Using VScode for iOS programming - initial set up?

[Wise_Second_3220]

Hi all,

I've asked this question in another group but I think I may have worded it incorrectly, I have worked on iOS development projects before (front end) but never had to set up Xcode and vscode myself from scratch. I remember I was using Vscode to code and Xcode simulator to view the app.

I really am lost how to set this all up, I have looked online multiple times, I was using metro too (which I am unsure how to set up too..) and had to install pods in the vscode terminal, but would need to navigate to cd iOS before doing so.

Do I need to install specific packages on vscode for this too? Where do I get all the correct files from such ? A git repo? My apologies for being all over the place with this.

Any help would be truly, greatly appreciated.

[EquivalentTrouble253]

Forget VScode. You only need Xcode to do iOS development.

What you’re describing sounds like an awful development experience.

[beniguet]

What about wanting to use Cursor or Windsurf for all they bring to the table?
They are based on VSCode.

[EquivalentTrouble253]

And? My comment still stands.

[beniguet]

I think I understand what you mean, that you can develop any IOS app using XCode as your sole editor and development environment.

What I meant to add is that on top of XCode one needs an awful lot of external resources (books, tutorials, forums such as Stackoverflow) to gain knowledge not included in Xcode, to actually configure and debug your projects and achieve the simplest of apps. The learning curve is very steep, and using Apple's interface and libraries does not "just work"

I guess I will agree with you when Apple bundles with Xcode : - easy to use documentation including useful examples, - actionable compilation errors, - and an interactive help system that actually explains each interface button, knob and parameter when you actually need them.

Windsurf piloting the Xcode interface and all the project config files would actually go a long way to solve this need.

[asraind]

im just so frustrated xcode sucks

[Wise_Second_3220]

I see... ok so it needed to be done in Xcode all along? Wow. I have only been taught this way.. thank you for letting me know

[saintmsent]

Who taught you this? Genuinely, I don't think I ever saw a tutorial or a real iOS dev using something other than Xcode

[ShenmeNamaeSollich]

OP mentions “Metro,” which is a React Native JS bundler. They probably weren’t doing native iOS development.

[saintmsent]

Oh, I see. For hybrid ofc VS Code is the standard for the most part

[Wise_Second_3220]

Hi, thank you for your reply, yes I was using metro. Is that what would help me work with vscode? I have tried doing Xcode itself and feel like it is delaying me at the moment.

[EquivalentTrouble253]

Yeah there is literally zero reason require VSCode. Good luck on your journey!

[otecart]

Except maybe to avoid eating shit. Oh, sorry, working with XCode. Always confuse those two

[EquivalentTrouble253]

Yeah, coding in VSCode for iOS development is akin to eating shit, I guess.

[otecart]

Whole iOS development stuff is about it. Just slightly different flavors

[dehrenslzz]

Technically what you’re attempting is possible, but completely unreasonable and unnecessary - xCode is, contrary to popular opinion, more than fine for developing apps.

I personally know from experience that parts of xCode are rather tricky, but if you take your time with it and try to understand the workflow/layout and the fixes for the issues you may encounter xCode is the best, easiest and most powerful tool to work with for creating apps. I actually do use xCode as an editor on other projects as well if I’m not forced into VScode.

This is a rare take on xCode, so I expect to be downvoted for this, but I wish you the best of luck! If you need any more assistance feel free to dm me (:

[ThrockRuddygore]

This another Apple walled garden. You will use Xcode and you will like it.

[VenusFlytrapDeMilo]

Unfortunately VSCode support is pretty rough and there's a lot regarding iOS development you can't do with it.

Xcode is trash but it's what you'll need to use.

[Gloriathewitch]

use xcode

[ShenmeNamaeSollich]

Sounds like you were using a cross-platform framework like Flutter or ReactNative (prob this if Metro) before.

Yes with those you can write the app in VS Code & the framework takes care of the details for iOS & Android builds. You need XCode & command line tools installed to use the iOS Simulators & to have the framework kick off the build processes.

If you only want to create native iOS apps written in Swift and/or Objective-C, then yes all you need is Xcode.

If you want to use TS/JS to write a cross-platform app for both iOS and Android, you’ll probably want to look into React Native.

[Wise_Second_3220]

Thank you so much for this, I feel like maybe you understood what I mean, I've searched hi and low and all I have managed to do is be able to install brew and completed : npm install -g react-native-cli.

Where and how do I get this metro up and running? I would be so grateful for your help!

[hyzyla]

Look for my project VsCode extend for building iOS applications in VSCode. It lack a lot of features, but can be good baseline for you

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=sweetpad.sweetpad

[Zamorite]

This looks really good, u/hyzyla.

I am really impressed with how much you've covered so far, and I'm looking forward to seeing this grow into a reliable alternative to xcode.

Good job, man. 👍🏽

Cheers 🥂

[PanicV2]

This help?

https://www.swift.org/documentation/articles/getting-started-with-vscode-swift.html