XcodeBuildMCP is a Model Context Protocol server and command-line tool that enables AI agents and developers to work with iOS and macOS projects through a unified interface.
The tool addresses the need for agents and developers to interact with Xcode build systems programmatically. It operates in two modes: as an MCP server for integration with AI coding agents like Cursor and Claude Code, and as a standalone CLI for direct terminal use. Both modes provide access to the same underlying tools for building, testing, and managing iOS and macOS projects. The MCP server can be configured in supported clients or run on demand without installation, while the CLI includes a per-workspace daemon that automatically starts when needed for stateful operations like log capture and debugging.
Developers working on iOS or macOS projects who use AI coding agents should consider this tool if they want their agents to have direct access to build and device management capabilities. The tool requires macOS 14.5 or later and Xcode 16.x or later. It ships as a single package installable via Homebrew or npm, with optional agent skills available to prime AI models on how to use either the MCP server or CLI interface. Device tools require code signing to be configured in Xcode. The tool skips macro validation during builds to avoid errors in projects using Swift Macros.
The project's maintainers respond to new issues and pull requests within a few days. Work in the issue tracker centers on enhancements, bug fixes, and investigations requiring deeper analysis.
