iOS Simulator Skill

Install

/plugin marketplace add conorluddy/ios-simulator-skill
/plugin install ios-simulator-skill@conorluddy

This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.

What it does

The skill gives the agent Python and shell scripts on top of xcodebuild, xcrun simctl and idb. Builds and tests parse xcresult bundles with progressive error disclosure so logs do not flood context. UI navigation relies on the accessibility tree: the agent gets a short element list, finds a button or field by text, type or id, and taps or types without screenshot analysis. Scripts also cover gestures, keyboard, logs, accessibility checks, visual diffs and simulator lifecycle.

Who it is for. For iOS developers on macOS who let an agent build, run and verify apps in the simulator.

Example request

Build the app, launch it in the simulator, log in with a test email and check the home screen opens

Limitations

Requires macOS 15+, Xcode 26+, Python 3.12 and idb 1.5.1+ from the facebook/fb tap. On Xcode 27 an older idb-companion silently drops taps. Pillow is needed only for visual diffs.

How to disable. Uninstall the plugin via /plugin or delete ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator-skill.

Security check

• Runs scripts and builds and controls simulators on the machine

README in short

The README covers both sides: builds via xcodebuild and simulator control via simctl and idb. Install via the Claude Code plugin marketplace, a release archive or by copying the skill folder from a clone. It details prerequisites, installing and updating idb, and Xcode 27 specifics where Simulator.app is replaced by DeviceHub. MIT licensed.

SKILL.md

---
name: ios-simulator-skill
version: 1.5.0
description: 29 production-ready scripts for iOS app testing, building, and automation. Provides semantic UI navigation, build automation, accessibility testing, and simulator lifecycle management. Optimized for AI agents with minimal token output.
---

# iOS Simulator Skill

Build, test, and automate iOS applications using accessibility-driven navigation and structured data instead of pixel coordinates.

## Quick Start

```bash
# 1. Check environment
bash scripts/sim_health_check.sh

# 2. Launch app
python scripts/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app

# 3. Map screen to see elements
python scripts/screen_mapper.py

# 4. Tap button
python scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap

# 5. Enter text
python scripts/navigator.py --find-type TextField --enter-text "user@example.com"
```

All scripts support `--help` for detailed options and `--json` for machine-readable output.

## Navigation Strategy

**Always prefer the accessibility tree over screenshots for navigation.** The accessibility tree gives you element types, labels, frames, and tap targets — structured data that's cheaper and more reliable than image analysis.

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