The Device Emulator Workflow
The recommended series of steps (workflow) to use the device emulator follows:
Choose Project: Define the app to be tested in the Device Emulator by using the PROJECTS tab.
Configure Emulator Environment: Choose a device and settings in the EMULATE tab.
Test in Emulator: Test on-device sensors, fire events, and test push messages using the EMULATE tab.
Debug and Edit: Debug within the EMULATE tab and fix any problems found during testing by using the DEVELOP tab. You should retest fixes in the Device Emulator (EMULATE tab).
Next Step: Test on Actual Devices: When you are satisfied with testing within the EMULATE tab, test mobile device(s) by using information in the TEST tab, such as the App Preview tool.
The workflow is shown below, where the main device emulator steps appear in the orange box:
The Device Emulator runs your application (app) in a simulated environment that implements the Apache Cordova* core APIs and/or the Intel XDK APIs. You quickly see how your app looks and behaves on a variety of devices without having to acquire many test devices. For example, you can:
Select a popular mobile device to determine the appearance of both the screen size and the resolution.
See how well your app's responsive design can accommodate devices of different display sizes.
Fire system events and control system parameters such as your location and test on-board devices.
You can debug your app using the Device Emulator's built-in debugger.
How the Device Emulator Fits into the Intel XDK
The top of the Intel XDK provides a row of tabs that describe the major steps of its workflow. To move to a new tab, simply click the tab's name (your screen may differ slightly):
For example, before you use the EMULATE tab with a new app, use the:
PROJECTS tab to select the project and the file that starts your app (usually index.html). When creating a new project, specify an empty directory to contain project files and its project name.
DEVELOP tab to modify your app's GUI design and edit its source code.
After you test your app using the EMULATE tab, use the DEVELOP tab again to fix source code issues found during testing. Return to the EMULATE tab to retest the fixed issues.
After you are satisfied with your app's behavior within the Device Emulator using a virtual device, use the TEST tab to test the app and remotely debug it on real physical device(s).
For Android* devices only, after you use a USB cable to connect your device to your development system, use the Intel XDK:
PROFILE tab to launch and remotely profile your app's JavaScript performance while it runs on your Android device with App Analyzer.
DEBUG tab to launch and remotely debug your app while it runs on your Android device with App Analyzer.
For more information about the various Intel XDK tabs, see the main documentation page at http://www.intel.com/software/xdkdocs or click the 
button on the toolbar and choose Visit the Help Page.