Creating a Python-Friendly Environment in Xcode

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

For developers looking to create a Python-friendly environment in Xcode, this guide provides a comprehensive approach. While Xcode is primarily designed for Swift and Objective-C, it is possible to configure it for Python development by following a series of steps. Below, we outline a method that has proven effective across various versions of Xcode.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open Xcode and navigate to the menu bar. Click “File” → “New” → “New Project…”
2. Select “Other” in the left pane, then “External Build System” in the right pane, and click “Next”.
3. Enter your desired product name, organization name, or organization identifier.
4. For the “Build Tool” field, type /usr/local/bin/python3 for Python 3 or /usr/bin/python for Python 2, then click “Next”. Ensure that you have the correct symbolic link setup for Python.
5. Choose a location to save the project and click “Create”.
6. To add a new Python file, click “File” → “New” → “New File…”
7. Select “Other” under “OS X”, choose “Empty”, and click “Next”.
8. Navigate to your project folder, name your Python file with a “.py” extension, and click “Create”.
9. Edit the project scheme by clicking “Product” → “Scheme” → “Edit Scheme…”.
10. In the “Run” tab, set the “Executable” field by selecting “Other…” and navigate to the Python executable chosen earlier.
11. Uncheck “Debug executable” to prevent Xcode from trying to debug the Python executable itself.
12. Add the Python file you want to test by clicking the “+” icon under “Arguments Passed On Launch” and typing in $(SRCROOT)/your_python_file.py.
13. Close the scheme editor. Your Python environment is now set up in Xcode.

Additional Tips

• To run Python scripts without administrative privileges, use the shortcut ^⌘R or click “Product” → “Perform Action” → “Run Without Building”.
• For more customization, explore the “Utilities” panel to adjust text encoding, line endings, and indentation settings.

Enhancing Your Development Workflow

While configuring Xcode for Python development is feasible, developers might encounter limitations, especially when it comes to debugging capabilities. For those looking for a more streamlined and efficient testing environment, consider using Repeato.

Repeato is a no-code test automation tool that supports iOS, Android, and web apps, providing an intuitive interface to create, run, and maintain automated tests. Leveraging computer vision and AI, Repeato excels in recording tests quickly and efficiently. It supports both data-driven and keyword-driven testing, and all tests are stored in easy-to-version-control formats like text and JSON. This makes Repeato a practical alternative to other test automation tools, offering a user-friendly experience without the scripting language limitations of some competitors.

By integrating Repeato into your development workflow, you can automate complex tasks using command line scripts or JavaScript code, thus enhancing your productivity and ensuring robust test coverage.

Check it out!

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