Instrument Product Analytics
PostHogOfficialCreated by PostHog
- Skill
- Tool integration
- Data and AI
- MIT
- Low risk
AutoGineer summary
Written by AutoGineer from the skill’s own files, not by the author
This skill provides a structured, multi-step workflow to integrate PostHog product analytics into a wide variety of software projects. It guides the user through detecting the project's framework, installing the appropriate SDK, initializing the service, and strategically placing event capture calls. The skill emphasizes non-intrusive implementation, requiring that new analytics code be added alongside existing logic without altering the project's fundamental architecture. It also covers user identification, error tracking, and secure environment variable management.
What it does
- Detects the project's framework and language to determine the correct PostHog SDK.
- Handles initial SDK installation and initialization based on framework-specific patterns.
- Identifies key user actions and business-critical events for tracking.
- Implements event capture calls and user identification logic.
- Configures environment variables securely for API tokens and host URLs.
- Verifies the integration and performs targeted linting on modified files.
When to use it
- After implementing new features that require tracking for product analytics.
- When reviewing pull requests to ensure meaningful user behaviors are captured.
- During the initial setup of a new project that needs product analytics.
- When migrating or adding analytics to an existing application.
Advantages
- Supports a broad range of frontend, backend, and mobile frameworks.
- Ensures consistent event naming and property usage across the codebase.
- Prioritizes non-breaking changes and minimal impact on existing code structure.
- Automates the complex setup of environment variables and SDK initialization.
Usage examples
- “Add PostHog analytics to my Next.js project.”
- The agent will analyze the project structure, install the PostHog SDK, initialize it in the appropriate client/server files, and prompt you to identify key events to track.
- “I need to track user signups and errors in my Django backend.”
- The agent will locate your authentication logic, add identify calls, implement exception capture, and ensure the PostHog project tokens are managed via environment variables.
Install
Download the skill as a ZIP:
https://autogineer.com/agent-skills/posthog/instrument-product-analytics/downloadUnzip it into the cross-client skills folder of your project:
mkdir -p .agents/skills && unzip instrument-product-analytics.zip -d .agents/skills
Documentation by PostHog
Add PostHog product analytics events
Use this skill to add product analytics events (capture calls) that track meaningful user actions in new or changed code. Use it after implementing features or reviewing PRs to ensure key user behaviors are captured. If PostHog is not yet installed, this skill also covers initial SDK setup. Supports any framework or language.
Supported frameworks and languages: Next.js, React Router, Nuxt, Vue, TanStack Start, SvelteKit, Astro, Angular, Django, Flask, FastAPI, Laravel, PHP, Ruby on Rails, Go, Elixir, Android, iOS, Flutter, React Native, Expo, and more.
Instructions
Follow these steps IN ORDER:
STEP 1: Analyze the codebase and detect the platform.
Look for dependency files (package.json, pubspec.yaml, Podfile, Package.swift, requirements.txt, Gemfile, composer.json, go.mod, mix.exs, etc.) to determine the framework and language.
Look for lockfiles (pnpm-lock.yaml, package-lock.json, yarn.lock, bun.lockb, go.sum, pubspec.lock, Podfile.lock, Package.resolved, mix.lock) to determine the package manager.
Check for existing PostHog setup. If PostHog is already installed and initialized, skip to STEP 5.
STEP 2: Research integration. (Skip if PostHog is already set up.) 2.1. Find the reference file below that matches the detected framework — it is the source of truth for SDK initialization, provider setup, and event capture patterns. Read it now. 2.2. If no reference matches, fall back to your general knowledge and web search. Use posthog.com/docs as the primary search source.
STEP 3: Install the PostHog SDK. (Skip if PostHog is already set up.)
Add the PostHog SDK package for the detected platform. Do not manually edit package.json — use the package manager's install command.
STEP 4: Initialize PostHog. (Skip if PostHog is already set up.)
Follow the framework reference for where and how to initialize. This varies significantly by framework (e.g., instrumentation-client.ts for Next.js 15.3+, AppConfig.ready() for Django, create_app() for Flask).
STEP 5: Plan event tracking.
From the project's file list, select between 10 and 15 files that might have interesting business value for event tracking, especially conversion and churn events.
Also look for files related to login that could be used for identifying users, along with error handling.
Find any existing
posthog.capture()code. Make note of event name formatting. Don't duplicate existing events; supplement them.Track actions only, not pageviews (those can be captured automatically). Exceptions can be made for "viewed"-type events at the top of a conversion funnel.
Server-side events are REQUIRED if the project includes any instrumentable server-side code (API routes, server actions, webhook handlers, payment/checkout completion, authentication endpoints).
STEP 6: Implement event capture.
