Xcode Build and Export

Use this skill when you need to build an app from source and prepare it for upload to App Store Connect.

Preconditions

•Xcode installed and command line tools configured
•Valid signing identity and provisioning profiles (or automatic signing enabled)

iOS Build Flow

1. Clean and Archive

bash

xcodebuild clean archive \
  -scheme "YourScheme" \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath /tmp/YourApp.xcarchive \
  -destination "generic/platform=iOS"

2. Export IPA

bash

xcodebuild -exportArchive \
  -archivePath /tmp/YourApp.xcarchive \
  -exportPath /tmp/YourAppExport \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist \
  -allowProvisioningUpdates

A minimal ExportOptions.plist for App Store distribution:

xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>method</key>
    <string>app-store-connect</string>
    <key>teamID</key>
    <string>YOUR_TEAM_ID</string>
</dict>
</plist>

3. Upload with asc

bash

asc builds upload --app "APP_ID" --ipa "/tmp/YourAppExport/YourApp.ipa"

macOS Build Flow

1. Archive

bash

xcodebuild archive \
  -scheme "YourMacScheme" \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath /tmp/YourMacApp.xcarchive \
  -destination "generic/platform=macOS"

2. Export PKG

bash

xcodebuild -exportArchive \
  -archivePath /tmp/YourMacApp.xcarchive \
  -exportPath /tmp/YourMacAppExport \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist \
  -allowProvisioningUpdates

3. Upload PKG

macOS apps export as .pkg files. Use xcrun altool:

bash

xcrun altool --upload-app \
  -f "/tmp/YourMacAppExport/YourApp.pkg" \
  --type macos \
  --apiKey "$ASC_KEY_ID" \
  --apiIssuer "$ASC_ISSUER_ID"

Note: The API key file must be in ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/AuthKey_<KEY_ID>.p8

Build Number Management

Each upload requires a unique build number higher than previously uploaded builds.

In Xcode project settings:

•CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION - build number (e.g., "316")
•MARKETING_VERSION - version string (e.g., "2.2.0")

Check existing builds:

bash

asc builds list --app "APP_ID" --platform IOS --limit 5

Troubleshooting

"No profiles for bundle ID" during export

•Add -allowProvisioningUpdates flag
•Verify your Apple ID is logged into Xcode

Build rejected for missing icon (macOS)

macOS requires ICNS format icons with all sizes:

•16x16, 32x32, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512 (1x and 2x)

CFBundleVersion too low

The build number must be higher than any previously uploaded build. Increment CURRENT_PROJECT_VERSION and rebuild.

Notes

•Always clean before archive for release builds
•Use xcodebuild -showBuildSettings to verify configuration
•For submission issues (encryption, content rights), see asc-submission-health skill