XcodeBuild MCP

XcodeBuild MCP is an MCP server and command-line interface that connects AI coding agents to Xcode build tooling and Apple simulator management. It allows iOS and macOS software engineers using AI tools like Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex to automate compilation, testing, and debugging directly inside their development environments. The server coordinates project builds using xcodebuild while automatically skipping macro validation to handle Swift Macros without build errors. It also provides tools for discovering available iOS simulators, preparing standalone test products, executing test suites, and deploying applications to physical or emulated devices. Behind the scenes, the integration leverages a background daemon per workspace to maintain state across long-running tasks like log captures and debugging sessions. By packaging native Apple toolchains into standard Model Context Protocol endpoints, XcodeBuild MCP lets agents diagnose compilation errors, verify UI behavior on simulators, and manage testing cycles without manual terminal intervention.

Category: Cloud & Infrastructure

Tags: build-automation, ios, macos, simulator, xcode

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How to install and configure XcodeBuild MCP

1. Ensure your system meets the requirements: macOS 14.5 or later, Xcode 16.x or later, and Node.js 18.x or later. 2. Install the package globally via Homebrew or npm: bash brew tap getsentry/xcodebuildmcp && brew install xcodebuildmcp or bash npm install -g xcodebuildmcp@latest 3. Alternatively, prepare to run it on demand without installation via npx -y xcodebuildmcp@latest mcp. 4. Register the MCP server in your MCP client configuration (such as Cursor or Claude Code) using the executable command xcodebuildmcp with the argument mcp. 5. Optionally prime agent skills by running xcodebuildmcp init in your terminal.

What you can do with XcodeBuild MCP

• Compiling iOS and macOS applications via specific schemes and project paths directly from AI agent prompts. - Launching and managing iOS simulator instances to test application layouts and runtime functionality. - Preparing isolated xctestproducts build artifacts to run automated unit and UI tests independently. - Inspecting build failures and retrieving diagnostic build logs for immediate troubleshooting by an AI model. - Executing automated test suites against targeted simulator models like iPhone devices without opening the Xcode IDE.

Key facts

• https://github.com/cameroncooke/XcodeBuildMCP
• Cloud & Infrastructure, Developer Tools & Code Intelligence
• build-automation, ios, macos, simulator, xcode

Part of MCP Servers

How do I install XcodeBuild MCP?

You can install XcodeBuild MCP via Homebrew by tapping getsentry/xcodebuildmcp and running brew install xcodebuildmcp. Alternatively, install it globally using npm with the command npm install -g xcodebuildmcp@latest. It can also be executed on demand without a global installation using npx.

What are the system requirements for XcodeBuild MCP?

XcodeBuild MCP requires a Mac running macOS 14.5 or later, Xcode 16.x or later, and Node.js 18.x or later if you are installing through npm. Node.js is not strictly required when installing via Homebrew.

Which MCP clients work with XcodeBuild MCP?

XcodeBuild MCP works with popular Model Context Protocol clients including Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex. Clients can start the server by launching the xcodebuildmcp binary with the mcp argument or via npx.

Is XcodeBuild MCP open source?

Yes, XcodeBuild MCP is open source and released under the MIT License. The complete source code and licensing terms can be accessed on its official GitHub repository.