New Delhi: Apple has taken a major step toward hands-off software development with Xcode 26.3, introducing ‘agentic coding’, a new capability that lets AI agents build apps with far greater autonomy. Developers can now plug in tools from Anthropic and OpenAI directly inside Xcode to handle complex coding tasks from start to finish.
The update allows agents such as Claude Agent and Codex to explore project files, write new code, run builds, fix errors, and even summarise completed work. Apple says the goal is simple: reduce friction in development and help teams move faster, while keeping developers firmly in control through full transparency and easy rollbacks.
AI agents can now build, test and fix apps
With Xcode 26.3, AI is no longer limited to suggestions or inline edits. Agents can now take action.
After activation in settings, a project goal, in natural language, such as adding a new feature, can be assigned by the developers. At that point, the agent examines the project structure, searches documentation, writes code, builds the app, runs tests, and repeats the process until the errors are eliminated. All the steps are shown in a live transcript, and a developer can move anywhere to change or undo it immediately.
Apple claims that these agents are also capable of capturing visual previews, examining build logs and refining their output progressively until the project is clean. There is an easy way to move between agents, and the updates are received automatically as the providers make improvements. It needs a developer account on Anthropic or OpenAI and is charged based on API usage.
Open standards and flexible integrations
Although Apple worked closely with Anthropic and OpenAI, the system is not locked to just those partners.
Xcode 26.3 supports the open Model Context Protocol, which means developers can connect other compatible agents as well. Apple is publishing documentation to help teams wire up their own tools, giving studios flexibility to choose the AI model that best fits each task.
The company also says it optimised performance to reduce token usage, making longer autonomous workflows more efficient and practical for real-world projects.
Apple positions agentic coding as productivity boost
Apple believes this shift will simplify workflows, speed up iteration, and help developers explore new APIs and techniques by watching agents work in real time.
“At Apple, our goal is to make tools that put industry-leading technologies directly in developers’ hands so they can build the very best apps,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. She added that agentic coding is designed to supercharge creativity while letting developers focus on innovation.
The release candidate of Xcode 26.3 is available now, with a public launch expected in the coming days. For many developers, it marks the start of a new era where AI doesn’t just assist with code; it actively helps build the app.