ios-deploy-usb

asnar00's avatarfrom asnar00

Build and deploy iOS app to connected iPhone via USB. Fast deployment (~8-10 seconds) for development iteration. Use when deploying, installing, or building apps to physical iPhone.

⭐0stars🔀0forks📁View on GitHub🕐Updated Nov 24, 2025⬇️1downloads
[Developer Tools]

When & Why to Use This Skill

This Claude skill enables rapid iOS application deployment directly to a USB-connected iPhone, streamlining the development cycle by bypassing slow distribution channels like TestFlight. It automates the build process using xcodebuild and handles device installation and app restarting in under 10 seconds, making it an essential tool for high-frequency development iterations.

Use Cases

  • Rapid Development Iteration: Quickly push code changes to a physical device to verify UI/UX and performance in real-time without waiting for cloud builds.
  • Hardware Feature Testing: Test device-specific functionalities such as the camera, ARKit, GPS, and haptics that cannot be accurately tested on a simulator.
  • On-Device Debugging: Streamline the process of installing debug builds to troubleshoot performance bottlenecks or crashes that only occur on physical hardware.
  • Workflow Automation: Automate the repetitive sequence of building, installing, and launching iOS apps directly from the chat interface during the coding process.
nameios-deploy-usb
descriptionBuild and deploy iOS app to connected iPhone via USB. Fast deployment (~8-10 seconds) for development iteration. Use when deploying, installing, or building apps to physical iPhone.

iOS USB Deploy

Overview

Builds an iOS app using xcodebuild and installs it directly to a USB-connected iPhone. This is the fastest way to test on real hardware during development, taking only 8-10 seconds vs TestFlight's longer review process.

When to Use

Invoke this skill when the user:

  • Asks to "deploy to iPhone"
  • Wants to "install the app on device"
  • Says "build and deploy"
  • Mentions testing on physical iPhone
  • Wants to "push to device"

Prerequisites

  • iPhone connected via USB
  • Device trusted (user tapped "Trust This Computer" on iPhone)
  • Developer Mode enabled (Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode)
  • Valid code signing identity configured
  • The project must be in an iOS app directory with .xcodeproj

Instructions

  1. Navigate to the iOS app directory (look for .xcodeproj file):

    cd path/to/ios/app

  2. Run the install-device.sh script:

    ./install-device.sh

  3. The script will:

    • Auto-detect the connected iPhone
    • Build the app with xcodebuild (using LD="clang" workaround)
    • Install the .app to the device
    • Report success

  4. After successful installation, automatically start the app:

    ./restart-app.sh

  5. Inform the user:

    • The build typically takes 8-10 seconds
    • The app will be automatically launched on the iPhone
    • If errors occur, check that iPhone is properly connected and trusted

Expected Output

📱 Installing NoobTest directly to connected device...
✅ Found device: ashphone16
   Device ID: 00008140-0001684124A2201C
🔨 Building...
✅ Build complete
📲 Installing to device...
🎉 Installation complete!
🔄 Restarting NoobTest on device...
✅ App restarted
The app is now running on your iPhone.

Common Issues

No device detected:

  • Check USB connection
  • Ensure "Trust This Computer" was accepted on iPhone
  • Enable Developer Mode in Settings
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Build fails with linker error:

  • Script uses LD="clang" to avoid Homebrew linker conflicts
  • This is automatically handled

Script hangs during build or install:

  • Most common cause: VPN is enabled on the Mac
  • If the install-device.sh script hangs and doesn't complete:
    1. Ask the user: "Is your VPN currently enabled? If so, please disable it and try again."
    2. Wait for user to disable VPN
    3. Retry the deployment
  • This happens because VPN can interfere with USB device communication
  • After disabling VPN, the deployment should complete normally

Implementation Details

The script:

  • Uses xcodebuild -showdestinations to find the device ID
  • Builds with -allowProvisioningUpdates for automatic code signing
  • Finds the built .app in DerivedData by modification time
  • Uses xcrun devicectl device install app to deploy

Platform-Specific Notes

This is an iOS-specific skill. For Android deployment, use the android-deploy-usb skill.