> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mobster.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Requirements

> What you need to run Mobster for Mac and Mobster CLI.

| | Mobster for Mac | Mobster CLI |
| - | - | - |
| Mac | Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later | Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later |
| Xcode | Free from the App Store, signed in to an Apple Account (a free one works). Setup offers it | The same, for an iPhone. For checks, an Xcode with an iOS Simulator runtime; Mobster is tested with Xcode 26.4 |
| iPhone | Developer Mode on, and a USB cable that carries data | The same, for tasks on a phone. Checks can run on simulators alone |
| AI account | Your own key, or a plan you already pay for (Codex, Claude Code, Gemini CLI and others). You pay them directly | Only for Mobster's agent. Launch-only checks and your coding agent's own loop need none |
| Voice | macOS 26 or later | Not in the CLI |
| Account | A Mobster account (Apple, Google, GitHub or an email code) with a plan | None: free |

Mobster runs on macOS 13 or later. To set up your iPhone and to build and test your own app, you need the macOS your Xcode version needs ([Apple lists it on its Xcode page](https://developer.apple.com/support/xcode/)).

## Why each one

* **Xcode and Developer Mode.** Mobster drives the iPhone through WebDriverAgent, a test runner built on Apple's XCTest framework. iOS runs it only with Developer Mode on and an Apple signature, which Xcode makes with your Apple Account. Mobster for Mac builds and signs it for you; [Device setup](/device-setup) does it by hand.
* **A cable.** WebDriverAgent listens on the phone's own loopback, and Mobster reaches it over USB. [Wi-Fi](/wifi) is a preview that's off unless you turn it on.
* **An AI account.** Mobster's agent runs on your own key, billed by your provider, or on a plan you already pay for, such as Codex, Claude Code or Gemini CLI. Nothing goes through a Mobster account. [Models and keys](/models-and-keys) says which key does what.
* **The first build.** The first install of Mobster's helper on an iPhone takes about 2 minutes: 115 seconds to build, sign and install, measured 17 Oct 2026 on an M5 Max Mac and an iPhone 15 Pro. Xcode itself is a large download.

Mobster drives iPhones and iOS simulators. It doesn't drive Android devices or hosted phones.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.