Xcode MCP Server

The Xcode MCP Server bridges the gap between AI assistants and Apple’s Xcode development environment. By exposing a Model Context Protocol (MCP) interface, it allows assistants such as Claude or Cursor to programmatically explore, build, test, and debug Xcode projects directly from natural‑language prompts. This eliminates the need for manual IDE interactions, enabling a seamless AI‑driven workflow that can accelerate coding, troubleshooting, and documentation.

At its core, the server interprets MCP requests to perform common Xcode tasks. It can discover and navigate project directories, list source files, and present the full file tree. For building, it triggers Xcode’s command to compile iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS targets, capturing compiler output and filtering errors or warnings as requested. The server also manages simulators, allowing the AI to launch, stop, and query device status. Test execution is fully supported: tests can be run on a specified target, with detailed failure reports returned to the assistant. Debugging assistance comes from fetching build logs and console output, while screenshots of both the Xcode UI and simulator screens can be captured on demand.

Developers benefit from a single point of entry for all Xcode interactions. A conversation with an AI can initiate a build, report failures, and even suggest code fixes—all without leaving the chat interface. This is particularly useful for rapid prototyping, onboarding new team members, or automating repetitive tasks like running unit tests after every commit. The server’s ability to retrieve directory structures and file contents also supports code generation, refactoring suggestions, and documentation generation directly within the assistant’s context.

Key capabilities include:

• Project discovery across user‑specified or home directories, with path‑based security controls.
• Build orchestration for multiple Apple platforms, customizable warning visibility.
• Test execution and reporting, exposing failures in a concise format.
• Simulator management (start, stop, status) and screenshot capture for visual debugging.
• Console output streaming, enabling real‑time monitoring of running applications.

Integration is straightforward: once the MCP server is registered in a client’s configuration (via Claude Code, Claude Desktop, or Cursor AI), the assistant can issue high‑level commands such as “Build the project at …” or “Show me the build errors.” The server translates these into Xcode operations, returning structured results that the assistant can present or act upon. Because the server runs locally on macOS, it respects user permissions and can restrict access to specific folders using environment variables, ensuring secure operation.

In summary, the Xcode MCP Server empowers AI assistants to become full‑blown Xcode collaborators. By automating discovery, build, test, and debug workflows, it reduces context switching, speeds up feedback loops, and opens new possibilities for AI‑augmented software development on Apple platforms.