Remote Windows game development tools

The Xbox PC Toolbox application is in preview. Please reach out to your Xbox contact if you would like to find out more.

Overview

The Remote Windows Development tools set is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline game development workflows on remote Windows devices including handhelds, desktops, and test machines. It enables secure provisioning, acquisition, iteration, and debugging across LAN. The solution is focused on reducing remote iteration friction, improving setup consistency, and supporting scalable workflows for studios of all sizes.

Core components

Xbox PC Toolbox

A GUI-based provisioning and acquisition tool that abstracts setup complexity. It integrates with WinGet, Desired State Configuration (DSC), and other system components to automate configuration and streamline workflows.

Xbox Device Management PowerShell Module (XDM)

A foundational PowerShell module that establishes secure, encrypted communication between dev PCs and remote devices. It handles device acquisition, OpenSSH configuration, and trust management.

Remote iteration Command line tools tools: wdRemote.exe & wdEndpoint.exe

These tools enable incremental deployment, launch, and termination of games on remote devices. They leverage XDM’s secure infrastructure to setup a secure transport to support fast iteration cycles without full reinstalls.

• wdRemote.exe: Development PC tool for sending deployment, launch and terminate commands
• wdEndpoint.exe: Target device executable for receiving and executing commands

Key capabilities

Secure communication

Uses OpenSSH-based encrypted connections to ensure secure data transfer between your development PC and target devices. This protects sensitive game builds and telemetry data from interception or tampering during remote sessions.

Incremental deployment

Enables fast updates by deploying only the changed portions of a game rather than reinstalling the entire build. This drastically reduces iteration time, especially useful during frequent testing cycles.

Remote execution

Launch and test games directly on remote target devices from local development environment. This eliminates the need to physically access the device, streamlining debugging and validation.

Device management

Track, monitor, and manage multiple target devices including status, connectivity, and deployment history. This is essential for teams working with diverse hardware configurations or distributed test labs.

Automated setup

Simplifies the initial configuration of remote development environments with minimal manual steps. This includes automatic provisioning of dependencies, environment variables, and secure access credentials, reducing setup errors and saving time.

Limitations and dependencies

• Internet access is required on both devices during setup
• Devices must share the same local network and be able to ping each other
• The Xbox PC Toolbox application must be accquired from the RETAIL sandbox. Ater acquisition and setup, you may change to any developer sandbox.
• Only devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11, Home or Pro editions are supported
• Physical access to both devices is required during setup
• Administrator level access is required on both devices to execute setup steps

High-level remote iteration workflow using the tools

Initial setup (One-time)

1. Download Xbox PC Toolbox to DevPC from the Microsoft Store on Windows
2. Launch the app on the DevPC and complete the setup flow for "development device"
3. Launch the app on the remote target device and complete the setup flow for "remote iteration device"
4. Complete the pairing flow in the app on both devices and test the connection
5. Install remote iteration tools on both devices using the app

Development workflow (Ongoing)

1. Use wdRemote from DevPC to:

   • Deploy game builds incrementally
   • Launch games for testing
   • Terminate games when needed
   • Repeat as needed during development

Best practices

• Avoid re-imaging target device to Windows Pro specially on handheld devices, as it may introduce extraneous processes that can take a share of the limited device resources
• Use Xbox PC Toolbox app for provisioning and acquiring devices remotely including secure channel setup, installing dependencies and device configuration
• Test connectivity with Xbox PC Toolbox app before deploying games
• Used XDM-enabled remote sessions and PS Remoting to execute commands on the target device
• Use wdRemote and wdEndpoint for game deployment, testing and termination
• Ensure adequate disk space on TargetDevice for game deployments
• Use game termination feature for clean testing cycles

Getting started

Follow the Remote Windows game development how-to guide to start provisioning and iterating on remote Windows devices