An Xcode-compatible build tool for faster incremental builds on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
xcbuild is an open-source, Xcode-compatible build tool developed by Facebook that provides faster incremental builds and cross-platform support. It allows developers to build Xcode projects and workspaces on macOS, Linux, and Windows using the same command-line interface as xcodebuild, while leveraging Ninja and llbuild for improved performance.
iOS and macOS developers who need faster build times, cross-platform build capabilities, or better insight into the Xcode build process, particularly those working in CI/CD environments or on non-macOS systems.
Developers choose xcbuild for its significant speed improvements in incremental builds, full compatibility with existing Xcode projects, and the ability to build on Linux and Windows without sacrificing the familiar xcodebuild workflow.
Xcode-compatible build tool.
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Uses Ninja to achieve incremental build times as low as 0.046s, compared to 2.190s with xcodebuild, as shown in the performance table in the README.
Allows building Xcode projects on macOS, Linux, and Windows, enabling development on non-Apple systems as detailed in the features list.
Maintains identical command-line options to xcodebuild, ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows and tools like xcpretty.
Provides better insight into the Xcode build process, aiding in debugging and optimization, as highlighted in the project's value proposition.
The README states that Windows support is experimental, requiring Visual Studio and specific setup, which may not be reliable for production use.
Installing xcbuild requires cloning the repository, installing CMake and Ninja, and building from source, adding complexity compared to using bundled xcodebuild.
As an open-source reimplementation of Xcode's build system, it might not fully support all Xcode project configurations or advanced features, leading to compatibility issues.
xcbuild is an open-source alternative to the following products: