hz-store-submit

name	hz-store-submit
license	Apache-2.0
description	Guides end-to-end Meta Quest and Horizon OS app submission to the Meta Horizon Store — build validation, store-readiness checks, asset preparation, upload, and submission tracking. Use when preparing a Quest app for store publishing.
allowed-tools	Bash(metavr:*) Bash(hzdb:*)

Store Submission Skill

Guide the end-to-end process of submitting a Meta Quest application to the Meta Horizon Store. This skill covers build validation, store-readiness checks, store asset preparation, upload, and submission tracking.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Prepare a Quest app build for store submission
• Validate that an APK meets the Horizon Store's publishing requirements before uploading
• Prepare and validate store listing assets (icons, screenshots, videos, descriptions)
• Walk through the submission workflow on the developer dashboard
• Track a submission through the review process
• Troubleshoot submission rejections

Run the VRC (Virtual Reality Check) validation inline (see the VRC checklist below) for thorough compliance testing before proceeding to submission.

Submission Workflow Overview

The full submission process follows this order:

1. Build Validation     → Verify APK is correctly signed, targets ARM64, meets packaging requirements
2. Store Readiness      → Run through the readiness checks, fix any violations
3. Asset Preparation    → Prepare store listing images, videos, descriptions, metadata
4. Dashboard Setup      → Create app on developer.meta.com, configure pricing, age rating
5. Upload               → Upload the build to the platform
6. Submission           → Submit for review
7. Tracking             → Monitor review status, respond to feedback

Step 1: Build Validation

Before uploading, validate the APK meets basic packaging requirements.

APK Signing

The release APK must be signed with an Android keystore. Debug-signed APKs will be rejected.

# Verify the APK is signed (not debug-signed)
metavr adb shell "pm dump <package> | grep -i signature"

The signing key must remain consistent across updates. Changing the signing key requires a new app entry.

Manifest Checks

# Install the APK on a connected device to test
metavr app install path/to/release.apk

# Verify it launches correctly
metavr app launch <package>

# Check the manifest for required fields
metavr adb shell "dumpsys package <package> | head -50"

Required manifest elements:

• android:targetSdkVersion >= 32
• android:minSdkVersion >= 29
• Target architecture: ARM64 only (no x86 or ARM32)
• Application must declare the com.oculus.intent.category.VR intent category
• Version code must be higher than any previously uploaded build

Performance Baseline

Run the app on a Quest device and verify:

• Maintains 72 Hz minimum frame rate (90 Hz recommended for Quest 3)
• No thermal throttling warnings within the first 5 minutes of normal use
• Load time under 15 seconds from launch to interactive content

# Monitor frame rate
metavr adb logcat --tag VrApi | grep FPS

# Check thermal state
metavr device battery

# