Agent skill
using-xtool
This skill should be used when building iOS apps with xtool (Xcode-free iOS development), creating xtool projects, adding app extensions, or configuring xtool.yml. Triggers on "xtool", "SwiftPM iOS", "iOS on Linux", "iOS on Windows", "Xcode-free", "app extension", "widget extension", "share extension". Covers project setup, app extensions, and deployment.
Install this agent skill to your Project
npx add-skill https://github.com/2389-research/claude-plugins/tree/main/xtool/skills
SKILL.md
Using xtool
Overview
xtool is a cross-platform Xcode replacement for building iOS apps with SwiftPM on Linux, Windows, and macOS. It is NOT XcodeGen, Tuist, or Xcode project files.
Critical: xtool is NOT XcodeGen
| xtool Uses | NOT These |
|---|---|
xtool.yml |
project.yml, Project.swift |
Package.swift (SwiftPM) |
Xcode project files |
xtool dev |
xtool build, xtool run, xtool generate |
Sources/ directory |
Extensions/ directory |
Project Structure
MyApp/
├── Package.swift # SwiftPM package definition
├── xtool.yml # xtool configuration
├── Sources/
│ ├── MyApp/ # Main app target
│ │ ├── MyAppApp.swift
│ │ └── ContentView.swift
│ └── MyWidget/ # Extension target (if any)
│ └── Widget.swift
├── MyApp-Info.plist # Optional custom Info.plist
└── MyWidget-Info.plist # Required for extensions
Quick Reference: Commands
# Project lifecycle
xtool new MyApp # Create new project
xtool new MyApp --skip-setup # Create without running setup
xtool dev # Build + run (same as `xtool dev run`)
xtool dev build # Build only
xtool dev build --ipa # Build IPA file
xtool dev run -s # Run on iOS Simulator (--simulator)
xtool dev run -c release # Release build (--configuration)
xtool dev run -u <udid> # Target specific device (--udid)
xtool dev generate-xcode-project # Generate .xcodeproj for debugging
# Device management
xtool devices # List connected devices
xtool install app.ipa # Install IPA to device
xtool launch # Launch installed app
xtool uninstall # Uninstall app from device
# Authentication & setup
xtool setup # Full setup (auth + SDK)
xtool auth login # Authenticate with Apple
xtool auth status # Check auth status
xtool auth logout # Log out
xtool sdk # Manage Darwin Swift SDK
# Developer Services
xtool ds teams # List development teams
xtool ds certificates # Manage certificates
xtool ds profiles # Manage provisioning profiles
xtool.yml Format
Minimal:
version: 1
bundleID: com.example.MyApp
Full options:
version: 1
bundleID: com.example.MyApp
product: MyApp # Which SwiftPM product is main app
infoPath: MyApp-Info.plist # Custom Info.plist (merged)
iconPath: Resources/AppIcon.png # App icon (1024x1024 PNG)
entitlementsPath: App.entitlements
resources: # Files copied to app bundle root
- Resources/GoogleServices-Info.plist
extensions: # App extensions
- product: MyWidget
infoPath: MyWidget-Info.plist
Adding App Extensions (Widgets, Share, etc.)
Step 1: Update Package.swift
Add BOTH a product AND a target. Note: xtool uses .library (not .executable) - it bundles the library into an iOS app.
