Chisel is a collection of LLDB commands to assist in debugging iOS apps.
Chisel addresses the friction of debugging iOS applications by extending LLDB with specialized commands that reduce the verbosity and complexity of common debugging tasks. Rather than typing lengthy LLDB expressions to inspect view hierarchies, find UI elements, or manipulate the running app, developers can invoke single-word commands. The tool works by installing Python-based command definitions into LLDB through the ~/.lldbinit configuration file, making them available whenever Xcode starts a debugging session.
Chisel suits developers who spend significant time in the debugger inspecting UI state, view hierarchies, and runtime behavior. It is particularly valuable for iOS developers working with UIKit who need to quickly visualize views, locate UI elements by class name, set watchpoints on instance variables, or trace responder chains. The tool includes commands for rendering views and images directly in Preview.app, toggling visibility and borders on UI elements without restarting the app, and setting breakpoints on methods across class hierarchies. Developers can also extend Chisel with custom commands tailored to their codebase using the provided Python utilities for argument parsing.
The project maintains a steady stream of command additions and refinements. The codebase receives regular updates addressing edge cases and expanding compatibility. Pull requests are reviewed and merged consistently, indicating active maintenance. The project welcomes community contributions through its established contributing guidelines and maintains comprehensive documentation via both inline help and a wiki.
