Xcodebuild with xcsift

Fallback workflow for invoking shell xcodebuild when Xcode MCP cannot perform the required build or test operation.

Select the execution route

1. Prefer the relevant Xcode MCP tool for builds, tests, diagnostics, SwiftUI previews, Apple documentation, and Swift snippets when it is available.
2. Use this shell workflow only when Xcode MCP is unavailable, its connection fails, or it does not expose the required operation.
3. Treat compilation errors and failing tests returned by Xcode MCP as real results. Diagnose them through Xcode MCP instead of repeating the same operation with shell xcodebuild.
4. Use one route for a verification cycle. Never run Xcode MCP and shell builds/tests concurrently.

Once the shell fallback is necessary, apply the rules and templates below.

Core rules

• Always pipe xcodebuild output to xcsift.
• Always redirect stderr to stdout before piping:

  xcodebuild ... 2>&1 | xcsift ...

• Prefer set -o pipefail so xcodebuild failures are not hidden by the pipe.
• Do not call xcsift --help just to remember common syntax; use the templates below.
• Only check command -v xcsift when availability is genuinely uncertain or a command fails because xcsift is missing.
• Use project-local instructions first for workspace/project, scheme, destination, and test plan names.
• Prefer -workspace <Name>.xcworkspace whenever an .xcworkspace exists. Use -project <Name>.xcodeproj only when no workspace is available or project-local instructions explicitly require it.
• If multiple workspaces are available and project-local instructions do not identify the intended one, ask before running xcodebuild.
• Build/test verification may create derived artifacts, but must not edit source, schemes, project settings, or system permissions unless that change is authorized.

Common templates

Build an Xcode workspace preferred

Use this whenever an .xcworkspace exists:

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild \
  -workspace <WorkspaceName>.xcworkspace \
  -scheme "<Scheme Name>" \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
  build \
  2>&1 | xcsift --quiet

Build an Xcode project fallback

Use this only when no .xcworkspace exists or project-local instructions explicitly require the project:

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild \
  -project <ProjectName>.xcodeproj \
  -scheme "<Scheme Name>" \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
  build \
  2>&1 | xcsift --quiet

Run tests

Prefer the workspace form when an .xcworkspace exists:

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild \
  -workspace <WorkspaceName>.xcworkspace \
  -scheme "<Scheme Name>" \
  -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=<Simulator Name>' \
  test \
  2>&1 | xcsift --quiet

Use -project <ProjectName>.xcodeproj instead only when no workspace is available or project-local instructions explicitly require it.

Include warning details

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild ... 2>&1 | xcsift --warnings

Treat warnings as failures

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild ... 2>&1 | xcsift --Werror

TOON output for compact summaries

set -o pipefail
xcodebuild ... 2>&1 | xcsift --format toon --quiet

Reporting results

After a command finishes, summarize:

• command purpose: build/test
• status: success/failure
• errors count
• failed tests count, if any
• warnings count, if present
• notable error messages or failing test names