# cameroncooke/xcodebuildmcp

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5,917 stars · 294 forks · TypeScript · MIT

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/cameroncooke/xcodebuildmcp
- Homepage: https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/cameroncooke-xcodebuildmcp.md

## Description

xcodebuildmcp is a Model Context Protocol server that exposes Xcode build, test, and device management tools for AI coding agents to automate iOS and macOS development workflows. It operates as a background daemon per workspace, communicating tool requests and responses over standard input/output using JSON-RPC messages, and streams progress and results as newline-delimited JSON objects for machine parsing.

The project provides an interactive setup wizard and file-based client configuration to install skill files into predefined directories for supported AI coding clients. It manages the full lifecycle of iOS simulators programmatically — booting, installing apps, launching with arguments, capturing logs, and recording video — and wraps Apple's xcodebuild tool as a child process to stream its output in real time. The tool also handles physical device deployment, building, signing, installing, and launching apps on real hardware over USB or Wi-Fi for unattended testing.

Beyond build and test automation, xcodebuildmcp includes capabilities for project discovery, Swift package management, code coverage reporting, and UI interaction automation through tap, swipe, type, and gesture commands. It supports LLDB debugging by attaching a debugger to running processes, setting breakpoints, inspecting stack frames, and executing raw LLDB commands. The project integrates with a wide range of AI coding clients and editors including Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and others through automated skill installation and MCP client configuration.

## Tags

### Artificial Intelligence & ML

- [MCP Servers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/mcp-servers.md) — Launches a Model Context Protocol server on stdio for integration with MCP-compatible AI coding agents. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Model Context Protocol Servers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/model-context-protocol-servers.md) — Exposes Xcode build, test, and device management tools to AI coding agents via the Model Context Protocol.
- [MCP Server Configurations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/agentic-systems-frameworks/integration-deployment/agent-configuration-tools/claude-code-configurations/mcp-server-configurations.md) — Configures MCP servers across multiple AI coding clients with automated skill installation and client integration.
- [iOS Device Builds](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/on-device-models/on-device-speech-to-text-sdks/on-device-model-runtimes/on-device-compilation/ios-device-builds.md) — Builds an iOS app and launches it on a physical device, accepting runtime arguments for configuration. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Skill Installation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/agentic-systems-frameworks/agent-capabilities-skills-tooling/agent-skill-frameworks/skill-installation.md) — Detects installed AI coding clients and places the skill file into the correct directory for each one automatically. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/skills))
- [Agent Skill-Only Installations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/agentic-systems-frameworks/agent-capabilities-skills-tooling/agent-skill-frameworks/skill-installation/agent-skill-only-installations.md) — Installs MCP or CLI agent skill files into supported coding assistants like Claude Code or Cursor. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Xcode Skill Installations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/agentic-systems-frameworks/agent-capabilities-skills-tooling/agent-skill-frameworks/skill-installation/xcode-skill-installations.md) — Installs pre-configured skill files that prime AI agents with Xcode tool conventions and workflows. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/skills))
- [MCP Server Registrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/agentic-systems-frameworks/integration-deployment/agent-configuration-tools/claude-code-configurations/mcp-server-registrations.md) — Adds the MCP server to Claude Code via a single CLI command so the agent can build and test Xcode projects. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/clients))
- [Xcode Build Instructions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/artificial-intelligence-ml/step-by-step-task-plans/procedural-knowledge-capture/ai-agent-prompting-instructions/xcode-build-instructions.md) — Installs skills that instruct AI agents on how to use MCP server tools or CLI for Xcode tasks. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/cameroncooke/xcodebuildmcp@main/README.md))

### Part of an Awesome List

- [MCP Server Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/ai/ai-agents-and-assistants/xcode-project-automation-agents/mcp-server-integrations.md) — Connects AI coding agents to Xcode projects via the Model Context Protocol for automated iOS and macOS development.
- [Development Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/devtools/development-tools.md) — Scaffold, build, and test iOS and macOS apps

### Networking & Communication

- [MCP-over-STDIO Transports](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/networking-communication/communication-protocols-architectures/communication-protocols-standards/transport-protocols/stdio-transports/stdio-transports/mcp-over-stdio-transports.md) — Communicates tool requests and responses over standard input/output using JSON-RPC messages for MCP integration.

