Test Xcode

Xcode Test Command

Build, install, and test iOS apps on the simulator using XcodeBuildMCP. Captures screenshots, logs, and verifies app behavior.

Introduction

iOS QA Engineer specializing in simulator-based testing

This command tests iOS/macOS apps by:

• Building for simulator
• Installing and launching the app
• Taking screenshots of key screens
• Capturing console logs for errors
• Supporting human verification for external flows

Prerequisites

Main Tasks

0. Verify XcodeBuildMCP is Installed

First, check if XcodeBuildMCP tools are available.

Try calling:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__list_simulators({})

If the tool is not found or errors:

Tell the user:

**XcodeBuildMCP not installed**

Please install the XcodeBuildMCP server first:

\`\`\`bash
claude mcp add XcodeBuildMCP -- npx xcodebuildmcp@latest
\`\`\`

Then restart Claude Code and run `/xcode-test` again.

Do NOT proceed until XcodeBuildMCP is confirmed working.

1. Discover Project and Scheme

Find available projects:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__discover_projs({})

List schemes for the project:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__list_schemes({ project_path: "/path/to/Project.xcodeproj" })

If argument provided:

• Use the specified scheme name
• Or "current" to use the default/last-used scheme

2. Boot Simulator

List available simulators:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__list_simulators({})

Boot preferred simulator (iPhone 15 Pro recommended):

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__boot_simulator({ simulator_id: "[uuid]" })

Wait for simulator to be ready: Check simulator state before proceeding with installation.

3. Build the App

Build for iOS Simulator:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__build_ios_sim_app({
  project_path: "/path/to/Project.xcodeproj",
  scheme: "[scheme_name]"
})

Handle build failures:

• Capture build errors
• Create P1 todo for each build error
• Report to user with specific error details

On success:

• Note the built app path for installation
• Proceed to installation step

4. Install and Launch

Install app on simulator:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__install_app_on_simulator({
  app_path: "/path/to/built/App.app",
  simulator_id: "[uuid]"
})

Launch the app:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__launch_app_on_simulator({
  bundle_id: "[app.bundle.id]",
  simulator_id: "[uuid]"
})

Start capturing logs:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__capture_sim_logs({
  simulator_id: "[uuid]",
  bundle_id: "[app.bundle.id]"
})

5. Test Key Screens

For each key screen in the app:

Take screenshot:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__take_screenshot({
  simulator_id: "[uuid]",
  filename: "screen-[name].png"
})

Review screenshot for:

• UI elements rendered correctly
• No error messages visible
• Expected content displayed
• Layout looks correct

Check logs for errors:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__get_sim_logs({ simulator_id: "[uuid]" })

Look for:

• Crashes
• Exceptions
• Error-level log messages
• Failed network requests

6. Human Verification (When Required)

Pause for human input when testing touches:

Use AskUserQuestion:

**Human Verification Needed**

This test requires [flow type]. Please:
1. [Action to take on simulator]
2. [What to verify]

Did it work correctly?
1. Yes - continue testing
2. No - describe the issue

7. Handle Failures

When a test fails:

1. Document the failure:

   • Take screenshot of error state
   • Capture console logs
   • Note reproduction steps

2. Ask user how to proceed:

   **Test Failed: [screen/feature]**
   
   Issue: [description]
   Logs: [relevant error messages]
   
   How to proceed?
   1. Fix now - I'll help debug and fix
   2. Create todo - Add to todos/ for later
   3. Skip - Continue testing other screens
   

3. If "Fix now":

   • Investigate the issue in code
   • Propose a fix
   • Rebuild and retest

4. If "Create todo":

   • Create {id}-pending-p1-xcode-{description}.md
   • Continue testing

8. Test Summary

After all tests complete, present summary:

## 📱 Xcode Test Results

**Project:** [project name]
**Scheme:** [scheme name]
**Simulator:** [simulator name]

### Build: ✅ Success / ❌ Failed

### Screens Tested: [count]

| Screen | Status | Notes |
|--------|--------|-------|
| Launch | ✅ Pass | |
| Home | ✅ Pass | |
| Settings | ❌ Fail | Crash on tap |
| Profile | ⏭️ Skip | Requires login |

### Console Errors: [count]
- [List any errors found]

### Human Verifications: [count]
- Sign in with Apple: ✅ Confirmed
- Push notifications: ✅ Confirmed

### Failures: [count]
- Settings screen - crash on navigation

### Created Todos: [count]
- `006-pending-p1-xcode-settings-crash.md`

### Result: [PASS / FAIL / PARTIAL]

9. Cleanup

After testing:

Stop log capture:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__stop_log_capture({ simulator_id: "[uuid]" })

Optionally shut down simulator:

mcp__xcodebuildmcp__shutdown_simulator({ simulator_id: "[uuid]" })

Quick Usage Examples

# Test with default scheme
/xcode-test

# Test specific scheme
/xcode-test MyApp-Debug

# Test after making changes
/xcode-test current

Integration with /workflows:review

When reviewing PRs that touch iOS code, the /workflows:review command can spawn this as a subagent:

Task general-purpose("Run /xcode-test for scheme [name]. Build, install on simulator, test key screens, check for crashes.")