For each planned event, add
posthog.capture()calls with useful properties.If a file already has existing integration code for other tools or services, don't overwrite or remove that code. Place PostHog code below it.
Do not alter the fundamental architecture of existing files. Make additions minimal and targeted.
You must read a file immediately before attempting to write it.
STEP 7: Identify users.
Add PostHog
identify()calls on the client side during login and signup events. Use the contents of login and signup forms to identify users on submit.If both frontend and backend exist, pass the client-side session and distinct ID using
X-POSTHOG-DISTINCT-IDandX-POSTHOG-SESSION-IDheaders to the server-side code. On the server side, make sure events have a matching distinct ID.
STEP 8: Add error tracking.
Add PostHog exception capture error tracking to relevant files, particularly around critical user flows and API boundaries.
STEP 9: Set up environment variables.
Check if the project already has PostHog environment variables configured (e.g. in
.env,.env.local, or framework-specific env files). If valid values already exist, skip this step.If the PostHog project token is missing, use the PostHog MCP server's
projects-gettool to retrieve the project'sapi_token. If multiple projects are returned, ask the user which project to use. If the MCP server is not connected or not authenticated, ask the user for their PostHog project token instead.For the PostHog host URL: check the
projects-getMCP response for aregionfield —USmaps tohttps://us.i.posthog.com,EUmaps tohttps://eu.i.posthog.com. If the region is not available from the MCP response or from existing project configuration, ask the user: "Are you on PostHog US Cloud or EU Cloud?" Do not assume US Cloud.Write these values to the appropriate env file using the framework's naming convention.
Reference these environment variables in code instead of hardcoding them.
STEP 10: Verify and clean up.
Check the project for errors. Look for type checking or build scripts in package.json.
Ensure any components created were actually used.
Run any linter or prettier-like scripts found in the package.json, but ONLY on the files you have edited or created during this session. Never run formatting or linting across the entire project's codebase.
Reference files
references/EXAMPLE-next-app-router.md- next-app-router example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-next-pages-router.md- next-pages-router example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-6.md- react-react-router-6 example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-framework.md- react-react-router-7-framework example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-data.md- react-react-router-7-data example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-declarative.md- react-react-router-7-declarative example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-nuxt-3-6.md- nuxt-3-6 example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-nuxt-4.md- nuxt-4 example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-vue-3.md- vue-3 example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-file-based.md- react-tanstack-router-file-based example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-code-based.md- react-tanstack-router-code-based example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-tanstack-start.md- tanstack-start example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-sveltekit.md- sveltekit example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-astro-static.md- astro-static example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-astro-view-transitions.md- astro-view-transitions example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-astro-ssr.md- astro-ssr example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-astro-hybrid.md- astro-hybrid example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-angular.md- angular example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-django.md- django example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-flask.md- flask example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-fastapi.md- fastapi example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-python.md- python example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-laravel.md- laravel example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-php.md- php example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-ruby-on-rails.md- ruby-on-rails example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-ruby.md- ruby example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-android.md- android example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-swift.md- swift example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-react-native.md- react-native example project codereferences/EXAMPLE-expo.md- expo example project codereferences/next-js.md- Next.jsreferences/react-router-v6.md- React router v6references/react-router-v7-framework-mode.md- React router v7 framework mode (remix v3)references/react-router-v7-data-mode.md- React router v7 data modereferences/react-router-v7-declarative-mode.md- React router v7 declarative modereferences/nuxt-js-3-6.md- Nuxt.js (v3.0 to v3.6)references/nuxt-js.md- Nuxt.jsreferences/vue-js.md- Vue.jsreferences/tanstack-start.md- Tanstack startreferences/svelte.md- Sveltereferences/astro.md- Astroreferences/angular.md- Angularreferences/django.md- Djangoreferences/flask.md- Flaskreferences/python.md- Pythonreferences/posthog-python.md- PostHog python SDKreferences/dotnet.md- .netreferences/elixir.md- Elixirreferences/go.md- Goreferences/laravel.md- Laravelreferences/php.md- Phpreferences/ruby-on-rails.md- Ruby on railsreferences/ruby.md- Rubyreferences/android.md- Androidreferences/ios.md- Iosreferences/usage.md- Ios SDK usagereferences/configuration.md- Ios SDK configurationreferences/flutter.md- Flutterreferences/react-native.md- React nativereferences/identify-users.md- Identify usersreferences/COMMANDMENTS.md- Framework-specific rules the integration must follow
Each framework reference contains SDK-specific installation, initialization, and usage patterns. Find the one matching the user's stack.
Key principles
Environment variables: Always use environment variables for PostHog keys. Never hardcode them.
