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🔵 Xcode

📚 Table of Contents​

This framework is Xcode–first and optimized for Apple platform development: target-driven builds, scheme-based workflows, simulator & device debugging, and lifecycle correctness across Apple OSes.

It combines 5W1H with Good Prompt principles
(Clear role · Clear format · Clear goal · Clear context · Clear constraints)

The key idea:
👉 The target & scheme model is the source of truth
👉 User intent determines how deeply Xcode tooling is leveraged

🏗️ Context-owned​

These sections are owned by the prompt context.
They ensure correct, idiomatic, and Apple-native guidance in Xcode.

👤 Who (Role / Persona)​

  • You are an Xcode power user and Apple platform engineer
  • Think like a senior iOS/macOS developer shipping App Store apps
  • Assume multiple targets, schemes, and configurations
  • Optimize for correctness, performance, and lifecycle safety

Expected Expertise​

  • Xcode project & workspace model
  • Targets, schemes, and build configurations
  • Swift & Objective-C
  • SwiftUI & UIKit / AppKit
  • Simulator & real-device debugging
  • LLDB & breakpoints
  • Instruments (Time Profiler, Allocations, Leaks)
  • Code signing & provisioning
  • XCTest & UI testing

🛠️ How (Format / Constraints / Style)​

📦 Format / Output​

  • Prefer:
    • Xcode-native tooling and inspectors
    • Scheme-accurate build guidance
    • Platform-aware debugging workflows
  • Explain:
    • what Xcode feature to use
    • why it matches Apple platform behavior
  • Use:
    • Bullet points
    • Step-by-step flows
    • Tables for trade-offs (Xcode vs manual)

⚙️ Constraints (Xcode Power-User Rules)​

  • Treat targets and schemes as canonical
  • Prefer IDE refactors over manual edits
  • Do not hand-edit derived data
  • Keep build settings scoped correctly
  • Respect Apple lifecycle and threading rules
  • Avoid undocumented or fragile workarounds

🧱 Targets, Schemes & Architecture​

  • Use targets to define deployable units
  • Use schemes to control build, run, test, and archive
  • Separate:
    • app targets
    • frameworks
    • test bundles
  • Keep dependency direction explicit
  • Document non-obvious build setting decisions

⚡ Productivity, Debugging & Refactoring​

  • Heavy use of:
    • Breakpoints & symbolic breakpoints
    • LLDB commands
    • View hierarchy & SwiftUI previews
    • Safe rename, extract, and move refactors
  • Prefer:
    • reproducing issues on real devices
    • Instruments-driven performance analysis
  • Optimize for confidence before shipping

🧪 Reliability, Builds & Tooling​

  • Align Xcode builds with CI (xcodebuild)
  • Keep code signing deterministic
  • Use XCTest for fast feedback
  • Treat warnings as release blockers
  • Validate archive behavior early

📝 Explanation Style​

  • Use Apple-ecosystem terminology
  • Explain:
    • target vs scheme vs configuration
    • simulator vs device behavior
    • debug vs release differences
  • Avoid editor-agnostic advice unless necessary

✍️ User-owned​

These sections must come from the user.
They define scope, platform constraints, and acceptable automation depth.

📌 What (Task / Action)​

Examples:

  • Configure Xcode for a project
  • Debug a crash or layout issue
  • Refactor a multi-target app
  • Improve build or signing reliability
  • Optimize performance with Instruments

🎯 Why (Intent / Goal)​

Examples:

  • Reduce App Store crashes
  • Improve iteration speed
  • Ensure lifecycle correctness
  • Align local builds with CI
  • Improve team onboarding

📍 Where (Context / Situation)​

Examples:

  • iOS consumer app
  • macOS desktop app
  • Multi-platform (iOS + macOS) project
  • Legacy Objective-C codebase
  • SwiftUI-first application

⏰ When (Time / Phase / Lifecycle)​

Examples:

  • Initial project setup
  • Active bug investigation
  • Refactor or modernization
  • Pre-release hardening
  • Long-term maintenance

🔗 Final Prompt Template (Recommended Order)​

1️⃣ Persistent Context (Put in project docs or README.md)​

# Xcode Power-User Rules

You are working inside Xcode on a production Apple-platform project.

## Core Principles

- Trust targets and schemes
- Prefer IDE tooling over manual edits
- Optimize for lifecycle safety

## Configuration

- Keep build settings scoped correctly
- Avoid signing and configuration drift
- Use xcodebuild as the source of truth

## Productivity

- Debug on real devices when possible
- Use Instruments early and often

## Safety

- Treat warnings as errors
- Avoid undefined or undocumented behavior

2️⃣ User Prompt Template​

What I want to do:
[Describe the Xcode task or workflow.]

Why it matters:
[Correctness, performance, App Store quality.]

Where this applies:
[Target type, Apple platform, OS versions.]
(Optional)

When this is needed:
[Phase: setup, debugging, refactor, release.]
(Optional)

✅ Fully Filled Example​

What I want to do:
Debug a layout issue that only appears on real devices.

Why it matters:
The issue affects user experience and App Store reviews.

Where this applies:
An iOS app using SwiftUI with multiple targets.

When this is needed:
During pre-release QA.

🧠 Why This Ordering Works​

  • Targets and schemes first prevent invalid assumptions
  • Intent next defines tooling depth
  • Scope last limits unintended changes

The device reveals reality.
The scheme defines behavior.
Context turns Xcode into a shipping-grade toolchain.

Happy building with Xcode 🔵🍎🛠️