Xcode Assist User Guide

The ultimate Stream Deck integration for Apple Developers. A macOS Stream Deck plugin by Dloper.

Before you start

Install from Dloper’s Xcode Assist page, which opens the Elgato Marketplace flow. There is nothing to download in Terminal and no API key to create.

Use macOS 13 or later with Stream Deck 6.9 or later. Install Xcode and, for Simulator, packages, locations, screenshots, and APNs, install Xcode’s command-line tools. Stream Deck + is required only for the Destination Dial and Build Progress Dial.

Grant Automation access

Build, run, stop, clean, test, and Test Navigator use Xcode’s macOS Automation interface. The first use may show an Automation prompt. Choose Allow. If a key says Failed or Xcode does not respond, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation, enable the entry that permits Stream Deck / Xcode Assist to control Xcode, then restart Stream Deck.

The plugin needs an active Xcode workspace or project for Xcode actions. Open the project in Xcode first. It does not choose schemes, sign into an Apple account, alter project files, or change Xcode’s selected run destination.

Simulator setup

Drag a Simulator action to a key and optionally paste a simulator UDID in its inspector. Leave it blank to prefer a booted iOS simulator, then the first available iOS simulator. The Destination Dial saves its own selected UDID when you rotate it.

Simulator Power: tap to boot/focus; hold 1.5 seconds to shut down.
Erase Simulator: hold 1.2 seconds. A short press only cancels the erase.
Screenshot: boot the selected simulator first. PNGs are saved to Desktop with a timestamp. The temporary 9:41 marketing status bar is cleared after each attempt.
Location: boot the simulator, then choose a preset or use valid custom latitude (-90 to 90) and longitude (-180 to 180).
APNs: boot the simulator, enter the target app’s bundle ID, and enter an absolute path to a local, regular .apns payload file. The file is not uploaded or stored by Xcode Assist.

Common fixes

Symptom	What to check
Xcode action reports Failed	Open an Xcode project, grant Automation permission, and verify Xcode is not showing a modal dialog.
No simulator appears	Open Xcode once, install an iOS runtime in Xcode Settings, then try the Simulator app or Destination Dial again.
Screenshot/APNs/location fails	The exact selected simulator must be booted. Confirm the target app is installed for APNs and the `.apns` path is absolute.
Swift package reset fails	Confirm the workspace/project is open and its packages can resolve with your configured Xcode accounts/network.
Build result seems stale	Xcode supplies build status through its AppleScript interface. Start a fresh build and check Xcode’s Report navigator for definitive logs.

Contact support

Use Xcode Assist Support. Include the action, plugin version, macOS, Xcode, Stream Deck version, and the visible failure message. Do not include Apple ID credentials, signing certificates, provisioning profiles, or push payload secrets.