Minimal changes: Add PostHog code alongside existing integrations. Don't replace or restructure existing code.
Match the docs: Follow the framework reference's initialization and capture patterns exactly.
Files
- ATTRIBUTION.mdAdded by AutoGineer970 B
- LICENSELicence file added by AutoGineer1.0 KiB
- SKILL.md9.6 KiB
- references/COMMANDMENTS.md1.5 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-android.md49.8 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-angular.md23.1 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-astro-hybrid.md27.5 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-astro-ssr.md27.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-astro-static.md19.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-astro-view-transitions.md23.3 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-django.md30.7 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-expo.md35.1 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-fastapi.md40.9 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-flask.md32.4 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-laravel.md59.3 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-next-app-router.md17.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-next-pages-router.md19.1 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-nuxt-3-6.md22.3 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-nuxt-4.md28.9 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-php.md13.0 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-python.md11.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-native.md46.0 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-6.md13.5 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-data.md20.1 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-declarative.md15.0 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-react-router-7-framework.md32.5 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-code-based.md19.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-react-tanstack-router-file-based.md18.3 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-ruby-on-rails.md38.0 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-ruby.md10.0 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-sveltekit.md18.6 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-swift.md18.8 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-tanstack-start.md29.9 KiB
- references/EXAMPLE-vue-3.md17.9 KiB
- references/android.md33.3 KiB
- references/angular.md16.5 KiB
- references/astro.md15.8 KiB
- references/configuration.md17.2 KiB
- references/django.md14.9 KiB
- references/dotnet.md25.8 KiB
- references/elixir.md17.6 KiB
- references/flask.md8.1 KiB
- references/flutter.md42.8 KiB
- references/go.md20.1 KiB
- references/identify-users.md12.2 KiB
- references/ios.md8.0 KiB
- references/laravel.md13.1 KiB
- references/next-js.md18.3 KiB
- references/nuxt-js-3-6.md11.4 KiB
- references/nuxt-js.md15.1 KiB
- references/php.md23.7 KiB
- references/posthog-python.md69.3 KiB
- references/python.md52.2 KiB
- references/react-native.md59.9 KiB
- references/react-router-v6.md13.6 KiB
- references/react-router-v7-data-mode.md13.5 KiB
- references/react-router-v7-declarative-mode.md13.7 KiB
- references/react-router-v7-framework-mode.md20.2 KiB
- references/ruby-on-rails.md19.7 KiB
- references/ruby.md25.5 KiB
- references/svelte.md14.6 KiB
- references/tanstack-start.md12.8 KiB
- references/usage.md29.2 KiB
- references/vue-js.md13.4 KiB
references/ios.md
AI agents: this is one page from PostHog's docs. Full index of Markdown docs for LLMs: https://posthog.com/llms.txt
iOS
Canonical URL: https://posthog.com/docs/libraries/ios
On this page
Install with the wizard
Installation
Identifying users
Offline behavior
Using PostHog with application extensions
Method swizzling
Push notifications
Next steps
The PostHog iOS SDK is a library that you can use to track events, identify users, record session replays, evaluate feature flags, run experiments, build surveys, and more.
This page shows you how to install the SDK and get started with it. If you've already installed the SDK, you can skip ahead to learn about using the features and configuring the SDK.
Install with the wizard
Run this command in your project directory to add PostHog to your iOS project. The wizard detects your framework, installs the SDK, and sets up your first events.
npx @posthog/wizard
Or set it up manually by following the rest of this guide.
Installation
CocoaPods is becoming read-only. CocoaPods has announced the following schedule for its public specs repository:
November 2–6, 2026: A read-only dry run will prevent us from publishing new PostHog iOS SDK versions to CocoaPods.
December 2, 2026 onward: The repository will be permanently read-only. New PostHog iOS SDK versions will only be available through Swift Package Manager (SPM).
Existing versions will remain available through CocoaPods, but you'll need SPM to get new releases during the dry run and after December 2. To migrate, remove the
PostHogentry from yourPodfile, runpod install, and follow the Swift Package Manager installation instructions below.
PostHog is available through CocoaPods or you can add it as a Swift Package Manager based dependency.
CocoaPods
Podfile
pod "PostHog", "~> 3.59.3"Swift Package Manager
Add PostHog as a dependency in your Xcode project "Package Dependencies" and select the project target for your app, as appropriate.
For a Swift Package Manager based project, add PostHog as a dependency in your Package.swift file's Package dependencies section:
Package.swift
dependencies: [
.package(url: "https://github.com/PostHog/posthog-ios.git", from: "3.59.3")
],and then as a dependency for the Package target utilizing PostHog:
Package.swift
.target(
name: "myApp",
dependencies: [.product(name: "PostHog", package: "posthog-ios")]),Configuration
Configuration is done through the PostHogConfig object. Here's a basic configuration example to get you started.
