Xcode Previews doesn't work when used in a package that imports other packages.

UI Frameworks SwiftUI Swift Packages Xcode Xcode Previews SwiftUI

Created Jun ’20

Replies 32

Boosts 20

Views 18k

Participants 37

I keep getting a Xcode Previews error in Xcode 12 from a package that imports other packages. As soon as I remove the dependency I'm able to see the SwiftUI preview. I'm only able to use previews in packages that have no dependencies

The error I get is: "LoadingError: failed to load library at path...Library not loaded " then it point to the dependency that it could not load in the current package.

How can I access Xcode Previews from a package that depends on other packages?

Answered by Developer Tools Engineer in 622246022

Hi,

Sorry to hear you are having problems. We have a received a feedback tracking this same issue, and we are actively investigating it. So far no known workaround.

Boost

Playrom OP

Aug ’23

Issue still present on Xcode15 beta 7, and honestly this prevents the creations of connected chains of swiftui packages, to modularize your UI code...

eth021021 OP

Sep ’23

Bump because sadly this is still an issue

sonic555gr OP

Oct ’23

Xcode 15.0.1, issue still persists, Completely beating the purpose of breaking your code into modules. @Developer Tools Engineer Please, do something!

MKaulfers OP

Feb ’24

I too am facing this issue, interestingly it's happening on my AnnouncementModule package, not necessarily on a preview of a package, of a package. I've been doing some serious DEEP diving into this issue, and if I manage to find a solution, I'll share back here. My gut says this isn't an "Apple" issue, but more of a "Dev" issue and not understanding some really obscure technical thing.

The image here shows how my dependency tree looks in a reproducible example. I am able to get previews working just fine for Design which is incredibly odd, given it's a dependency for AnnouncementModule.

Screenshot 2024-02-05 at 3.36.20 PM.png

OK93 OP

Feb ’24

I think the issue isn't that all package imports break Xcode Previews. I am currently building a Swift Package where I use SwiftUI previews. I am integrating 2 packages simultaneously into this target and integrating the first one was a breeze. As soon as I introduced the second one, my preview crashes and I am getting an error:

I think the issue here is that some trait of that second Package causes Previews to break. For this second package, there are some setup steps that I cannot take in a Swift Package like Info.plist entries. It would be great if Xcode or the Xcode preview failure error would give an exact reason why this second package was unable to be loaded.

sargisfromararat OP

Mar ’24

Change Build configuration from Release to Debug

kevin-sv OP

Apr ’24

Still see this on Xcode 15.3 with imports of a local package. After commenting out the dependencies (both in the View code and the #preview) and removing the #import the #preview starts working again. For now, my only alternative is to put the local package code into the main project. Hopefully a solution will be available before I use the package in another app.