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Basic Configuration for Mobile GUI

SHAFT uses Appium under the hood for mobile automation. Configure the properties below to target a local Appium server or a cloud device farm.

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Common Properties (Android & iOS)​

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
# Address of your Appium server (default for local)
executionAddress=localhost:4723

# Target platform: ANDROID or IOS
targetOperatingSystem=ANDROID

# Automation driver — UiAutomator2 or Espresso for Android, XCUITest for iOS
mobile_automationName=UiAutomator2

Android Native App​

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
# Install a fresh APK before each run (recommended)
mobile_app=src/test/resources/apps/MyApp.apk

# Device name as reported by `adb devices`
mobile_deviceName=Pixel_7_API_34

# Android version (optional but recommended)
mobile_platformVersion=14.0

Alternatively, launch an already-installed app by package/activity (not recommended for clean test runs):

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
mobile_appPackage=com.example.android.myApp
mobile_appActivity=.MainActivity

iOS Native App​

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
targetOperatingSystem=IOS
mobile_automationName=XCUITest

# .app bundle for Simulator, .ipa for real device
mobile_app=src/test/resources/apps/MyApp.app

# Device name as shown in Xcode device list
mobile_deviceName=iPhone 15
mobile_platformVersion=17.0

# UDID required for real device
mobile_udid=00008110-001A23456789AB01

# Optional: launch an already-installed iOS app by bundle identifier
mobile_bundleId=com.example.ios.myApp

BrowserStack Native Apps​

When executionAddress=browserstack, SHAFT can start native mobile sessions from either a BrowserStack app URL or a remote app value in mobile_app:

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
executionAddress=browserstack
targetOperatingSystem=ANDROID
mobile_automationName=UiAutomator2
mobile_deviceName=Google Pixel 7
mobile_platformVersion=13.0

# Preferred when you already know the uploaded BrowserStack app URL
browserStack.appUrl=bs://<uploaded-app-id>

# Also supported for remote app references when browserStack.appUrl is not set
# mobile_app=bs://<uploaded-app-id>
# mobile_app=https://example.com/apps/MyApp.apk

If both browserStack.appUrl and mobile_app point to remote app values, browserStack.appUrl takes precedence. Use local mobile_app paths when SHAFT should upload the app for you.

Mobile Web (Browser on Device)​

For mobile browser testing, configure the same properties as Web GUI and add the mobile target:

src/main/resources/properties/custom.properties
executionAddress=localhost:4723
targetOperatingSystem=ANDROID
mobile_automationName=UiAutomator2
mobile_browserName=Chrome
mobile_deviceName=Pixel_7_API_34
baseURL=https://m.example.com

SHAFT MCP Mobile Automation​

shaft-mcp can start mobile sessions through the same SHAFT Engine setup:

  • mobile_initialize_web_emulation runs a resized desktop browser in mobile compatibility mode.
  • mobile_initialize_native starts an Appium-backed Android or iOS native session using the configured Appium server and device name, UDID, app, app package/activity, or iOS bundle ID.
  • mobile_take_screenshot captures the current mobile screen, and mobile_get_accessibility_tree returns the active Appium page source/accessibility XML so the MCP client can understand the screen before acting.
  • mobile_record_start, mobile_record_stop, mobile_replay_recording, and mobile_recording_code_blocks support record/playback and copy-pasteable SHAFT action snippets.
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You can learn more about the different property types and the full list of supported properties by visiting the related pages.