# macos-build

Directs AI agents to compile native macOS apps using xcodebuild and diagnose build errors from the terminal.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 609 installs · ★ 681
- Author: fayazara
- License: not stated · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/fayazara/macos-app-skills/tree/HEAD/build/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-05-27
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/macos-build

## What it does

This skill guides coding agents through locating `.xcodeproj` or `.xcworkspace` files and listing available build schemes. When invoked, the agent runs `xcodebuild` with `Debug` configuration targeting the macOS platform, filtering terminal output to highlight compilation errors and line numbers.

It also addresses toolchain issues such as unresolved Swift Package Manager dependencies and code signing settings. Guidance includes selecting alternate toolchains via `DEVELOPER_DIR` for beta SDKs. If Xcode or command-line developer tools are missing on the host, build commands will fail immediately.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill macos-build -a claude-code
```
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill build -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/build/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/build/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill build -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/build/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill build -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/build/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install fayazara/macos-app-skills build
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/build/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill build -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/fayazara/macos-app-skills --path build
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/build/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add fayazara/macos-app-skills --skill build -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/fayazara/macos-app-skills/tree/HEAD/build/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- compile native macOS projects via command-line xcodebuild
- verify code changes compile without launch errors
- inspect available schemes inside xcodeproj and xcworkspace
- diagnose Swift compiler errors from filtered terminal logs

## Example prompts
- Build the macOS app and check if it compiles
- Run xcodebuild to verify my recent code changes
- Fix build errors and run a debug build

## Similar
- [build-macos-apps](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/plugins/build-macos-apps.md) — plugin · ★ 7596
- [axiom-build](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/axiom-build.md) — skill · 1300 installs
- [build-run-debug](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/build-run-debug.md) — skill · 60 installs
- [xcode-build-benchmark](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/xcode-build-benchmark.md) — skill · 3400 installs
- [macos-spm-app-packaging](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/macos-spm-app-packaging.md) — skill · 1400 installs
- [asc-xcode-build](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/asc-xcode-build.md) — skill · 7600 installs

From the same set: [fayazara/macos-app-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/fayazara/macos-app-skills.md) — 6 cards

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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