Instruments Profiling (macOS/iOS)

Use this skill when the user wants performance profiling or stack analysis for native apps. Focus: Time Profiler, xctrace CLI, and picking the correct binary/app instance.

Quick Start (CLI)

• List templates: xcrun xctrace list templates
• Record Time Profiler (launch):
  • xcrun xctrace record --template 'Time Profiler' --time-limit 60s --output /tmp/App.trace --launch -- /path/To/App.app
• Record Time Profiler (attach):
  • Launch app yourself, get PID, then:
  • xcrun xctrace record --template 'Time Profiler' --time-limit 60s --output /tmp/App.trace --attach <pid>
• Open trace in Instruments:
  • open -a Instruments /tmp/App.trace

Note: xcrun xctrace --help is not a valid subcommand. Use xcrun xctrace help record.

Picking the Correct Binary (Critical)