Quick Start

1. Start SimDeck

simdeck

SimDeck prints a local browser URL, a LAN URL when one is available, and a pairing code for LAN browsers.

SimDeck is ready

Local:   http://127.0.0.1:4311
Network: http://192.168.1.50:4311
Pair:    123 456

Open the local URL. Press q or Ctrl-C in the terminal to stop the foreground server.

To open a specific simulator by name or UDID:

simdeck "iPhone 17 Pro Max"
simdeck 9750DF52-0471-48FF-B49A-B184C4BD3A3D

2. Pick Or Boot A Device

The UI lists available iOS Simulators and Android emulators. You can also use the CLI:

simdeck list
simdeck use <udid>
simdeck boot <udid>

simdeck use <udid> saves the simulator default for this project directory so later device commands can omit the UDID. Android emulator IDs are prefixed with android:.

3. Install And Launch An App

simdeck install /path/to/App.app
simdeck install /path/to/App.ipa
simdeck launch com.example.App
simdeck open-url myapp://debug

For Android:

simdeck install android:<avd-name> /path/to/app.apk
simdeck launch android:<avd-name> com.example.app

4. Drive The UI

Use coordinates when you know them:

simdeck tap 120 240
simdeck swipe 200 700 200 200
simdeck type "hello"

Use selectors when you want automation to wait for UI state:

simdeck tap --label "Continue" --wait-timeout-ms 5000
simdeck tap --id com.apple.settings.screenTime --expect-id BackButton
simdeck tap "Continue"
simdeck back
simdeck describe --format agent --max-depth 3 --interactive
simdeck press @e3

describe --format agent prints refs such as @e3; use press @e3 to target one of those elements directly. snapshot, press, and wait are aliases for describe, tap, and wait-for. Add --expect-* to a tap when the next screen should be present before the command returns.

5. Keep It Running In The Background

simdeck -d
simdeck -k
simdeck -r

These are shortcuts for detached start, stop, and restart. See Daemon for details.

Next

• CLI commands
• Video & streaming
• Inspectors
• Troubleshooting