ios-simulator · dpearson2699 — Claude Code skill: what it does, how to install
This skill manages iOS Simulator with xcrun simctl, covering app launches, locations, permissions, logs, screenshots, and boot failure checks.
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a claude-codeWhat ios-simulator does
The skill covers the iOS Simulator device lifecycle: listing devices and runtimes, creating a device, booting, shutting down, erasing, and deleting it. It also describes building with xcodebuild, installing a .app, launching by bundle ID, passing launch arguments, and locating app containers.
With xcrun simctl, an agent can send a push payload, set coordinates or routes, grant and revoke privacy permissions, open deep links, override the status bar, capture screenshots, record video, and stream logs. The main workflow is in SKILL.md; extended command tables are in references/simctl-commands.md.
Xcode with installed Simulator runtimes and devices is required. The install step expects a .app built for the simulator architecture rather than an .ipa, so the build destination needs checking before tests run.
What it helps with
- create and boot an iOS Simulator device
- build and install a simulator
.app - test push payloads, locations, and permissions
- capture app screenshots, video, and logs
- diagnose CoreSimulator boot failures
Example prompts for the agent
- Use
ios-simulatorto buildMyAppwithxcodebuild, boot a Simulator, and install the resulting.app. - Use
ios-simulatorto sendpayload.jsontocom.example.MyAppand check its notification handling. - Use
ios-simulatorto set a location, grantphotospermission, and launch the app with--console.
How to install ios-simulator
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a claude-code2Manually: put the files in place
~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.mdCopy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/ios-simulator/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a codex2Manually: put the files in place
.agents/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.mdFor all projects use ~/.agents/skills/
1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a cursor2Manually: put the files in place
.cursor/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.mdCursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/
1GitHub CLI
gh skill install dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills ios-simulator2Manually: put the files in place
.github/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.md1Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a gemini-cli2Platform CLI
gemini skills install https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --path skills/ios-simulatorManually: put the files in place
.devin/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.mdThe legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works
Skills CLI (Vercel)
npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a opencodeClaude.ai
Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to install skills in Claude Code: five ways
Questions about ios-simulator
How do I install ios-simulator in Claude Code?
Run npx skills add dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills --skill ios-simulator -a claude-code, run the same command a second time, then check ~/.claude/skills/ios-simulator/SKILL.md.
What does ios-simulator do?
It guides agents through iOS Simulator workflows with xcrun simctl: installing and launching builds, simulating locations, managing permissions, sending push payloads, capturing video, and reading logs.
When do I need a physical iOS device?
The skill distinguishes Simulator checks from behavior that requires physical hardware, including hardware features, performance, networking, memory pressure, and some security behavior.
Similar skills
Everything for Mobile →ios-simulator by other authors comes first.
