iOS Simulator Skill for Claude Code
Production-ready automation for iOS app testing and building. 21 scripts optimized for both human developers and AI agents.
This is basically a Skill version of my XCode MCP: https://github.com/conorluddy/xc-mcp
MCPs load a lot of tokens into the context window when they're active, but also seem to work really well. Skills don't load in any context. I'll make a plugin next and try to find the balance...
Updated: The Plugin version lets you easily disable MCPs for different tool groups. Optimise your context window by only enabling the tools you're actively using, such as xcodebuild: https://github.com/conorluddy/xclaude-plugin
What It Does
Instead of pixel-based navigation that breaks when UI changes:
# Fragile - breaks if UI changes
idb ui tap 320 400
# Robust - finds by meaning
python scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap
Uses semantic navigation on accessibility APIs to interact with elements by their meaning, not coordinates. Works across different screen sizes and survives UI redesigns.
Features
- 21 production scripts for building, testing, and automation
- Semantic navigation - find elements by text, type, or ID
- Token optimized - 96% reduction vs raw tools (3-5 lines default)
- Zero configuration - works immediately on macOS with Xcode
- Structured output - JSON and formatted text, easy to parse
- Auto-UDID detection - no need to specify device each time
- Batch operations - boot, delete, erase multiple simulators at once
- Comprehensive testing - WCAG compliance, visual diffs, accessibility audits
- CI/CD ready - JSON output, exit codes, automated device lifecycle
Installation
As Claude Code Skill
# Personal installation
git clone https://github.com/conorluddy/ios-simulator-skill.git ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill
# Project installation
git clone https://github.com/conorluddy/ios-simulator-skill.git .claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill
Restart Claude Code. The skill loads automatically.
From Release
# Download latest release
curl -L https://github.com/conorluddy/ios-simulator-skill/releases/download/vX.X.X/ios-simulator-skill-vX.X.X.zip -o skill.zip
# Extract
unzip skill.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill
Prerequisites
- macOS 12+
- Xcode Command Line Tools (
xcode-select --install
)
- Python 3
- IDB (optional, for interactive features:
brew tap facebook/fb && brew install idb-companion
)
Quick Start
# 1. Check environment
bash ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/sim_health_check.sh
# 2. Launch your app
python ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app
# 3. See what's on screen
python ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/screen_mapper.py
# Output:
# Screen: LoginViewController (45 elements, 7 interactive)
# Buttons: "Login", "Cancel", "Forgot Password"
# TextFields: 2 (0 filled)
# 4. Tap login button
python ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap
# 5. Enter text
python ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/navigator.py --find-type TextField --enter-text "user@test.com"
# 6. Check accessibility
python ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill/scripts/accessibility_audit.py
21 Scripts Organized by Category
Build & Development
- build_and_test.py - Build projects, run tests, parse results
- log_monitor.py - Real-time log monitoring
Navigation & Interaction
- screen_mapper.py - Analyze current screen
- navigator.py - Find and interact with elements
- gesture.py - Swipes, scrolls, pinches
- keyboard.py - Text input and hardware buttons
- app_launcher.py - App lifecycle control
Testing & Analysis
- accessibility_audit.py - WCAG compliance checking
- visual_diff.py - Screenshot comparison
- test_recorder.py - Automated test documentation
- app_state_capture.py - Debugging snapshots
- sim_health_check.sh - Environment verification
Advanced Testing & Permissions
- clipboard.py - Clipboard management
- status_bar.py - Status bar control
- push_notification.py - Push notifications
- privacy_manager.py - Permission management
Device Lifecycle
- simctl_boot.py - Boot simulator
- simctl_shutdown.py - Shutdown simulator
- simctl_create.py - Create simulator
- simctl_delete.py - Delete simulator
- simctl_erase.py - Factory reset
See SKILL.md for complete reference.
How It Works with Claude Code
Claude Code automatically detects when to use this skill based on your request. You don't need to manually invoke it.
Example conversation:
You: "Set up my iOS app for testing"
Claude: [Uses simctl_boot.py and app_launcher.py automatically]
You: "Tap the login button"
Claude: [Uses navigator.py to find and ta
## Examples
### Example 1: Login Flow
```bash
# Launch app
python scripts/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app
# Map screen to find fields
python scripts/screen_mapper.py
# Enter credentials
python scripts/navigator.py --find-type TextField --index 0 --enter-text "user@test.com"
python scripts/navigator.py --find-type SecureTextField --enter-text "password"
# Tap login
python scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap
# Verify accessibility
python scripts/accessibility_audit.py
