ios-cli

# iOS CLI & Apple Developer Specialist This skill provides unified instructions for building, running, inspecting, and testing applications across Apple platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS) using integrated MCP tools (`mobile-build` and `xcode`) and command-line utilities. --- ## 1. Session Setup & Project Discovery Before running builds or tests in a session, always inspect or configure the session defaults to avoid passing repetitive parameters: ```text 1. Check active session defaults: Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "mobile-build", ToolName: "session_show_defaults" 2. If project or scheme is missing, discover projects: Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "mobile-build", ToolName: "discover_projs" Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "mobile-build", ToolName: "list_schemes" 3. Set session defaults for the session: Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "mobile-build", ToolName: "session_set_defaults" Arguments: { "project_path": "...", "scheme": "MyApp", "simulator_name": "iPhone 16" } ``` Alternatively, for Xcode workspace-centric workflows: - Use `XcodeListWorkspaces`, `XcodeOpenWorkspace`, `XcodeListSchemes`, `XcodeSwitchScheme`. --- ## 2. Simulator Management Manage iOS Simulators directly through `mobile-build` MCP: - **List available simulators**: Call `list_sims` (returns simulator names, UDIDs, iOS runtimes, and boot states). - **Boot simulator**: Call `boot_sim` with `simulator_name` (e.g., `"iPhone 16"`). - **Open Simulator UI**: Call `open_sim` to bring the native macOS Simulator window to the front. > **Tip:** `build_run_sim` will automatically boot and open the simulator frontend if needed. --- ## 3. Fast Incremental Build & Run To build, install, and launch an iOS app on a simulator in one step: ```text Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "mobile-build", ToolName: "build_run_sim" Arguments: {} (when session defaults are configured) ``` If specific overrides are needed: - `scheme`: Target scheme name. - `simulator_name`: Target simulator name. - `configuration`: `"Debug"` or `"Release"`. To stop a running app on the simulator: - Call `stop_app_sim` with `bundle_id`. --- ## 4. UI Layout Inspection & Screen Analysis Just like Android CLI's `layout` and `screen` commands, iOS provides deep UI inspection: ### A. Element Tree Snapshot - Call `snapshot_ui` from `mobile-build` to extract the live element hierarchy (element types, labels, identifiers, values, and frames). ### B. Accurate Tap Coordinates & HitPoint Inspection - Use Apple's `DeviceInteractionSynthesize` (from `xcode` MCP). - This tool outputs calculated **`hitPoint`** coordinates for every visible element (e.g. `UIButton "Login", hitPoint: {125.0, 215.0}`). - **Always prefer `hitPoint`** over estimated pixel positions for touch/tap gestures. ### C. Visual Screen Capture - Call `screenshot` from `mobile-build` to capture the current simulator display to an image file. - Call `record_sim_video` to record simulator video during test execution. --- ## 5. Journey Testing (End-to-End User Flows) For testing multi-step user scenarios in natural language, refer to the **`ios-journey-testing`** skill: 1. Boot simulator and launch app (`build_run_sim` or `DeviceInteractionInstallAndRun`). 2. Perform step-by-step actions: Tap elements using `hitPoint`, enter text, swipe. 3. Verify intermediate UI states using `snapshot_ui` or `DeviceInteractionSynthesize`. 4. Capture screenshots as evidence at each milestone. 5. Generate a structured test report. --- ## 6. Official Apple Documentation Search Search authoritative Apple Developer Documentation directly using Apple's official MCP tool: ```text Tool: call_mcp_tool -> ServerName: "xcode", ToolName: "DocumentationSearch" Arguments: { "query": "Swift concurrency async let TaskGroup" } ``` Use this tool for: - API reference and signatures. - Migration guides (Swift 5 to Swift 6, iOS 26/27 new APIs). - Modern SwiftUI lifecycle, concurrency, and platform best practices. --- ## 7. SwiftUI Component Previews For rapid component verification without building the entire application: - Use the **`swiftui-preview`** skill. - Calls `RenderPreview` from `xcode` MCP to render previews of specific views and inspect layouts. --- ## 8. Unit & Integration Testing - Run tests on simulator: Call `test_sim` from `mobile-build`. Arguments: `{ "scheme": "MyAppTests", "test_plan": "..." }` - Get coverage report: Call `get_coverage_report` and `get_file_coverage`. - Run Xcode tests: Call `RunAllTests` or `RunSomeTests` from `xcode` MCP.