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| 1 | |
| 2 | name xcode-mcp |
| 3 | description Guidelines for efficient Xcode MCP tool usage. This skill should be used to understand when to use Xcode MCP tools vs standard tools. Xcode MCP consumes many tokens - use only for build, test, simulator, preview, and SourceKit diagnostics. Never use for file read/write/grep operations. |
| 4 | |
| 5 | |
| 6 | # Xcode MCP Usage Guidelines |
| 7 | |
| 8 | Xcode MCP tools consume significant tokens. This skill defines when to use Xcode MCP and when to prefer standard tools. |
| 9 | |
| 10 | ## Complete Xcode MCP Tools Reference |
| 11 | |
| 12 | ### Window & Project Management |
| 13 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 14 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 15 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeListWindows` | List open Xcode windows (get tabIdentifier) | Low ✓ | |
| 16 | |
| 17 | ### Build Operations |
| 18 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 19 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 20 | | `mcp__xcode__BuildProject` | Build the Xcode project | Medium ✓ | |
| 21 | | `mcp__xcode__GetBuildLog` | Get build log with errors/warnings | Medium ✓ | |
| 22 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeListNavigatorIssues` | List issues in Issue Navigator | Low ✓ | |
| 23 | |
| 24 | ### Testing |
| 25 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 26 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 27 | | `mcp__xcode__GetTestList` | Get available tests from test plan | Low ✓ | |
| 28 | | `mcp__xcode__RunAllTests` | Run all tests | Medium | |
| 29 | | `mcp__xcode__RunSomeTests` | Run specific tests (preferred) | Medium ✓ | |
| 30 | |
| 31 | ### Preview & Execution |
| 32 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 33 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 34 | | `mcp__xcode__RenderPreview` | Render SwiftUI Preview snapshot | Medium ✓ | |
| 35 | | `mcp__xcode__ExecuteSnippet` | Execute code snippet in file context | Medium ✓ | |
| 36 | |
| 37 | ### Diagnostics |
| 38 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 39 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 40 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeRefreshCodeIssuesInFile` | Get compiler diagnostics for specific file | Low ✓ | |
| 41 | | `mcp__ide__getDiagnostics` | Get SourceKit diagnostics (all open files) | Low ✓ | |
| 42 | |
| 43 | ### Documentation |
| 44 | | Tool | Description | Token Cost | |
| 45 | |------|-------------|------------| |
| 46 | | `mcp__xcode__DocumentationSearch` | Search Apple Developer Documentation | Low ✓ | |
| 47 | |
| 48 | ### File Operations (HIGH TOKEN - NEVER USE) |
| 49 | | Tool | Alternative | Why | |
| 50 | |------|-------------|-----| |
| 51 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeRead` | `Read` tool | High token consumption | |
| 52 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeWrite` | `Write` tool | High token consumption | |
| 53 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeUpdate` | `Edit` tool | High token consumption | |
| 54 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeGrep` | `rg` / `Grep` tool | High token consumption | |
| 55 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeGlob` | `Glob` tool | High token consumption | |
| 56 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeLS` | `ls` command | High token consumption | |
| 57 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeRM` | `rm` command | High token consumption | |
| 58 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeMakeDir` | `mkdir` command | High token consumption | |
| 59 | | `mcp__xcode__XcodeMV` | `mv` command | High token consumption | |
| 60 | |
| 61 | |
| 62 | |
| 63 | ## Recommended Workflows |
| 64 | |
| 65 | ### 1. Code Change & Build Flow |
| 66 | |
| 67 | 1. Search code → rg "pattern" --type swift |
| 68 | 2. Read file → Read tool |
| 69 | 3. Edit file → Edit tool |
| 70 | 4. Syntax check → mcp__ide__getDiagnostics |
| 71 | 5. Build → mcp__xcode__BuildProject |
| 72 | 6. Check errors → mcp__xcode__GetBuildLog (if build fails) |
| 73 | |
| 74 | |
| 75 | ### 2. Test Writing & Running Flow |
| 76 | |
| 77 | 1. Read test file → Read tool |
| 78 | 2. Write/edit test → Edit tool |
| 79 | 3. Get test list → mcp__xcode__GetTestList |
| 80 | 4. Run tests → mcp__xcode__RunSomeTests (specific tests) |
| 81 | 5. Check results → Review test output |
