How to add Xcode MCP Server to Claude Desktop

Comprehensive Xcode integration for AI assistants: projects, builds, tests, simulators, SPM and CocoaPods. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 380★ · stdio · no auth

Claude Desktop config for Xcode MCP Server

git clone https://github.com/r-huijts/xcode-mcp-server.git && cd xcode-mcp-server && npm install && npm run build

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "xcode-mcp-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/xcode-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the Xcode MCP Server config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm Xcode MCP Server's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

macOS with Xcode 14.0 or higher installed
Node.js 16 or higher
npm or yarn
Swift 5.5+ for Swift Package Manager features
CocoaPods (optional, for CocoaPods integration)
PROJECTS_BASE_DIR set to your projects base directory

What Xcode MCP Server can do in Claude Desktop

create_xcode_project

Create a new Xcode project from a template (e.g. ios-app, macOS, watchOS, tvOS) with options for name, output directory, organization name/identifier, language, tests, and setting it active.

add_swift_package

Add a Swift Package Manager dependency to the active project by URL with a version requirement (e.g. 'from: 5.0.0').

read_file

Read a file's contents with a specified encoding (e.g. utf-8); supports binary files via base64.

write_file

Write content to a file, optionally creating it if missing.

search_in_files

Search for text content within files in a directory using a file pattern and optional regex matching.

build_project

Build the active project with customizable options such as scheme and configuration (e.g. Debug/Release).

test_project

Run tests for a scheme with detailed failure reporting, optionally specifying a test plan.

Security

All file operations are restricted to allowed directories via path validation (PROJECTS_BASE_DIR plus optional ALLOWED_PATHS). Input parameters are validated with Zod schemas, and external processes are executed with error handling. The server can read, write, and execute build/Xcode commands within the configured directories, so scope PROJECTS_BASE_DIR and ALLOWED_PATHS carefully.

Xcode MCP Server + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Xcode MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Xcode MCP Server safe to use with Claude Desktop?

How do I connect it to Claude Desktop?

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and add an mcpServers entry named 'xcode' with command 'node' and args pointing to the built dist/index.js. An included setup.sh script can configure this automatically.

Is there a published npm package?

No. You install by cloning the repository, running npm install, and building with npm run build; then point the config at the compiled dist/index.js.

What platforms are supported?

macOS only, with Xcode 14.0+ installed. It requires Node.js 16+, and Swift 5.5+ for Swift Package Manager features (CocoaPods optional).

View repo Full Xcode MCP Server page