The new Xcode 26.3 release candidate introduces support for agentic coding, Apple said Wednesday. It allows developers to work with AI coding agents like Anthropic’s Claude Agent and OpenAI’s Codex directly within the development environment.
“Agentic coding supercharges productivity and creativity, streamlining the development workflow so developers can focus on innovation,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations.
Even vibe-coding beginners will have an easier time of it because Xcode can now build apps pretty much by itself, some devs say.
Xcode adds AI coding agents for app developers
Xcode is Apple’s comprehensive, free Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for building apps for all its platforms (iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS). With the update, Xcode takes a big leap from the coding assistant features introduced in Xcode 26.
The new update enables AI agents to operate with greater autonomy throughout the entire app development lifecycle. Instead of simply suggesting code completions, these agents can now break down complex tasks, make architectural decisions, and use Xcode’s built-in tools independently, Apple said in a press release.
It even builds apps itself
The update appears to make Xcode capable of building apps by itself — which should make things easier for beginner coders.
“So Xcode just builds entire apps without you now,” said developer Steve Toughton-Smith on Mastodon. “You could write a full, shippable app every evening with Xcode’s agentic coding features. Two apps a day, even,” he added.
“I had Xcode’s new agent feature throw together [a] little UIKit timeline app, without me writing anything myself, all using Codex,” he noted.
What coding agents can do in Xcode
With the new agentic coding support, Claude Agent and Codex gain access to core Xcode capabilities that streamline development workflows.
Photo: Apple
The agents can search Apple’s documentation, navigate project file structures, modify project settings and even capture Xcode Previews to verify their work visually. They can also iterate through builds and apply fixes autonomously, reducing the manual effort required from developers.
“Xcode’s Codex support will happily trundle away for half an hour sticking its tendrils into every little corner of your project, touching and changing every file,” said Troughton-Smith. “It’s certainly going to be fun to build new projects with, but ain’t no way in hell I want to let that loose on any of my existing apps.”
Built-in integrations and open standards
Photo: Apple
Xcode 26.3 provides seamless integration with Claude Agent and Codex. That lets developers leverage these models’ advanced reasoning capabilities while maintaining compatibility with Xcode’s native features optimized for Apple platforms. Developers can choose which agent best fits their specific project needs.
Beyond the built-in integrations, Apple implements the Model Context Protocol. That’s an open standard that enables developers to connect any compatible AI agent or tool to Xcode. This approach gives developers flexibility in their choice of development assistants.
Xcode adds AI coding agents: Availability
Xcode 26.3 release candidate is available now to all Apple Developer Program members. A full App Store release should come soon, Apple said.
Developers using Claude Agent or Codex should note that Anthropic and OpenAI’s terms of service may apply to their usage.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
