iOS Simulator Setup for Kane CLI
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
Sign in and let Kane CLI install the tooling it manages for the simulator:
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 |
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