XcodeBuildMCP

Build, run, and debug iOS & macOS apps in Xcode from your AI coding agent.

Unverified

stdio (local)

No auth

TypeScript

View repo 6.0k Website npm

Add to your client

Copy the config for your MCP client and paste it into its config file.

Install / run

npm install -g xcodebuildmcp@latest

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "xcodebuildmcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "xcodebuildmcp@latest",
        "mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step-by-step guides: Add to Claude Desktop · Add to Cursor · Add to Windsurf

Before you start

macOS 14.5 or later
Xcode 16.x or later
Node.js 18.x or later (not required for the Homebrew installation)
Code signing configured in Xcode for device-targeting tools

About XcodeBuildMCP

A Model Context Protocol server and CLI that lets AI agents drive Xcode-based iOS and macOS development: discovering schemes, building projects, installing and launching apps on simulators or physical devices, and capturing logs for debugging. Maintained by Sentry (getsentry) and distributed as the single xcodebuildmcp package, installable via Homebrew or npm. Start the server with xcodebuildmcp mcp or run on demand with npx -y xcodebuildmcp@latest mcp.

Tools & capabilities (7)

list_schemes

Discover valid build schemes for a project or workspace.

build_run_sim

Build the scheme, install the resulting .app on a booted simulator, and launch it, capturing logs to a file.

build_run_device

Build, install, and launch the app on a connected physical device.

build_run_macos

Build, install, and launch a macOS app.

launch_app_sim

Launch an already-installed app on a booted simulator.

launch_app_device

Launch an already-installed app on a connected physical device.

launch_mac_app

Launch a built macOS app.

When to use it

Let an AI agent build and run an iOS app on the simulator and read back the logs to diagnose a failure
Iterate on a macOS app build-run loop without manually switching to Xcode
Deploy and launch a build on a physical iPhone/iPad from within the editor
Discover available schemes and configurations before kicking off a build

Security notes

XcodeBuildMCP uses Sentry for internal runtime error telemetry only; see the project's Privacy & Telemetry docs for details and opt-out instructions. Device tools require code signing to be configured in Xcode.

XcodeBuildMCP FAQ

Does it support both iOS and macOS projects?

Yes. It provides tools for iOS simulators, physical iOS devices, and macOS apps.

Do I need to install it globally?

No. While you can install globally via Homebrew or npm, most MCP clients can run the server on demand with `npx -y xcodebuildmcp@latest mcp` without a global install.

Does it send any telemetry?

It uses Sentry for internal runtime error telemetry only. The project documents how to opt out in its Privacy & Telemetry page.

What are the system requirements?

macOS 14.5+, Xcode 16.x+, and Node.js 18.x+ (Node is not required when installing via Homebrew).

#xcode #ios #macos #swift #build #simulator #apple #dev-tools

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