Apple just made Xcode better for vibe coding (www.engadget.com)

Apple has released Xcode 26.3, significantly enhancing its integration with AI coding agents like Claude and OpenAI's Codex. This update allows these AI models to perform a wider range of tasks within Xcode, including searching documentation, navigating file structures, adjusting project settings, and visually verifying work through Xcode Previews. Previously, these agents had limited access to the IDE, but the expanded capabilities aim to help developers streamline their workflows and improve efficiency. The key innovation behind this enhanced functionality is the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which Apple has deployed to facilitate seamless data sharing between large language models and third-party systems. Developed by Anthropic and adopted by OpenAI, MCP allows developers to add various coding agents to their Xcode terminal, either selecting specific models or versions for their projects. With Xcode 26.3 now available to Apple Developer Program members and Mac Store access on the horizon, this update marks a significant step toward empowering developers with advanced AI tools in their coding environments.