ci-cd-setup

name	ci-cd-setup
description	Generate CI/CD configuration for automated builds, tests, and distribution of iOS/macOS apps. Use when setting up GitHub Actions, Xcode Cloud, or fastlane for continuous integration, TestFlight, or App Store deployment.
allowed-tools	["Read","Write","Edit","Glob","Grep","Bash","AskUserQuestion"]

CI/CD Setup Generator

Generate CI/CD configuration for automated builds, tests, and distribution of iOS/macOS apps.

When This Skill Activates

• User wants to automate their build and test process
• User mentions GitHub Actions, Xcode Cloud, or fastlane
• User wants to set up TestFlight or App Store deployment
• User asks about continuous integration for their app

Pre-Generation Checks

Before generating, verify:

1. Existing CI Configuration

   # Check for existing CI files
   ls -la .github/workflows/ 2>/dev/null
   ls -la ci_scripts/ 2>/dev/null
   ls -la fastlane/ 2>/dev/null
   

2. Project Structure

   # Find Xcode project/workspace
   find . -name "*.xcodeproj" -o -name "*.xcworkspace" | head -5
   

3. Package Manager

   # Check for SPM vs CocoaPods
   ls Package.swift 2>/dev/null
   ls Podfile 2>/dev/null
   

Configuration Questions

1. CI/CD Platform

• GitHub Actions (Recommended) - Full control, extensive marketplace
• Xcode Cloud - Native Apple integration, simpler setup
• Both - GitHub for PRs/tests, Xcode Cloud for releases

2. Distribution Method

• TestFlight - Beta testing via App Store Connect
• App Store - Production releases
• Direct (macOS only) - Notarized DMG/PKG distribution
• All - Full pipeline from dev to production

3. Include fastlane?

• Yes - Advanced automation, match for code signing
• No - Simpler setup using xcodebuild directly

4. Code Signing Approach

• Manual - Certificates in GitHub Secrets
• match (fastlane) - Git-based certificate management
• Xcode Cloud Managed - Apple handles signing

Generated Files

GitHub Actions

.github/workflows/
├── build-test.yml        # PR checks, unit tests
├── deploy-testflight.yml # TestFlight deployment
└── deploy-appstore.yml   # App Store submission

Xcode Cloud

ci_scripts/
├── ci_post_clone.sh      # Post-clone setup
└── ci_pre_xcodebuild.sh  # Pre-build configuration

fastlane

fastlane/
├── Fastfile              # Lane definitions
├── Appfile               # App configuration
└── Matchfile             # Code signing (if using match)

Integration Steps

GitHub Actions Setup

1. Add Repository Secrets (Settings > Secrets and variables > Actions):

   • APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID - API Key ID
   • APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_ISSUER_ID - Issuer ID
   • APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_CONTENT - Private key (.p8 content)
   • CERTIFICATE_P12 - Base64-encoded .p12 certificate
   • CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD - Certificate password
   • PROVISIONING_PROFILE - Base64-encoded provisioning profile

2. Create App Store Connect API Key:

   • Go to App Store Connect > Users and Access > Keys
   • Generate API Key with "App Manager" role
   • Download the .p8 file (only available once)

3. Export Certificate:

   # Export from Keychain as .p12, then base64 encode
   base64 -i certificate.p12 | pbcopy
   

Xcode Cloud Setup

1. Enable Xcode Cloud in Xcode:

   • Product > Xcode Cloud > Create Workflow
   • Connect to App Store Connect

2. Configure Workflow:

   • Set start conditions (branch, PR, tag)
   • Configure environment variables
   • Set up post-actions (TestFlight, App Store)

3. Add ci_scripts to repository for customization

fastlane Setup

1. Install fastlane:

   brew install fastlane
   

2. Initialize (if starting fresh):

   fastlane init
   

3. Set up match (optional, for code signing):

   fastlane match init
   fastlane match development
   fastlane match appstore
   

Best Practices

Caching

• Cache Swift Package Manager dependencies
• Cache DerivedData for faster builds
• Use selective caching to avoid stale artifacts

Secrets Management

• Never commit certificates or keys
• Use environment variables for sensitive data
• Rotate API keys periodically

Build Optimization

• Use incremental builds where possible
• Parallelize test execution
• Skip unnecessary steps on draft PRs

Notifications

• Slack/Discord integration for build status
• Email notifications for failures
• GitHub status checks for PRs

References

• GitHub Actions for Xcode
• Xcode Cloud Documentation
• fastlane Documentation
• App Store Connect API