iCTRL

What iCTRL does

iCTRL runs a long-lived XCUITest runner on an iPhone and serves a JSON-RPC 2.0 API over HTTP, on port 8200 by default. Through it an agent or any HTTP client can tap, swipe, type, read the UI tree, take screenshots, launch apps and open URLs.

It is designed to be discovered by a model. The device serves an operating manual at GET /skill and documents every method at GET /schema, so an agent can learn the API at runtime. The README says any agent that can make HTTP requests can use it, naming OpenClaw, Hermes, Minis, Claude Code and Codex, and that Minis is additionally optimized for it. Control uses a pairing step with an X25519 key exchange, and you approve the pairing request on the phone. By default the runner listens on 127.0.0.1 only, and a Remote Access option opens it to the local network. The README opens with a warning that the tool is for automated testing and research only. The license is Apache-2.0.

Key features

• JSON-RPC 2.0 over HTTP on port 8200
• Tap, swipe, type, read UI tree and screenshot
• Launch apps and open URLs
• Operating manual at /skill and method list at /schema
• Encrypted pairing with approval on the phone
• Localhost-only by default

When to use it

• Letting a Hermes agent test an iOS app by driving a real device
• Automating phone steps from a local agent
• Researching agent control of mobile interfaces

Who it is for: Developers and researchers who want agents to operate their own iOS devices for testing or research.

How it fits with Hermes Agent

Any HTTP-capable agent can use it, and the README names Hermes among them, so it is a general tool rather than a Hermes project.

Requirements: An iPhone or iPad; setup involves signing and installing the app with SideStore or Xcode

Note: The README warns it is for automated testing and research only, since a paired key gives full control of the phone.

FAQ