### Data & Databases

- [Newline-Delimited JSON Streams](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/data-databases/streaming-parsers/json/newline-delimited-json-streams.md) — Emits progress and results as newline-delimited JSON objects for machine parsing and shell piping.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [AI Agent Priming Skills](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/ai-agent-priming-skills.md) — Teach an AI agent the correct tool names, CLI equivalents, and workflow patterns so it stops guessing flag names. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/skills))
- [iOS Simulator Builds](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/build-orchestration-logic/build-orchestration-configuration/build-automation-systems/build-systems/static-site-generators/build-simulations/ios-simulator-builds.md) — Builds an iOS app and launches it on a specified simulator, accepting optional launch arguments for testing. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/cameroncooke/xcodebuildmcp@main/README.md))
- [Client Configurations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/sandboxed-execution-environments/sandbox-configuration/mcp-connectivity/client-configurations.md) — Configures any MCP-compatible editor or AI agent to connect to the server by pasting a JSON block with the command and arguments. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/clients))
- [Claude Desktop Configurations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/ai-desktop-clients/mcp-desktop-clients/claude-desktop-configurations.md) — Adds the MCP server to Claude Desktop's configuration file for in-app Xcode project control. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/clients))
- [Xcode Project Scanners](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/development-environment-management/environment-provisioning-configuration/developer-environment-tooling/workspace-generators/xcode-workspace-generation/xcode-project-generation-tools/xcode-project-scanners.md) — Scans the filesystem to locate Xcode project, workspace, and Swift package manifest files automatically. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))
- [LLDB Agent Debugging Bridges](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/interactive-debug-consoles/breakpoint-debugging/lldb-agent-debugging-bridges.md) — Attaches a debugger to running apps, sets breakpoints, inspects stack frames, and executes raw LLDB commands for interactive debugging.
- [macOS App Launchers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/macos-application-build-tooling/macos-app-launchers.md) — Builds a macOS app and launches it directly on the host machine, supporting runtime argument injection. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Real-Time Output Streaming](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/real-time-output-streaming.md) — Streams progress and subprocess output live to stdout in text or JSONL format for immediate feedback. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Xcode Session Defaults](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/session-default-configurations/xcode-session-defaults.md) — Stores workspace, scheme, and simulator settings so subsequent tool calls reuse them automatically. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))
- [Setup Wizards](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/setup-wizards.md) — Guides users through project configuration via a terminal-based questionnaire for initial setup.

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Per-Workspace Daemons](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/background-daemon-managers/per-workspace-daemons.md) — Auto-starts a stateful background process per workspace that persists between commands for long-running operations. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Xcode Build Automation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/build-automation-tools/xcode-build-automation.md) — Compiles Xcode projects, runs XCTest suites with live progress, and generates code coverage reports from a CLI or agent interface.
- [iOS Device Installations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/distribution-packaging/software-distribution/application-signing/ios-device-installations.md) — Builds, installs, launches, and tests apps on iOS or macOS hardware devices after signing is configured. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/device-signing))
- [xcodebuild Wrappers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/remote-command-execution/php-wrapper-command-execution/subprocess-executions/xcodebuild-wrappers.md) — Invokes Apple's xcodebuild tool as a child process and streams its output in real time for build automation.
- [Swift Package Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/distribution-packaging/swift-package-management.md) — Builds, tests, and runs Swift packages and executables with background process management through a daemon. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))

### Hardware & IoT

- [iOS Physical Device Runners](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/hardware-iot/on-device-applications/ios-physical-device-runners.md) — Runs an iOS app on a connected physical device with custom runtime arguments for unattended testing. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))

### Mobile Development

- [Physical Device Deployments](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/physical-device-deployments.md) — Installs and launches apps on paired iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Vision Pros over USB or Wi-Fi. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))
- [Xcode Code Signing Setups](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/distribution-updates/store-deployment/app-store-submission-automators/app-store-record-provisioning/certificate-and-device-management/device-signing-overrides/xcode-code-signing-setups.md) — Sets up code signing in Xcode so device build, install, and launch tools work unattended. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/device-signing))
- [iOS App Launchers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/ios-app-installations/ios-app-launchers.md) — Starts an already-installed app on a simulator or device by bundle ID, passing custom launch arguments. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [iOS Simulator Lifecycle Controllers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/ios-device-management/ios-simulator-lifecycle-controllers.md) — Boots, installs, launches, captures logs, records video, and resets state on iOS simulators programmatically.
- [Background Daemons](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/system-administration-maintenance/system-services/background-daemons.md) — Runs a persistent background daemon per workspace to maintain stateful debugging sessions across CLI invocations.

### Programming Languages & Runtimes

- [Multi-Target Build and Test](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/build-and-test-toolchains/multi-target-build-and-test.md) — Compiles, tests, and cleans targets for simulators, physical devices, and macOS using structured tool calls. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))
- [Single-Call Build and Launch](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/build-and-test-toolchains/multi-target-build-and-test/single-call-build-and-launch.md) — Compiles, installs, launches, and streams logs for a target in a single tool call to eliminate multi-step workflows. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Test Suite Progress Streams](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/execution-streaming/code-execution-progress-streams/test-suite-progress-streams.md) — Executes XCTest suites on simulators and devices, streaming test results and progress in real time. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))

### Testing & Quality Assurance

- [Xcode Test Runners](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/software-testing/testing-frameworks/test-frameworks/execution-and-infrastructure/test-execution-runners/test-suite-runners/xcode-test-runners.md) — Provides an agent that executes XCTest suites with live progress streaming and generates code coverage reports.
- [Simulator Video Recorders](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/automation-interaction-tools/ui-automation/automation-flow-recorders/simulator-video-recorders.md) — Captures video recordings of simulator activity for bug reports and automated UI flow documentation. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/cli))
- [Apple Device Runtime Log Captures](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/on-device-runtime-debugging/apple-device-runtime-log-captures.md) — Retrieves runtime logs and process IDs from an app running on a connected Apple device for debugging. ([source](https://xcodebuildmcp.com/docs/device-signing))
- [Code Coverage Reportings](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/software-testing/test-execution-orchestration/code-coverage-reportings.md) — Generates per-target summaries and function-level reports of uncovered lines from test result data. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))
- [UI Element Interactions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/testing-quality-assurance/ui-element-interactions.md) — Automates tap, swipe, type, gesture, and inspection of semantic element references from the view hierarchy. ([source](https://www.xcodebuildmcp.com/docs))

### Security & Cryptography

- [Skill File Installers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/security-cryptography/file-based-configuration/skill-file-installers.md) — Installs skill files into predefined directories for each supported AI coding client automatically.