Simulator

iOS Simulator Command

List, boot, shutdown, and manage iOS simulators using XcodeBuildMCP or xcrun simctl.

Usage

/simulator --list                    # List available simulators
/simulator --boot "iPhone 16 Pro"    # Boot simulator
/simulator --shutdown                # Shutdown booted simulator
/simulator --install MyApp.app       # Install app
/simulator --launch com.myapp.bundle # Launch app
/simulator --screenshot              # Take screenshot

Your Process

1. Reference Build Skill

   • Use ios-development/references/build.md for simulator patterns

2. Parse Action

   • --list: List available simulators
   • --boot <name>: Boot specific simulator
   • --shutdown: Shutdown booted simulator
   • --install <app>: Install app on simulator
   • --launch <bundleId>: Launch app by bundle ID
   • --screenshot: Take screenshot of simulator

3. Execute Action (MCP preferred)

   • Use MCP tools if available
   • Fallback: xcrun simctl commands via Bash

MCP Tool Usage

List Simulators

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__list_sims()

Boot Simulator

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__boot_sim({
  simulatorId: 'iPhone-16-Pro-UUID'
})
mcp__xcodebuildmcp__open_sim({
  simulatorId: 'iPhone-16-Pro-UUID'
})

Install App

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__install_app_sim({
  simulatorId: 'UUID',
  appPath: '/path/to/MyApp.app'
})

Launch App

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__launch_app_sim({
  simulatorId: 'UUID',
  bundleId: 'com.myapp.bundle'
})

Stop App

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__stop_app_sim({
  simulatorId: 'UUID',
  bundleId: 'com.myapp.bundle'
})

Screenshot

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__screenshot({
  simulatorId: 'UUID',
  outputPath: '/path/to/screenshot.png'
})

Fallback Commands (without MCP)

List

xcrun simctl list devices available

Boot

xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 16 Pro"
open -a Simulator

Shutdown

xcrun simctl shutdown booted

Install

xcrun simctl install booted MyApp.app

Launch

xcrun simctl launch booted com.myapp.bundle

Screenshot

xcrun simctl io booted screenshot screenshot.png

Rules

• Use MCP tools when available
• Always use list_sims to get device UDIDs before booting
• Shutdown simulators when done to free resources
• Use simulator for faster iteration, device for final validation
• Provide clear feedback on action results

Completion Report

## Simulator Operation Complete

### Action
- [Action performed]: Success / Failed

### Simulator Details
- Device: iPhone 16 Pro
- UDID: [UUID]
- Status: Booted / Shutdown

### App Details (if applicable)
- Bundle ID: com.myapp.bundle
- App Path: /path/to/MyApp.app

### Output
- [Any output from the operation]

### Next Steps
- [ ] Run app
- [ ] Run tests
- [ ] Take screenshot