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FlowDeck CLI is a single command-line interface for iOS/macOS development, replacing xcodebuild, simctl, devicectl, and other Apple tools with a clean, simple workflow for humans and AI agents like Claude Code and Codex. With flowdeck, you can:
  • Build, run, test, and debug apps from the terminal
  • Automate development and testing with powerful UI automation workflows
  • Manage simulators, devices, and live logs in one place
  • Handle project management tasks (discover workspaces/schemes, save config, create projects)
  • Plug directly into CI/CD with machine-readable JSON output

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Why FlowDeck CLI?

Terminal-First

Build, run, and test directly from your terminal without switching to Xcode

CI/CD Ready

JSON output mode for easy integration with automation pipelines

AI Agent Compatible

Designed to work seamlessly with Claude Code, Codex, and other AI assistants

Fast Iteration

Optimized builds with intelligent caching and parallel compilation

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Key Features

  • Build & Run - Compile and launch iOS/macOS apps on simulators or devices
  • Test Execution - Run unit and UI tests with detailed results
  • Simulator Management - Boot, shutdown, and manage iOS simulators
  • Device Support - Deploy and run on physical Apple devices
  • Log Streaming - Real-time OSLog streaming from running apps
  • JSON Output - Machine-readable output for automation and AI agents
  • Project Discovery - Auto-detect workspaces, schemes, and build configurations
  • Project Creation - Generate new Xcode projects from templates with flowdeck project create

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Requirements

FlowDeck CLI requires macOS with Xcode installed. It does not support Windows or Linux.
  • macOS 13.0 or later
  • Xcode 15.0 or later (with command line tools)
  • Apple Silicon Mac: M1 or later recommended for best performance

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Quick Start

# Install FlowDeck CLI
curl -sSL https://flowdeck.studio/install.sh | sh

# CD to your macOS or iOS project
cd ~/myApp

# Start FlowDeck's interactive mode
flowdeck -i
For interactive development with a GUI-like experience, see Interactive Mode. For AI agents and CI/CD, use the config set workflow to save project settings: 
# 1. Discover project structure
flowdeck context --json

# 2. Initialize with discovered settings
flowdeck config set -w MyApp.xcworkspace -s MyApp -S "iPhone 16"

# 3. Run commands without parameters
flowdeck build    # Uses saved settings
flowdeck run      # Uses saved settings
flowdeck test     # Uses saved settings
flowdeck clean    # Uses saved settings
After running flowdeck config set, all subsequent commands use the saved settings automatically. This is the recommended approach for AI agents and CI/CD pipelines.
For complete command documentation, see Commands Overview. 
# Get help
flowdeck --help

# Show examples for any command
flowdeck build --examples

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Getting Help

Installation Guide

Get FlowDeck CLI installed on your Mac

Command Reference

Complete documentation for all CLI commands

Support

License activation and support options