Build an iOS Simulator App with xcodebuild
Use a clear xcodebuild command for an app that runs in iOS Simulator.
Run the command
Run xcodebuild from the repository root. Replace the workspace and scheme with the names from your project.
xcodebuild -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace -scheme MyApp -configuration Debug -sdk iphonesimulator -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' -derivedDataPath build/DerivedData CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO buildFind the .app
For this example, look in build/DerivedData/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator. Use the folder for the configuration you chose.
If you use a project instead of a workspace, replace -workspace with -project and the .xcodeproj name.
Choose Debug or Release
Debug is a good default for day-to-day review. Use Release when the feature depends on its settings or optimizations.
Keep the choice in the workflow so the team can review changes to it.
What teams ask
Why not build an .ipa?
An .ipa is for a device. SimPreview needs an app built for iOS Simulator.
Why use a generic destination?
It keeps the CI build from depending on one named Simulator.
Where should I set the configuration?
Set it in the CI workflow beside the scheme.
Turn this build into a Simulator preview.
Use the same scheme and configuration in your SimPreview step.