// swift-tools-version: 6.0
import PackageDescription
let package = Package(
name: "MyApp",
platforms: [.iOS(.v17)],
products: [
.library(name: "MyApp", targets: ["MyApp"]),
.library(name: "MyWidget", targets: ["MyWidget"]), // ADD
],
targets: [
.target(name: "MyApp"),
.target(name: "MyWidget"), // ADD
]
)
Step 2: Update xtool.yml
version: 1
bundleID: com.example.MyApp
product: MyApp
extensions:
- product: MyWidget
infoPath: MyWidget-Info.plist
Step 3: Create Extension Info.plist
Minimal required (just the extension type):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>NSExtension</key>
<dict>
<key>NSExtensionPointIdentifier</key>
<string>com.apple.widgetkit-extension</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>
Step 4: Create Extension Code
Sources/MyWidget/Widget.swift:
import WidgetKit
import SwiftUI
@main struct MyWidgetBundle: WidgetBundle {
var body: some Widget { MyWidget() }
}
struct MyWidget: Widget {
var body: some WidgetConfiguration {
StaticConfiguration(kind: "MyWidget", provider: Provider()) { entry in
Text(entry.date, style: .date)
.containerBackground(.fill.tertiary, for: .widget)
}
.configurationDisplayName("My Widget")
}
}
struct Entry: TimelineEntry { var date = Date() }
struct Provider: TimelineProvider {
func placeholder(in context: Context) -> Entry { Entry() }
func getSnapshot(in context: Context, completion: @escaping (Entry) -> Void) {
completion(Entry())
}
func getTimeline(in context: Context, completion: @escaping (Entry) -> Void) {
completion(Timeline(entries: [Entry()], policy: .after(.now + 3600)))
}
}
Step 5: Build and Run
xtool dev
Common Extension Types
| Extension | NSExtensionPointIdentifier |
|---|---|
| Widget (WidgetKit) | com.apple.widgetkit-extension |
| Share | com.apple.share-services |
| Action | com.apple.ui-services |
| Safari | com.apple.Safari.web-extension |
| Keyboard | com.apple.keyboard-service |
| Today (deprecated) | com.apple.widget-extension |
Troubleshooting
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| "Untrusted Developer" | Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > Trust |
| Device not found | Connect USB, run xtool devices, enable Developer Mode |
| Auth failed | Run xtool auth login |
| Build fails on first run | Normal - SDK modules building. Wait for completion. |
Resources Configuration
SwiftPM resources (in bundle subdirectory):
.target(name: "MyApp", resources: [.copy("Blob.png")])
// Access: Image("Blob", bundle: Bundle.module)
Top-level resources (in app bundle root):
# xtool.yml
resources:
- Resources/GoogleServices-Info.plist
Entitlements
# xtool.yml
entitlementsPath: App.entitlements
<!-- App.entitlements -->
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>com.apple.developer.homekit</key>
<true/>
</dict>
</plist>
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
Using xtool build |
Use xtool dev build |
Using project.yml |
Use xtool.yml |
Using Extensions/ dir |
Use Sources/ (standard SwiftPM) |
| Forgetting Package.swift | Extensions need product + target in Package.swift |
| Complex extension Info.plist | Only NSExtension/NSExtensionPointIdentifier required |
Recommended Agent Skills
Expand your agent's capabilities with these related and highly-rated skills.
css-development
This skill should be used when working with CSS, creating components, styling elements, refactoring styles, or reviewing CSS code. Triggers on "CSS", "styles", "Tailwind", "dark mode", "component styling", "semantic class", "@apply", "stylesheet". Routes to specialized sub-skills for creation, validation, or refactoring.
css-development:create-component
This skill should be used when creating new styled components or adding new CSS classes. Triggers on "create component", "new button", "new card", "add styles", "style component", "build UI element". Guides semantic naming, Tailwind composition, dark mode support, and test coverage.
css-development:refactor
This skill should be used when refactoring existing CSS from inline styles or utility classes to semantic patterns. Triggers on "refactor CSS", "extract styles", "consolidate CSS", "convert inline", "clean up styles", "migrate to semantic". Transforms to semantic classes with dark mode and tests.
css-development:validate
This skill should be used when reviewing or auditing existing CSS code for consistency with established patterns. Triggers on "review CSS", "audit styles", "check CSS", "validate stylesheet", "CSS review". Checks semantic naming, dark mode coverage, Tailwind usage, and test coverage.
ceo-personal-os
This skill should be used when building a personal productivity or operating system for a CEO, founder, or executive. Triggers on "personal OS", "annual review", "life planning", "goal setting system", "Bill Campbell", "Trillion Dollar Coach", "startup failure patterns", "Good to Great", "Level 5 Leadership", "Buy Back Your Time", "E-Myth", "Customer Development", "Steve Blank", "Small Is Beautiful", "Schumacher", "human-scale", "subsidiarity", "Buddhist economics", "permanence".
gtm-partner
Strategic go-to-market partner that recommends channels, validates strategy with the user, and generates only the assets that matter. Use when a user has a validated business idea and needs tailored GTM strategy, not generic marketing assets.
Didn't find tool you were looking for?