                     # WKWebView wrapper
└── Extensions/                 # Utilities

WaffleShareExtension/           # Safari share extension

Privacy

Waffle is designed with privacy in mind:

• All data stored in your private iCloud container
• No browsing history sent to third parties
• No analytics or tracking
• Local-first architecture

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Author

Molargik Software LLC