simctl-mcp

simctl-mcp

9

The simctl-mcp project is a Model Context Protocol server designed for controlling iOS Simulators. It offers comprehensive management features for devices and apps, including installation, launch, and permission handling, as well as advanced system functionalities like URL simulation and media management.

simctl-mcp

A Model Context Protocol server implementation for iOS Simulator control.

Config

.cursor/mcp.json or .vscode/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "simctl-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "simctl-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Prompts

Some examples of prompts:

  • What operations does the simulator support?
  • Open shortcuts://
  • What is the bundle ID of the "Settings" app?
  • Set clipboard content to: Hello
  • What is the simulator SDK version?
  • Generate an Appium connection string for the "Settings" app

Usage

The server can be started in two modes:

  1. STDIO Mode (default)
  2. HTTP Server Mode

STDIO Mode

In STDIO mode, the server communicates through standard input/output streams.

npx simctl-mcp

HTTP Server Mode

In HTTP server mode, the server listens for HTTP connections on a specified port.

# Start with default port (8081)
npx simctl-mcp --http

# Start with custom port using --port flag
npx simctl-mcp --http --port 3000

# Start with custom port using environment variable
PORT=3000 npx simctl-mcp --http

Tools

Device Management:

  • Create new simulator devices
  • Delete existing devices
  • Boot devices
  • Shutdown devices
  • List all available devices
  • List available device types
  • List available runtimes

App Management:

  • Install apps
  • Uninstall apps
  • Launch apps
  • Terminate running apps
  • Get app container path
  • Get app information
  • List installed apps

App Permissions:

  • Grant permissions to apps
  • Revoke app permissions
  • Reset all app permissions

System Features:

  • Open URLs in simulator
  • Add media files
  • Get/Set environment variables
  • Get/Set appearance (light/dark mode)
  • Send simulated push notifications

Certificate & Security:

  • Add root certificates
  • Add regular certificates
  • Reset keychain

Media & Content:

  • Take screenshots
  • Get/Set pasteboard content (clipboard)