Safari converter "xcrun: error: unable to find utility" in CI

By Kaveh Alemi·Latchkey

safari-web-extension-converter is part of full Xcode, not the standalone Command Line Tools. On a macOS runner where xcode-select points at the CLT, xcrun cannot find the converter.

What this error means

The xcrun call fails with "unable to find utility \"safari-web-extension-converter\", not a developer tool or in PATH" on a macOS runner.

xcrun: error: unable to find utility "safari-web-extension-converter",
not a developer tool or in PATH

Common causes

xcode-select points at Command Line Tools

The active developer directory is the standalone CLT, which does not include the Safari converter.

No full Xcode on the runner

A minimal macOS image without Xcode installed has no converter to run.

How to fix it

Select a full Xcode developer directory

1. Confirm Xcode is installed on the macOS runner.
2. Point xcode-select at the Xcode app, not the CLT.
3. Re-run the converter.

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
xcrun safari-web-extension-converter ./dist

Pin the Xcode version in CI

On hosted macOS runners, select a known Xcode so the converter is present and stable.

- run: sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode_15.4.app/Contents/Developer

How to prevent it

• Use a macOS runner image with full Xcode for Safari conversion.
• Select the Xcode developer directory before calling xcrun.
• Pin the Xcode version so the toolchain is reproducible.

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

References

• Node.js documentation
• npm CLI documentation
• GitHub Actions documentation