---
name: native-app-performance
description: Native macOS/iOS app performance profiling via xctrace/Time Profiler and CLI-only analysis of Instruments traces. Use when asked to profile, attach, record, or analyze Instruments .trace files, find hotspots, or optimize native app performance without opening Instruments UI.
---

# Native App Performance (CLI-only)

Goal: record Time Profiler via `xctrace`, extract samples, symbolicate, and propose hotspots without opening Instruments.

## Quick start (CLI)

1) Record Time Profiler (attach):

```bash
# Start app yourself, then attach
xcrun xctrace record --template 'Time Profiler' --time-limit 90s --output /tmp/App.trace --attach <pid>
```

2) Record Time Profiler (launch):

```bash
xcrun xctrace record --template 'Time Profiler' --time-limit 90s --output /tmp/App.trace --launch -- /path/App.app/Contents/MacOS/App
```

3) Extract time samples:

```bash
scripts/extract_time_samples.py --trace /tmp/App.trace --output /tmp/time-sample.xml
```

4) Get load address for symbolication:

```bash
# While app is running
vmmap <pid> | rg -m1 "__TEXT" -n
```

5) Symbolicate + rank hotspots:

```bash
scripts/top_hotspots.py --samples /tmp/time-sample.xml \
  --binary /path/App.app/Contents/MacOS/App \
  --load-address 0x100000000 --top 30
```

## Workflow notes

- Always confirm you’re profiling the correct binary (local build vs /Applications). Prefer direct binary path for `--launch`.
- Ensure you trigger the slow path during capture (menu open/close, refresh, etc.).
- If stacks are empty, capture longer or avoid idle sections.
- `xcrun xctrace help record` and `xcrun xctrace help export` show correct flags.

## Included scripts

- `scripts/record_time_profiler.sh`: record via attach or launch.
- `scripts/extract_time_samples.py`: export time-sample XML from a trace.
- `scripts/top_hotspots.py`: symbolicate and rank top app frames.

## Gotchas

- ASLR means you must use the runtime `__TEXT` load address from `vmmap`.
- If using a new build, update the `--binary` path; symbols must match the trace.
- CLI-only flow: no need to open Instruments if stacks are symbolicated via `atos`.


---
Source attribution: LeoYeAI
Original project: https://github.com/LeoYeAI/openclaw-master-skills/blob/e5199b56ae1ff72e141586c17695563486c46702/skills/native-app-performance/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Dave AI.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 MyClaw.ai (LeoYeAI)

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Dave AI resource metadata

Creator / publisher: LeoYeAI
Original project: https://github.com/LeoYeAI/openclaw-master-skills/blob/e5199b56ae1ff72e141586c17695563486c46702/skills/native-app-performance/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Development & Engineering, Product Management
Roles: Backend Developer, DevOps / SRE, Mobile Developer, Product Manager, QA / Test Engineer
Specialties: Backend, Mobile
Tools: Instruments, Xctrace
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 54b26e5153bbcd1b961d57258dda4a1e8608361f93970e65815dd808da9d0509