Getting Started

Step 1 — Add LookInsideServer to your project

LookInsideServer is the runtime component that runs inside the app you want to inspect. Add it for the Debug configuration only — it must never ship in a release build.

Swift Package Manager

In Xcode: File → Add Package Dependencies… → paste the URL below → choose Up to Next Major → add the LookInsideServer product.

https://github.com/LookInsideApp/LookInside-Release.git

Or declare it directly in Package.swift:

let package = Package(
    dependencies: [
        .package(
            url: "https://github.com/LookInsideApp/LookInside-Release.git",
            from: "0.2.2"
        ),
    ],
    targets: [
        .target(
            name: "YourApp",
            dependencies: [
                .product(
                    name: "LookInsideServer",
                    package: "LookInside-Release"
                ),
            ]
        ),
    ]
)

CocoaPods

target "YourApp" do
  pod "LookInsideServer",
      :podspec => "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LookInsideApp/LookInside-Release/main/LookInsideServer.podspec",
      :configurations => ["Debug"]
end

Run pod install and open the generated .xcworkspace.

Manual XCFramework

curl -L -o LookInsideServer.xcframework.zip \
  "https://github.com/LookInsideApp/LookInside-Release/releases/latest/download/LookInsideServer.xcframework.zip"
unzip LookInsideServer.xcframework.zip

Drag LookInsideServer.xcframework into your Xcode project. In the debug target's General → Frameworks, Libraries, and Embedded Content, set it to Embed & Sign.

Step 2 — Keep the server out of Release builds

In your app target's Release build settings, set Excluded Source File Names to LookInsideServer*. This ensures the server and its symbols never ship to the App Store. The CocoaPods snippet above already restricts the pod to the Debug configuration.

Step 3 — Connect from LookInside

1. 1

   Build and run your app on a simulator or a connected device.

2. 2

   Open the LookInside Mac app. It discovers Simulator apps, local macOS apps, and USB-connected devices.

3. 3

   Select your app in the target list.

4. 4

   Click any view in the hierarchy to see its tree, frames, properties, and SwiftUI modifiers.

Platform requirements

• iOS 13+ or macOS 14+ (inspected app)
• macOS 13+ (LookInside Mac app)
• Swift 5.9+
• Xcode 15+