github
Checking whether a source file could safely be removed taking too long time and didn't work
Describe the bug
When I asked Copilot whether the current file was still needed, it carried out a series of checks, which took quite a long time. After finally confirming that the file was not needed, it then attempted to remove references to this file from the project. However, due to the issue described at https://github.com/github/CopilotForXcode/issues/453, instead of updating the correct file, its operation mistakenly modified the current file, and it also did not try to delete the current file.
I opened a separate issue specifically to share my thoughts on why this checking process takes too long, as well as to propose what I consider to be a better solution.
As shown in the image, these are Copilot’s current detection steps, and in my opinion, they are overly time-consuming. Based on my experience as a developer, here’s how I would quickly address similar file issues:
- Open the File Inspector on the right side of Xcode, and remove the current target from “Target Membership”.
- Press Cmd+B to build the project.
- If the build succeeds, the file can be safely deleted. If it fails, Xcode will provide the error info, and you can just add the target back.
The above is just a general idea. If your project has multiple targets (such as supporting both macOS and iOS), you’ll need to build for each target, or simply try creating an archive to see if it works. For Copilot, instead of manually building in step two, it could simply invoke its get_errors tool. Overall, I think this approach would be much faster than the current detection process.
Let me know if you need the translation adjusted for tone, formality, or for a specific audience!
Versions
- Copilot for Xcode: 0.41.0
- Xcode: 26.0 beta 6 (17A5305f)
- macOS: 26.0 Beta(25A5346a)
Steps to reproduce
- In Agent mode, prompt "So does that mean this current file is no longer needed?"
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Additional context