| 82 | |
| 83 | |
| 84 | ### 3. SwiftUI Preview Flow |
| 85 | |
| 86 | 1. Edit view → Edit tool |
| 87 | 2. Render preview → mcp__xcode__RenderPreview |
| 88 | 3. Iterate → Repeat as needed |
| 89 | |
| 90 | |
| 91 | ### 4. Debug Flow |
| 92 | |
| 93 | 1. Check diagnostics → mcp__ide__getDiagnostics (quick syntax check) |
| 94 | 2. Build project → mcp__xcode__BuildProject |
| 95 | 3. Get build log → mcp__xcode__GetBuildLog (severity: error) |
| 96 | 4. Fix issues → Edit tool |
| 97 | 5. Rebuild → mcp__xcode__BuildProject |
| 98 | |
| 99 | |
| 100 | ### 5. Documentation Search |
| 101 | |
| 102 | 1. Search docs → mcp__xcode__DocumentationSearch |
| 103 | 2. Review results → Use information in implementation |
| 104 | |
| 105 | |
| 106 | |
| 107 | |
| 108 | ## Fallback Commands (When MCP Unavailable) |
| 109 | |
| 110 | If Xcode MCP is disconnected or unavailable, use these xcodebuild commands: |
| 111 | |
| 112 | ### Build Commands |
| 113 | |
| 114 | # Debug build (simulator) - replace <SchemeName> with your project's scheme |
| 115 | xcodebuild -scheme <SchemeName> -configuration Debug -sdk iphonesimulator build |
| 116 | |
| 117 | # Release build (device) |
| 118 | xcodebuild -scheme <SchemeName> -configuration Release -sdk iphoneos build |
| 119 | |
| 120 | # Build with workspace (for CocoaPods projects) |
| 121 | xcodebuild -workspace <ProjectName>.xcworkspace -scheme <SchemeName> -configuration Debug -sdk iphonesimulator build |
| 122 | |
| 123 | # Build with project file |
| 124 | xcodebuild -project <ProjectName>.xcodeproj -scheme <SchemeName> -configuration Debug -sdk iphonesimulator build |
| 125 | |
| 126 | # List available schemes |
| 127 | xcodebuild -list |
| 128 | |
| 129 | |
| 130 | ### Test Commands |
| 131 | |
| 132 | # Run all tests |
| 133 | xcodebuild test -scheme <SchemeName> -sdk iphonesimulator \ |
| 134 | -destination "platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 16" \ |
| 135 | -configuration Debug |
| 136 | |
| 137 | # Run specific test class |
| 138 | xcodebuild test -scheme <SchemeName> -sdk iphonesimulator \ |
| 139 | -destination "platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 16" \ |
| 140 | -only-testing:<TestTarget>/<TestClassName> |
| 141 | |
| 142 | # Run specific test method |
| 143 | xcodebuild test -scheme <SchemeName> -sdk iphonesimulator \ |
| 144 | -destination "platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 16" \ |
| 145 | -only-testing:<TestTarget>/<TestClassName>/<testMethodName> |
| 146 | |
| 147 | # Run with code coverage |
| 148 | xcodebuild test -scheme <SchemeName> -sdk iphonesimulator \ |
| 149 | -configuration Debug -enableCodeCoverage YES |
| 150 | |
| 151 | # List available simulators |
| 152 | xcrun simctl list devices available |
| 153 | |
| 154 | |
| 155 | ### Clean Build |
| 156 | |
| 157 | xcodebuild clean -scheme <SchemeName> |
| 158 | |
| 159 | |
| 160 | |
| 161 | |
| 162 | |
| 163 | ## Quick Reference |
| 164 | |
| 165 | ### USE Xcode MCP For: |
| 166 | ✅ `BuildProject` - Building |
| 167 | ✅ `GetBuildLog` - Build errors |
| 168 | ✅ `RunSomeTests` - Running specific tests |
| 169 | ✅ `GetTestList` - Listing tests |
| 170 | ✅ `RenderPreview` - SwiftUI previews |
| 171 | ✅ `ExecuteSnippet` - Code execution |
| 172 | ✅ `DocumentationSearch` - Apple docs |
| 173 | ✅ `XcodeListWindows` - Get tabIdentifier |
| 174 | ✅ `mcp__ide__getDiagnostics` - SourceKit errors |
| 175 | |
| 176 | ### NEVER USE Xcode MCP For: |
| 177 | ❌ `XcodeRead` → Use `Read` tool |
| 178 | ❌ `XcodeWrite` → Use `Write` tool |
| 179 | ❌ `XcodeUpdate` → Use `Edit` tool |
| 180 | ❌ `XcodeGrep` → Use `rg` or `Grep` tool |
| 181 | ❌ `XcodeGlob` → Use `Glob` tool |
| 182 | ❌ `XcodeLS` → Use `ls` command |
| 183 | ❌ File operations → Use standard tools |
| 184 | |
| 185 | |
| 186 | |
| 187 | ## Token Efficiency Summary |
| 188 | |
| 189 | | Operation | Best Choice | Token Impact | |
| 190 | |-----------|-------------|--------------| |
| 191 | | Quick syntax check | `mcp__ide__getDiagnostics` | 🟢 Low | |
| 192 | | Full build | `mcp__xcode__BuildProject` | 🟡 Medium | |
| 193 | | Run specific tests | `mcp__xcode__RunSomeTests` | 🟡 Medium | |
| 194 | | Run all tests | `mcp__xcode__RunAllTests` | 🟠 High | |
| 195 | | Read file | `Read` tool | 🟠 High | |
| 196 | | Edit file | `Edit` tool | 🟠 High| |
| 197 | | Search code | `rg` / `Grep` | 🟢 Low | |
| 198 | | List files | `ls` / `Glob` | 🟢 Low | |
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