# Axiom Xcode MCP

Use when connecting to Xcode via MCP, using xcrun mcpbridge or the headless mcp-server...

- Repository: https://github.com/CharlesWiltgen/Axiom (1242 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-10-31
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add CharlesWiltgen/Axiom --skill axiom-xcode-mcp -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add CharlesWiltgen/Axiom --skill axiom-xcode-mcp -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add CharlesWiltgen/Axiom --skill axiom-xcode-mcp -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add CharlesWiltgen/Axiom --skill axiom-xcode-mcp -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add CharlesWiltgen/Axiom`

## Description

Use when connecting to Xcode via MCP, using xcrun mcpbridge or the headless mcp-server, or working with ANY Xcode MCP tool (XcodeRead, BuildProject, RunSomeTests, RenderPreview). Covers setup, tool reference, workflows, troubleshooting.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Xcode MCP

**You MUST use this skill for ANY Xcode MCP interaction, setup, tool usage, workflow patterns, or troubleshooting.**

**Bundled tools on Claude Code:** if `command -v <tool>` finds nothing (hooks off or `--bare`), use `<plugin-root>/tools/<tool>` in place of the bare name; `<plugin-root>` is two levels above this skill's `Base directory for this skill:` path.

Xcode ships an MCP server exposing IDE tools to external AI clients. `xcrun mcpbridge` is the stdio transport clients register, available since Xcode 26.3. Xcode 27 adds an explicit "Allow External Agents to Use Xcode Tools" setting, the `run-agent` launch path, an agent-extension model (custom MCP servers, skills, plug-ins), and a headless server. This skill suite covers setup, tool reference, workflow patterns, and troubleshooting.

**On Xcode 26.x, mcpbridge requires a running Xcode with a project open.** If that's a liability, the device/simulator half of these operations has a fully Xcode-independent CLI path: `devicectl` + `simctl` + Axiom's `xcui`/`xclog`/`xcsym`/`xcprof`. See `axiom-tools (skills/device-control-ref.md)`.

**That constraint is gone on Xcode 27.** `xcrun mcp-server` runs the tool service with Xcode.app closed, `sudo xcrun mcp-server enable`, then `xcrun mcp-server open <project-or-workspace-path>`, which launches the service if needed. Clients still register `xcrun mcpbridge`; the bridge is the transport, `mcp-server` is the service. Apple's tool schemas describe `workspaceIdentifier` as "used in headless mode", so headless is a supported model rather than a workaround.

The rest: https://github.com/CharlesWiltgen/Axiom/blob/HEAD/.claude-plugin/plugins/axiom/skills/axiom-xcode-mcp/SKILL.md