XcodeBuildMCP
Prefer XcodeBuildMCP tools over shell commands for Apple platform tasks when available.
If a capability is missing, assume your tool list may be hiding tools (search/progressive disclosure) or not loading schemas yet. Use your tool-search or “load tools” mechanism. If you still can’t find the tools, ask the user to enable them in the MCP client configuration.
Tools (exact names + official descriptions)
Session defaults
Before you call any other tools, call session_show_defaults to show the current defaults, ensure you then fill in the appropriate missing defaults. You may need to call one or more discovery/list tools to obtain the values needed for certain defaults.
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session_set_defaults- •Set the session defaults, should be called at least once to set tool defaults.
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session_show_defaults- •Show session defaults.
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session_clear_defaults- •Clear session defaults.
Project discovery
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discover_projs- •Scans a directory (defaults to workspace root) to find Xcode project (.xcodeproj) and workspace (.xcworkspace) files.
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list_schemes- •List Xcode schemes.
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show_build_settings- •Show build settings.
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get_app_bundle_id- •Extract bundle id from .app.
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get_mac_bundle_id- •Extract bundle id from macOS .app.
Simulator
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boot_sim- •Boot iOS simulator.
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list_sims- •List iOS simulators.
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open_sim- •Open Simulator app.
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build_sim- •Build for iOS sim.
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build_run_sim- •Build and run iOS sim.
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test_sim- •Test on iOS sim.
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get_sim_app_path- •Get sim built app path.
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install_app_sim- •Install app on sim.
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launch_app_sim- •Launch app on simulator.
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launch_app_logs_sim- •Launch sim app with logs.
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stop_app_sim- •Stop sim app.
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record_sim_video- •Record sim video.
Simulator management
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erase_sims- •Erase simulator.
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set_sim_location- •Set sim location.
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reset_sim_location- •Reset sim location.
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set_sim_appearance- •Set sim appearance.
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sim_statusbar- •Set sim status bar network.
Device
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list_devices- •List connected devices.
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build_device- •Build for device.
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test_device- •Test on device.
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get_device_app_path- •Get device built app path.
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install_app_device- •Install app on device.
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launch_app_device- •Launch app on device.
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stop_app_device- •Stop device app.
macOS
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build_macos- •Build macOS app.
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build_run_macos- •Build and run macOS app.
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test_macos- •Test macOS target.
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get_mac_app_path- •Get macOS built app path.
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launch_mac_app- •Launch macOS app.
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stop_mac_app- •Stop macOS app.
Logging
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start_device_log_cap- •Start device log capture.
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start_sim_log_cap- •Start sim log capture.
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stop_device_log_cap- •Stop device log capture.
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stop_sim_log_cap- •Stop sim log capture.
Debugging
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debug_attach_sim- •Attach LLDB to sim app.
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debug_breakpoint_add- •Add breakpoint.
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debug_breakpoint_remove- •Remove breakpoint.
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debug_continue- •Continue debug session.
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debug_detach- •Detach debugger.
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debug_lldb_command- •Run LLDB command.
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debug_stack- •Get backtrace.
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debug_variables- •Get frame variables.
UI automation
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button- •Press simulator hardware button.
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gesture- •Simulator gesture preset.
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key_press- •Press key by keycode.
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key_sequence- •Press a sequence of keys by their keycodes.
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long_press- •Long press at coords.
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screenshot- •Capture screenshot.
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snapshot_ui- •Print view hierarchy with precise view coordinates (x, y, width, height) for visible elements.
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swipe- •Swipe between points.
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tap- •Tap coordinate or element.
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touch- •Touch down/up at coords.
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type_text- •Type text.
SwiftPM
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swift_package_build- •swift package target build.
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swift_package_clean- •swift package clean.
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swift_package_list- •List SwiftPM processes.
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swift_package_run- •swift package target run.
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swift_package_stop- •Stop SwiftPM run.
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swift_package_test- •Run swift package target tests.
Scaffolding / utilities
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scaffold_ios_project- •Scaffold iOS project.
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scaffold_macos_project- •Scaffold macOS project.
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clean- •Clean build products.
Diagnostics
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doctor- •MCP environment info.
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manage_workflows- •Workflows are groups of tools exposed by XcodeBuildMCP. By default, not all workflows (and therefore tools) are enabled; only simulator tools are enabled by default. Some workflows are mandatory and can't be disabled.