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Build and run iOS/macOS apps using xcodebuild and xcrun simctl directly. Use when building Xcode projects, running iOS simulators, managing devices, compiling Swift code, running UI tests, or automating iOS app interactions. Replaces XcodeBuildMCP with native CLI tools.
npx skill4agent add pzep1/xcode-build-skill xcode-buildxcodebuildxcrun simctl# List schemes in a workspace
xcodebuild -workspace /path/to/App.xcworkspace -list
# List schemes in a project
xcodebuild -project /path/to/App.xcodeproj -list
# Show build settings
xcodebuild -workspace /path/to/App.xcworkspace -scheme AppScheme -showBuildSettings# List all simulators
xcrun simctl list devices
# List as JSON (better for parsing)
xcrun simctl list devices --json
# List only available simulators
xcrun simctl list devices available# Get simulator UUID first
UDID=$(xcrun simctl list devices --json | jq -r '.devices | .[].[] | select(.name=="iPhone 16 Pro") | .udid' | head -1)
# Build
xcodebuild \
-workspace /path/to/App.xcworkspace \
-scheme AppScheme \
-destination "platform=iOS Simulator,id=$UDID" \
-configuration Debug \
-derivedDataPath /tmp/build \
build# Find the built .app
APP_PATH=$(find /tmp/build -name "*.app" -type d | head -1)
# Install on simulator
xcrun simctl install $UDID "$APP_PATH"
# Launch app
xcrun simctl launch $UDID com.your.bundleidxcrun simctl io $UDID screenshot /tmp/screenshot.pngxcodebuildxcrun simctl# 1. Boot simulator
xcrun simctl boot $UDID 2>/dev/null || true
# 2. Build
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App \
-destination "platform=iOS Simulator,id=$UDID" \
-derivedDataPath /tmp/build build
# 3. Find and install app
APP=$(find /tmp/build -name "*.app" -type d | head -1)
xcrun simctl install $UDID "$APP"
# 4. Launch with console output
xcrun simctl launch --console $UDID com.bundle.id# Stream app logs (run in background)
/usr/bin/log stream \
--predicate 'processImagePath CONTAINS[cd] "AppName"' \
--style json &
LOG_PID=$!
# ... interact with app ...
# Stop logging
kill $LOG_PID# Unit tests
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App \
-destination "platform=iOS Simulator,id=$UDID" \
test
# Specific test class
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App \
-destination "platform=iOS Simulator,id=$UDID" \
-only-testing "AppTests/MyTestClass" \
test// In a UI test file
func testLogin() {
let app = XCUIApplication()
app.launch()
// Type in text field
app.textFields["email"].tap()
app.textFields["email"].typeText("user@example.com")
// Tap button
app.buttons["Login"].tap()
// Verify result
XCTAssertTrue(app.staticTexts["Welcome"].exists)
}xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme AppUITests \
-destination "platform=iOS Simulator,id=$UDID" \
test# Set up session variables
export XCODE_WORKSPACE="/path/to/App.xcworkspace"
export XCODE_SCHEME="App"
export SIM_UDID="DD5E339B-468E-43C7-B219-54112C9D3250"
export APP_BUNDLE_ID="com.your.app"
# Use in commands
xcodebuild -workspace "$XCODE_WORKSPACE" -scheme "$XCODE_SCHEME" ...
xcrun simctl launch "$SIM_UDID" "$APP_BUNDLE_ID"# Check available destinations
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App -showDestinations
# Use exact destination string from output# Check if already booted
xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted
# Force shutdown and reboot
xcrun simctl shutdown $UDID
xcrun simctl boot $UDID# Check derived data path you specified
ls -la /tmp/build/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/
# Or use default derived data
ls ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/| Feature | XcodeBuildMCP | This Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Build | | |
| List sims | | |
| Launch app | | |
| Screenshot | | |
| Tap/Type | | XCUITest framework |
| Session state | Built-in | Environment variables |