SimTag: Context for your iOS Simulators

See which git branch your iOS Simulator is actually running.

Even before AI coding, it was common to have multiple copies of the same project open—using git worktrees or separate clones—to work on different branches in parallel.

Now, with multiple Claude Code (or other AI) sessions running at once, each working on a different branch, it’s even easier to lose track of what’s running where.

The result: multiple simulators, all looking identical, with no clear indication of which branch they’re running.

SimTag fixes that.

What SimTag Does

SimTag adds a small overlay to each iOS Simulator window indicating which git branch produced the running build.

That’s it.

Easily keep track of which branch the iOS Simulator is running

At a glance, you know exactly what you’re looking at—no more guessing, no more double-checking, no more debugging the wrong build.

Why It’s Useful

When you glance at a simulator, you immediately know:

• Did I rebuild after switching branches?
• Which simulator has the auth changes?
• Am I debugging my own work or a coworker’s branch?

If you do any kind of parallel development—worktrees, PR reviews, or AI-assisted coding—this removes a constant source of confusion.

SimTag is especially useful if you:

• Use git worktrees or multiple clones
• Run several terminal sessions building to different simulators
• Review PRs while keeping your own work running

But even with a simpler workflow, SimTag still helps:

• Quick confirmation that the simulator matches the branch you think you’re on
• Pending Build indicator warns you when commits exist since the last build
• PR review sanity check so you know you’re testing the right code

The overlay is unobtrusive and easy to ignore—until you need it.

Features

Branch overlay
See the git branch for every simulator window at a glance.

Pending build indicator
A small warning dot appears when commits exist since the last build—no more debugging code that isn’t even running.

Custom labels
Add your own text like “PR Review”, “Testing”, or “Spike” to keep simulators clearly identified.

Getting Started

1. Download SimTag
2. Move the application to the Applications folder.
3. Launch and grant Accessibility permissions (System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen & System Audio Recording).
4. Grant file access permissions.

Details

• macOS 13+
• Runs in the menu bar
• Optional launch at login
• Overlay position is configurable (any corner, top/bottom center)
• Requires Screen Recording permission
  (Used only to track window positions—not to record anything. Setup is guided on first launch.)

FAQ

Multiple Xcode projects open?
SimTag figures out which project produced each simulator build.

React Native / Flutter?
Works fine—SimTag detects the git branch of the Xcode project that built the app.

Git worktrees?
Fully supported. Each worktree shows its own branch correctly.

I use SimTag every day now. It’s a small tool, but it removes a surprisingly persistent source of friction.

Questions or feedback? Message me at aryaman@digitalbunker.dev.