Apple adds Claude Agent SDK and Codex into Xcode 26.3

Apple is rolling out Xcode 26.3, which now features a built-in integration of the Claude Agent SDK. This update is available to all Apple Developer Program members as a release candidate, with public access via the App Store expected soon. Developers working on apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple TV stand to benefit from this addition.

The Claude Agent SDK brings advanced capabilities to Xcode, allowing Claude to autonomously handle complex, long-running coding tasks. Developers can now leverage features like subagents, background tasks, and plugins directly within Xcode. Claude can visually verify SwiftUI views using Xcode Previews, reason across entire projects to ensure architectural consistency, and execute tasks independently by breaking them down and iterating as needed. Through the Model Context Protocol, Claude’s abilities extend to the command line, supporting workflows outside the traditional IDE environment.

Apple is focusing on enhancing productivity for solo developers and small teams by freeing them from repetitive tasks and manual debugging. The new integration sets Xcode apart from earlier releases, which only offered limited, one-step Claude Sonnet 4 support. Now, Claude can interact with Apple’s documentation and update projects end-to-end. Early users in the developer community have noted the potential for faster prototyping and reduced manual effort, especially in UI-heavy projects. This move positions Apple to compete more directly with other AI-powered development tools, offering a tightly integrated, autonomous coding assistant inside its flagship IDE.

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