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reinstall

Replace an installed app with a local binary on a selected device, preserving the app's identity for testing updates.

Instructions

Replace an installed app with a binary from a local path. Use this when preserving the same app identity while installing a new build on the selected device. Times out after 180s.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
appYes
udidNoApple device or simulator UDID; the selector that pins one device when several share a name.
debugNoEnable debug diagnostics.
runIdNoLease run identifier.
deviceNoDevice name selector (a UDID belongs in udid, a serial in serial).
serialNoAndroid, HarmonyOS, or Vega VVD serial selector.
targetNoAlias for deviceTarget on commands without a UI target field. Interaction commands reserve target for the UI element.
tenantNoRemote tenant identifier.
appPathYesPath to app binary.
leaseIdNoExisting lease identifier.
sessionNoAgent-device session name.
noRecordNoDo not record this action.
platformNoPlatform selector used to resolve a device.
includeCostNoInclude per-command agent-cost (cost.wallClockMs, …) in structuredContent. Defaults to off; the default response shape is unchanged.
deviceTargetNoDevice target form. Maps to the CLI --target flag.
responseLevelNoResponse verbosity: token-cheap digest / default (today) / full. Defaults to default; the default response shape is unchanged.
mcpOutputFormatNoMCP text content format. Defaults to optimized agent-friendly text; use json for JSON text. Structured content is always returned separately.
androidDeviceAllowlistNoAndroid serial allowlist used for device resolution.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed3 schema fields changedv0.21.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / device / description
      Previous value: -"Device name selector."New value: +"Device name selector (a UDID belongs in udid, a serial in serial)."
    • changedInput schema / properties / serial / description
      Previous value: -"Android device or Vega VVD serial selector."New value: +"Android, HarmonyOS, or Vega VVD serial selector."
    • changedInput schema / properties / udid / description
      Previous value: -"iOS device UDID selector."New value: +"Apple device or simulator UDID; the selector that pins one device when several share a name."
  2. Changed8 schema fields changedv0.20.10
    • removedInput schema / properties / cwd
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Working directory for command execution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / daemonAuthToken
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Remote daemon auth token.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / daemonBaseUrl
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Remote daemon base URL.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosSimulatorDeviceSet
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "iOS simulator device-set path used for device resolution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestDerivedDataPath
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Derived data path for external iOS XCTest runner execution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestEnvDir
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Writable directory for iOS XCTest runner env overlays.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestrunFile
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Externally built iOS XCTest runner .xctestrun artifact path.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / stateDir
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Agent-device state directory.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
  3. Changed1 schema field changedv0.20.9
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "apple",
      -  "android",
      -  "vega",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "harmonyos",
      +  "vega",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
  4. Changed3 schema fields changedv0.20.2
    • addedInput schema / properties / noRecord
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Do not record this action.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "apple",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "vega",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
    • changedInput schema / properties / serial / description
      Previous value: -"Android serial selector."New value: +"Android device or Vega VVD serial selector."
  5. Changed3 schema fields changedv0.17.11
    • addedInput schema / properties / includeCost
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Include per-command agent-cost (cost.wallClockMs, …) in structuredContent. Defaults to off; the default response shape is unchanged.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
    • addedInput schema / properties / responseLevel
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Response verbosity: token-cheap digest / default (today) / full. Defaults to default; the default response shape is unchanged.",
      +  "enum": [
      +    "digest",
      +    "default",
      +    "full"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  6. Changed1 schema field changedv0.17.7
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "apple"
      +]
  7. Changed5 schema fields changedv0.17.6
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestDerivedDataPath
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Derived data path for external iOS XCTest runner execution.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestEnvDir
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Writable directory for iOS XCTest runner env overlays.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestrunFile
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Externally built iOS XCTest runner .xctestrun artifact path.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / mcpOutputFormat
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "MCP text content format. Defaults to optimized agent-friendly text; use json for JSON text. Structured content is always returned separately.",
      +  "enum": [
      +    "optimized",
      +    "json"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "android",
      -  "macos",
      -  "linux",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "apple"
      +]
  8. First observedv0.16.9

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

There are no annotations, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses the core replacing behavior, the identity-preservation contract, and the 180s timeout. However, it does not explain prerequisites, whether app data is preserved, permission requirements, or what a successful response contains.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Two sentences, front-loaded with the action, then the key constraint and timeout. Every sentence earns its place with no filler.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The core operation is clearly described, but this is an 18-parameter mutation tool with no annotations and no output schema. The description does not cover selection prerequisites, behavioral side effects, or return expectations; it relies heavily on the schema for the rest.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 94%, so the schema carries most parameter meaning. The description adds useful context that app is the app identity and appPath is the local binary path, but it does not meaningfully enrich the many selector and response-control parameters already documented in the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific action ('Replace'), the resource ('an installed app'), the source ('a binary from a local path'), and adds a distinguishing qualifier: preserving the same app identity while installing a new build. This clearly differentiates it from siblings like install and install-from-source.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description explicitly says when to use it: when preserving the same app identity while installing a new build on the selected device. It does not explicitly list when not to use it or name alternatives, but the usage context is clear enough for an agent to route correctly.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.