iOS Simulator Setup for Kane CLI

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Set up Apple’s iOS Simulator once, and Kane CLI can run mobile tests against it. This guide targets macOS on Apple Silicon (arm64), the only supported host for this release. See Mobile Testing for the full picture.

The exact iOS runtime versions and simulator device models in the supported matrix are pinned by the product team. The versions shown below are current, working examples. Confirm the officially supported set before you rely on a specific one.

1. Install Xcode 16 or Newer

Install the full Xcode app from the Mac App Store. The standalone Command Line Tools are not enough. Kane CLI requires Xcode 16 or newer, which bundles the iOS Simulator, the simctl tool, and at least one iOS runtime. The download is large, several GB, so allow time on the first install. Launch Xcode once after installing so it can finish installing its additional components.

2. Point the Command Line Tools at Xcode

Kane CLI talks to the simulator through Apple’s simctl, which ships inside Xcode. Make sure the developer directory resolves to the full Xcode install, not the standalone Command Line Tools:

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
sudo xcodebuild -license accept   # accept the license non-interactively

Confirm Xcode and simctl are reachable:

xcodebuild -version                # should report 16.x or newer
xcrun simctl list devices available

You should see one or more iOS devices grouped under an iOS runtime. Xcode ships with default simulators. If none are listed, add one from Xcode → Settings → Platforms, or Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators.

3. Install the Kane CLI Test Tooling

kane-cli login
kane-cli doctor --install

You do not need to boot a simulator yourself. Kane CLI discovers the simulator, boots it, installs your app, and runs the test.

Ready Check

Confirm Kane CLI sees a ready iOS toolchain and, optionally, the simulators on your machine:

kane-cli doctor              # required checks, each with a fix if it fails
kane-cli doctor --targets    # also list the simulators Kane CLI can run against

When the iOS checks pass, your simulator setup is complete.

Run a Test

kane-cli run "Sign in and open the account tab" --target simulator --app ./builds/MyApp.zip

The simulator target accepts a .zip build or an uploaded app id, APP followed by six or more digits.

Common Failures

Symptom	Cause	Fix
`doctor` reports Xcode is too old	Xcode older than 16	Update Xcode to 16 or newer from the App Store
`xcrun: error: unable to find utility "simctl"`	Developer directory points at the standalone Command Line Tools, not Xcode	Run `sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer`
`doctor` reports no developer directory	Full Xcode not installed, or never launched	Install Xcode from the App Store, launch it once, then run `xcode-select --install`
”No iOS simulator found” when picking a device	No simulator device exists yet	Add one in Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators, then reopen the list

​1. Install Xcode 16 or Newer

​2. Point the Command Line Tools at Xcode

​3. Install the Kane CLI Test Tooling

​Ready Check

​Run a Test

​Common Failures

​Next Steps

1. Install Xcode 16 or Newer

2. Point the Command Line Tools at Xcode

3. Install the Kane CLI Test Tooling

Ready Check

Run a Test

Common Failures

Next Steps