XcodeBuildMCP CLI

This skill is for AI agents. It positions the XcodeBuildMCP CLI as a low‑overhead alternative to MCP tool calls: agents can already run shell commands, and the CLI exposes the same tool surface without the schema‑exchange cost. Prefer the CLI over raw xcodebuild, xcrun, or simctl.

When To Use This CLI (Capabilities And Workflows)

When you need build/test/run/debugging/logging/UI automation capabilities.
When you want simulator/device management capabilities.
When you want AI optimized tools and tool responses.
When you need project discovery capabilities (schemes, bundle IDs, app paths).

Command Discovery

Use --help to discover workflows, tools, and arguments.

xcodebuildmcp --help
xcodebuildmcp tools --help
xcodebuildmcp tools --json
xcodebuildmcp <workflow> --help
xcodebuildmcp <workflow> <tool> --help

Notes:

Use --json '{...}' for complex arguments and --output json if you need machine-readable results (not recommended).

Common Workflows

Build And Run On Simulator

If your intent is to run the app in Simulator, use build-and-run directly. It already performs the build step. Do not run build first unless the user explicitly requests both commands.

List simulators and pick a device name or UDID.
Build and run.

If app and project details are not known:

xcodebuildmcp simulator discover-projects --workspace-root .
xcodebuildmcp simulator list-schemes --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj
xcodebuildmcp simulator list

To build, install and launch the app in one command:

xcodebuildmcp simulator build-and-run --scheme MyApp --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj --simulator-name "iPhone 17 Pro"

Build only

Use this only when you want compile feedback and do not want to launch the app. For run/launch intent, use build-and-run instead of chaining build and build-and-run.

xcodebuildmcp simulator build --scheme MyApp --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj --simulator-name "iPhone 17 Pro"

Run Tests

When you need to run tests, you can do so with the test tool.

xcodebuildmcp simulator test --scheme MyAppTests --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj --simulator-name "iPhone 17 Pro"

Install And Launch On Physical Device

xcodebuildmcp device list
xcodebuildmcp device build --scheme MyApp --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj
xcodebuildmcp device get-app-path --scheme MyApp --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj
xcodebuildmcp device get-app-bundle-id --app-path /path/to/MyApp.app
xcodebuildmcp device install --device-id DEVICE_UDID --app-path /path/to/MyApp.app
xcodebuildmcp device launch --device-id DEVICE_UDID --bundle-id io.sentry.MyApp

Capture Logs On Simulator

xcodebuildmcp logging start-simulator-log-capture --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --bundle-id io.sentry.MyApp
xcodebuildmcp logging stop-simulator-log-capture --log-session-id LOG_SESSION_ID

Debug A Running App (Simulator)

Launch the app.
Attach the debugger after the app is fully launched.

Launch if not already running:

xcodebuildmcp simulator launch-app --bundle-id io.sentry.MyApp --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID

Attach the debugger:

It's generally a good idea to wait for 1-2s for the app to fully launch before attaching the debugger.

xcodebuildmcp debugging attach --bundle-id io.sentry.MyApp --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID

To add/remove breakpoints, inspect stack/variables, and issue arbitrary LLDB commands, view debugging help:

xcodebuildmcp debugging --help

Inspect UI And Automate Input

Snapshot UI accessibility tree, tap/swipe/type, and capture screenshots:

xcodebuildmcp ui-automation snapshot-ui --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID
xcodebuildmcp ui-automation tap --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --label "Submit"
xcodebuildmcp ui-automation tap --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --id "SubmitButton"
# Coordinate fallback when label/id is unavailable
xcodebuildmcp ui-automation tap --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --x 200 --y 400
xcodebuildmcp ui-automation type-text --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --text "hello"
xcodebuildmcp ui-automation screenshot --simulator-id SIMULATOR_UDID --return-format path

To see all UI automation tools, view UI automation help:

xcodebuildmcp ui-automation --help

macOS App Build/Run

xcodebuildmcp macos build --scheme MyMacApp --project-path ./MyMacApp.xcodeproj
xcodebuildmcp macos build-and-run --scheme MyMacApp --project-path ./MyMacApp.xcodeproj

To see all macOS tools, view macOS help:

xcodebuildmcp macos --help

SwiftPM Package Workflows

xcodebuildmcp swift-package list
xcodebuildmcp swift-package build --package-path ./MyPackage
xcodebuildmcp swift-package test --package-path ./MyPackage

To see all SwiftPM tools, view SwiftPM help:

xcodebuildmcp swift-package --help

Project Discovery

xcodebuildmcp project-discovery discover-projects --workspace-root .
xcodebuildmcp project-discovery list-schemes --project-path ./MyApp.xcodeproj
xcodebuildmcp project-discovery get-app-bundle-id --app-path ./Build/MyApp.app

To see all project discovery tools, view project discovery help:

xcodebuildmcp project-discovery --help

Scaffolding new projects

It's worth viewing the --help for the scaffolding tools to see the available options. Here are some minimal examples:

xcodebuildmcp project-scaffolding scaffold-ios --project-name MyApp --output-path ./Projects
xcodebuildmcp project-scaffolding scaffold-macos --project-name MyMacApp --output-path ./Projects

To see all project scaffolding tools, view project scaffolding help:

xcodebuildmcp project-scaffolding --help

Daemon Notes (Stateful Tools)

Stateful tools (logs, debug, video recording, background run) go through a per-workspace daemon that auto-starts, if you find you are getting errors with the stateful tools, you can manage the daemon process manually.

xcodebuildmcp daemon status
xcodebuildmcp daemon restart

To see all daemon commands, view daemon help:

xcodebuildmcp daemon --help

xcodebuildmcp-cli