instruments-profiling

Profile native macOS and iOS apps using Instruments/xctrace with correct binary selection.

6|1|Updated Nov 23, 2023

Search Tags:#ios #macos #instruments #trace-analysis #performance-profiling #xctrace #binary-selection

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/gmcabrita/dotfiles --skill instruments-profiling-gmcabrita

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: instruments-profiling
Source: https://github.com/gmcabrita/dotfiles/tree/main/.agents/skills/instruments-profiling
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/gmcabrita/dotfiles --skill instruments-profiling-gmcabrita

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Profiling native macOS and iOS apps efficiently to identify performance bottlenecks and ensure correct binary targeting with Instruments/xctrace.

Core Features & Use Cases

Correct binary selection for deterministic profiling and reliable traces.
Time Profiler capture via xctrace with launch/attach options and trace exports.
Practical use cases include startup profiling, long-running workloads, and stack analysis.

Quick Start

Launch a Time Profiler trace for your app using a direct binary path and open the resulting .trace in Instruments.

Frequently Asked Questions about instruments-profiling

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I profile a native macOS or iOS app using xctrace?▼

Profile a native macOS or iOS app by invoking xctrace with the Time Profiler template, supplying the correct direct binary path and launch arguments, then exporting the trace to diagnose performance bottlenecks.

How do I select the correct binary path for deterministic performance profiling in Instruments?▼

Correct binary selection in Instruments requires supplying the exact direct path to the native app executable via CLI arguments, ensuring deterministic trace capture and reliable stack behavior analysis for startup or long-running workloads.

Can I attach Instruments to an already running process for trace analysis?▼

Instruments supports attach-based profiling, allowing xctrace to connect to a running native macOS or iOS process to capture Time Profiler traces for diagnosing stack behavior and performance without launching from startup.

What is the best way to export xctrace results for startup profiling and stack analysis?▼

The best way to export xctrace results for startup profiling is using the designated CLI export options to generate a .trace file, which can then be opened in Instruments to analyze stack behavior and performance bottlenecks.

Does this Instruments profiling workflow work for both iOS and macOS native apps?▼

This Instruments profiling workflow applies to both native iOS and macOS apps, utilizing xctrace CLI arguments and binary path verification to capture Time Profiler traces for performance profiling across both Apple platforms.

Why is my Instruments trace missing stack data during long-running workload profiling?▼

Missing stack data during long-running workload profiling often results from incorrect binary selection; supplying the exact native binary path via xctrace CLI arguments ensures deterministic trace capture and complete stack behavior analysis.