Exploring AI-Assisted Coding for iOS Development

This practical guide shows you how to improve your Swift, SwiftUI/UIKit projects using the features of Cursor, different IDEs and Terminal tools like Claude Code and Codex.

Editors and terminals are converging toward a coding coworker model. I focus on fundamentals that transfer across tools. The tools will change. The fundamentals will not.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is designed for:

• iOS and Apple platform developers looking for ways to improve their workflow with AI assistance and reduce friction.

This book is your key to becoming a more efficient and innovative Swift/SwiftUI developer by using these new AI tools.

Student discount: Use code "STUDENT" at checkout. Use it only if you are a current student.

Foundations of AI-Assisted Development

• Published:
  • Xcode Midnight Theme: Bring a dark, high-contrast Xcode look to Cursor/VS Code.
  • Privacy and Security: How AI tools handle code, privacy modes, and SOC 2 concerns.
  • Version Control: Practical Git workflows and tools that reduce friction.

Large Language Models

• Published:

  • Model Evaluation Approach: How I vibe-check models for iOS 18 APIs and Swift.
  • Model Benchmarks: What pass@k and leaderboards really mean for app dev.

• Upcoming:

  • Claude Sonnet 4: New capabilities that speed up SwiftUI work.
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro: A "thinking" model for deeper planning and tools.
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash: Fast responses for real-time UI and previews.
  • Claude Sonnet 3.5 & 3.7: Balanced speed, quality, and cost.
  • OpenAI o3: Multi-step reasoning with tool use.
  • OpenAI o4 mini: Trade-offs vs o3 for coding workflows.
  • OpenAI GPT-4.1: Developer-oriented improvements over 4o.
  • DeepSeek R1: Specialized reasoning model.
  • DeepSeek V3: General coding model in DeepSeek's lineup.

Xcode AI

• Published:

  • Claude in Xcode: How I wire it in Xcode 26 beta and where it helps.

• Upcoming:

  • Swift Assist: Rise and fall of Apple's earlier approach.
  • Xcode 26 AI Integration: What is new and what actually works.
  • Coding Tools in Action: Real development flow with AI features.
  • Xcode AI vs Competition: Strengths and gaps.
  • Privacy, Security, Enterprise: Guardrails and policies that matter.
  • Advanced Techniques: Power workflows and configurations.
  • Limitations and Future: Where it struggles and where it is going.

Cursor

• Published:
  • Getting Started with Cursor: Install, configure, and the basics.
  • Getting Started with VS Code: Setup for Apple platform work.
  • Cursor Tab: Faster coding with a TAB TAB TAB flow.
  • Cursor Tab with External Package: Completions across third-party libraries.
  • How Cursor Tab Works: Under the hood and tips.
  • The Future of Cursor Tab: Where it is headed.
  • Edit for Code Generation: Safe, focused edits from prompts.
  • Cursor Chat: In-editor assistance and debugging.
  • Using Chat to Learn: I learn WhisperKit, fix errors, and ship.
  • Agentic Composer: Multi-file tasks and feature scaffolding (Cmd+I).
  • Basic Composer Example: A hands-on walkthrough.
  • Cursor and Rules for AI: Encode standards so AI follows them.
  • Project-Specific Rules: Localize rules per repo.
  • Rules Conflict: Reconcile global vs project rules.
  • Tips on Cursor Rules: Patterns that work.
  • Cursor Rules Directory: Organize and scale rule files.
  • Autocompletion: Tune and get the most from suggestions.

Claude Code

• Published:

  • Getting Started with Claude Code: Install, first run, and core workflow.
  • Using Other Models: Point Claude Code at Z.AI or Kimi; verify with /status and env overrides.

• Upcoming:

  • iOS Development Workflow: Terminal-Xcode dance that ships features.
  • Memory and Context: CLAUDE.md and conventions that stick.
  • Tips and Best Practices: Prompts, safety, and review habits.
  • Claude Code vs Alternatives: Cursor, Windsurf, and others.
  • Advanced Features: MCP, automation, and deep planning.

AI in the Development Lifecycle

• Published:

  • Debug with AI: Explain build errors, propose fixes, and verify.
  • Introducing SweetPad: Xcode-like conveniences in Cursor/VS Code.
  • Building and Running: Build/run from the editor.
  • Debugging: Integrated debugging tips that save time.
  • Running on a Real Device: From simulator to hardware.
  • Formatting: Keep code clean and consistent.
  • Starting with Hot Reloading: Rapid UI iterations (InjectionIII).
  • Starting with InjectionNext: An alternate hot reload path.
  • Cursor Rules for Hot Reloading: Automate boilerplate.

• Upcoming:

  • Swift 6 Concurrency with LLMs: Diagnose and resolve common issues.

AI Prompts

• Published:
  • Tips for Prompting: Get better code from your assistant.
  • Prompting Reasoning Models: Adapt to o-series/DeepSeek/Claude styles.
  • System Prompt: Understand and shape the assistant's defaults.

Model Context Protocol (MCP)

• Published:
  • XcodeBuildMCP: Build, run, and simctl from AI-compatible clients.
  • RevenueCat MCP: Query entitlements and offerings via chat tools.

OpenAI Codex

• Published:

  • OpenAI Codex in 2025: Where it fits now, with a CI PR review example.

• Upcoming:

  • Setup and GitHub Integration: Install, authenticate, and run in GitHub Actions.
  • Core Codex Features: TUI, exec mode, and everyday workflows.
  • Automated Code Review (CI): Review diffs and post to PRs.
  • iOS Workflows with Codex: Tasks that pair well with Apple stacks.
  • Code Review Best Practices: Human-in-the-loop and guardrails.
  • GitHub Integration Examples: Practical automation patterns.
  • iOS-Specific Use Cases: Tests, previews, and scaffolds.
  • Advanced Features: Customization and instruction profiles.
  • Limitations and Considerations: What to expect.
  • Comparison with Alternatives: When to choose Codex.
  • Maximizing Productivity: Scope, iterate, and verify.