You can find more advanced configuration options in the configuration page.
UIKit
import Foundation
import PostHog
import UIKit
class AppDelegate: NSObject, UIApplicationDelegate {
func application(_: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions _: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]? = nil) -> Bool {
let POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN = "<ph_project_token>"
// usually 'https://us.i.posthog.com' or 'https://eu.i.posthog.com'
let POSTHOG_HOST = "https://us.i.posthog.com"
let config = PostHogConfig(projectToken: POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN, host: POSTHOG_HOST)
PostHogSDK.shared.setup(config)
return true
}
}SwiftUI
import SwiftUI
import PostHog
@main
struct YourGreatApp: App {
// Add PostHog to your app's initializer.
// If using UIApplicationDelegateAdaptor, see the UIKit tab.
init() {
let POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN = "<ph_project_token>"
// usually 'https://us.i.posthog.com' or 'https://eu.i.posthog.com'
let POSTHOG_HOST = "https://us.i.posthog.com"
let config = PostHogConfig(projectToken: POSTHOG_PROJECT_TOKEN, host: POSTHOG_HOST)
PostHogSDK.shared.setup(config)
}
var body: some Scene {
WindowGroup {
ContentView()
}
}
}Identifying users
Identifying users is required. Call
posthog.identify('your-user-id')after login to link events to a known user. This is what connects frontend event captures, session replays, LLM traces, and error tracking to the same person — and lets backend events link back too.Use a stable ID from your auth system when possible, not an email or display name. Send those as person properties instead. If your app has no other stable key, email works as a fallback if they are unique. Never a shared literal like
"anonymous"or"user", which pools many people onto one person and corrupts their data. When no ID is available at all, skip the identify and retain the anonymous distinct ID that's automatically assigned.Call
posthog.reset()on logout, so the next person to use the browser doesn't inherit the last one's identity.See our guide on identifying users for how to set this up.
Offline behavior
The PostHog iOS SDK will continue to capture events when the device is offline. The events are stored in a queue in the device's file storage and are flushed when the device is online.
The queue has a maximum size defined by
maxQueueSizein the configuration.When the queue is full, the oldest event is deleted first.
The queue is flushed only when the device is online.
You can find the options for configuring the offline behavior in the configuration page.
Using PostHog with application extensions
PostHog supports sharing analytics data between your main app and application extensions (such as widgets, app clips, share extensions, and custom keyboards) through App Groups. This ensures that users maintain the same identity across all parts of your app ecosystem.
By default, each iOS app target stores its data in its own sandboxed directory. This means that if a user interacts with your main app and then uses a widget or extension, PostHog would treat them as two different anonymous users. This can lead to:
Inflated user counts in your analytics
Fragmented user journeys
Difficulty tracking feature adoption across your app ecosystem
Learn more about setting up app groups.
Method swizzling
The PostHog iOS SDK uses method swizzling to intercept and modify method calls at runtime to provide advanced features like screen view tracking, element interactions, session replay, surveys, and more.
Method swizzling is particularly important for accurate session metrics tracking. When disabled, the SDK cannot capture optimal session metrics.
You can learn more about configuring method swizzling in the configuration page.
Push notifications
The iOS SDK can register a device for Workflows push notifications and capture when a user opens one. For setup, including automatic and manual registration, capturing opens, and identity verification, see Push notifications.
Next steps
Now that you've installed the SDK, explore the configuration and usage options:
Requirements and compatibility
Works with: Claude Code, Claude apps, OpenAI Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Kiro, OpenCode, Goose, Amp, Roo Code, JetBrains Junie, Factory Droid, Devin (ex-Windsurf), Mistral Vibe, OpenHands, Letta
“Works with” means the tool reads the open Agent Skills format; a skill written for one tool may use features others lack.
Needs: Needs an MCP server, Needs Python, Needs Node.js
Security
What our scanner noticed· Low risk
- Instructions that use the network
A static scan is not a guarantee. Skills are third-party content: review a skill before you let an agent use it.
Attribution and licence
- Created by
- PostHog
- Publisher
- PostHog (Official)
- Source
- PostHog/skills · skills/omnibus/instrument-product-analytics · commit a5d30e7
- Licence
- MIT License (redistribution allowed)
- LICENSE (added by AutoGineer from LICENSE)
- ATTRIBUTION.md (written by AutoGineer)
- Synced
AutoGineer is not affiliated with or endorsed by PostHog or PostHog.
Download ZIP
The ZIP holds the skill’s files, its licence files and an ATTRIBUTION.md. Download instrument-product-analytics.zip