getsentry/XcodeBuildMCP
XcodeBuildMCP
XcodeBuildMCP is a Model Context Protocol server and development tool bridge that provides AI agents with the ability to control xcodebuild, manage simulators, and automate the compilation and execution of Apple platform applications. It functions as a persistent daemon that proxies native IDE build and debug capabilities to external clients and agents.
The project distinguishes itself by using the Model Context Protocol to expose build and device management tools through a standardized interface. It implements specialized skill priming and instruction configuration to ensure AI agents can interact with Apple development tools without needing to rediscover project conventions.
The system covers a broad range of automation capabilities, including multi-platform project compilation, Swift package management, and the lifecycle control of iOS simulators. It supports physical hardware deployment via USB or Wi-Fi, remote debugging through LLDB command execution, and automated UI testing via gesture simulation and accessibility analysis.
Observability is handled through real-time progress streaming using newline-delimited JSON, code coverage analysis, and the capture of device runtime logs.
Features
- Apple Platform Agent Bridges - Controls xcodebuild, simulators, and physical devices from AI coding agents through a standardized protocol interface.
- Model Context Protocol Servers - Implements a Model Context Protocol server that exposes xcodebuild and device management tools to AI agents.
- CLI and MCP Interfaces - Exposes every build, test, and debug tool both as an MCP server and as a direct CLI.
- AI Agent Skills - Injects pre-written instructions into AI agents so they know how to use the MCP server or CLI.
- MCP Servers - Ships an MCP server implementation that exposes xcodebuild and simulator tools to AI agents.
- Tool Invocation Handlers - Invokes registered build and device management tools via the MCP protocol with structured responses.
- Tool Result Envelopes - Wraps every tool result in a consistent JSON envelope with error status, data schema, and optional follow-up steps.
- Newline-Delimited JSON Streams - Writes one JSON object per line as the tool runs for live machine-readable progress.
- Single-Command App Deployments - Compiles, installs, launches an app, and streams logs in a single tool call for agent workflows.
- Build Output Streams - Provides real-time streaming of build output logs and attachments as the build progresses.
- Apple Platform CLI Builds - Compiles, tests, and deploys Xcode projects and Swift packages to simulators and physical devices from the command line.
- Development Daemon State Management - Auto-starts a background daemon that maintains development workspace state for logging and debugging.
- NDJSON Build Event Streams - Emits real-time NDJSON progress events during builds and tests for machine consumption.
- Xcode Build Automation - Automates compilation and execution of Xcode projects on iOS simulators from the command line.
- Physical Device Deployments - Builds, installs, and launches applications on physical iOS devices over USB or Wi-Fi.
- Simulator Management - Controls the lifecycle and state of iOS simulators for automated application verification.
- Integrated Launch and Monitoring - Combines app compilation, installation, and startup with log streaming in a single operation.
- Apple Device Simulator and Hardware Management - Boots, installs, launches, logs, and records video on iOS simulators and physical Apple devices over USB or Wi-Fi.
- iOS Simulator Lifecycle Controllers - Boots, installs, launches, and captures logs and video from iOS simulators programmatically.
- Apple Platform - Compiles, tests, and launches Xcode projects and Swift packages on simulators and devices from the command line.
- Multi-Target Build and Test - Compiles, tests, and cleans targets across simulators, physical devices, and macOS platforms.
- Workspace Project Discovery - Automatically discovers Xcode projects, workspaces, and Swift packages for structured builds.
- Long-Running Task Output Streams - Streams progress and subprocess output continuously during long-running build and test tasks.
- Test Suite Progress Streams - Executes XCTest suites on a simulator and streams test results and progress in real time.
- Swift Package Testing - Builds and tests Swift packages with background process management through a per-workspace daemon.
- LLDB Remote Debugging Bridges - Attaches the debugger to running apps, sets breakpoints, inspects state, and executes raw LLDB commands.
- Breakpoint Debugging - Attaches the debugger, sets breakpoints, inspects stack frames, and runs raw LLDB commands against a running app.
- LLDB Agent Debugging Bridges - Attaches to running apps, sets breakpoints, and inspects state through LLDB commands for AI agent consumption.
- JSON Output Formatting Options - Returns a tagged-union JSON envelope with schema, error status, and domain data for CI pipelines.
- Background Daemon Managers - Auto-starts and manages a background daemon for stateful operations like log capture and debugging.
- Per-Workspace Daemons - Auto-starts a per-workspace background daemon for stateful operations like log capture and debugging.
- Autonomous Fix Loops - Automatically fixes build errors by reading diagnostics, making edits, and rebuilding until successful.
- YAML Configuration Files - Reads structured, repo-scoped settings from a YAML file at the workspace root to control session behavior.
- UI Automation - Performs taps, swipes, and typing by targeting semantic element references instead of pixel positions.
- Simulator Video Recorders - Captures a video of simulator activity to a file, useful for bug reports or recording automated UI flows.
- Test Result Reporters - Returns individual test case results with suite, name, status, and duration in structured output.
- Code Coverage Reportings - Produces per-target summaries and function-level uncovered-line reports from xcresult bundles.
- Build Output Streamers - Streams human-readable build progress and results to the terminal with file artifacts.
