# doublespeed — Xcode as an API

Give a coding agent remote Mac tools to build, test, and run iOS apps. Useful when your machine lacks Xcode.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI
- Author: doublespeed-main
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/doublespeed-main/mcp
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/doublespeed-xcode-as-an-api

## What it does

The server can locate Xcode projects and schemes, validate Swift files and plist files, compile for an iOS simulator, run tests, and create an unsigned `.xcarchive`. It supports native iOS apps, React Native, and Expo. `build_run_sim` provides a browser link to the running simulator.

You need Node 20+. `check_project` runs without a key; the other tools require `DS_API_KEY`. That means you can inspect a project without credentials, but remote builds and runs need the key. Files are sent from `workspaceRoot`, which defaults to the project directory. Code signing and TestFlight uploads are not supported.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)
- Environment variables: `DS_API_KEY` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add mcp -e DS_API_KEY=<DS_API_KEY> -- npx -y @doublespeed/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add doublespeed-xcode-as-an-api --env DS_API_KEY=<DS_API_KEY> -- npx -y @doublespeed/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "doublespeed-xcode-as-an-api": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@doublespeed/mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "DS_API_KEY": "<DS_API_KEY>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "doublespeed-xcode-as-an-api": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@doublespeed/mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "DS_API_KEY": "<DS_API_KEY>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e DS_API_KEY=<DS_API_KEY> doublespeed-xcode-as-an-api npx -y @doublespeed/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

## When to use it
- locate an Xcode project and its schemes
- validate Swift and plist files without compiling
- build an iOS app for a simulator
- run XCTest or Swift Testing
- create an unsigned `.xcarchive`

## Example prompts
- Find the Xcode project and its schemes in the workspace.
- Check the Swift files and plist files without building the app.
- Build the app, run its tests, and report each test result.

## Similar
- [xcode-project-setup](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/xcode-project-setup.md) — skill · 131600 installs
- [limrun-xcode-bazel](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/limrun-xcode-bazel.md) — skill · 43100 installs
- [limrun-xcode](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/limrun-xcode.md) — skill · 43100 installs
- [asc-xcode-build](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/asc-xcode-build.md) — skill · 7600 installs
- [xcode-build-orchestrator](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/xcode-build-orchestrator.md) — skill · 3600 installs
- [xcode-build-fixer](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/xcode-build-fixer.md) — skill · 3600 installs

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md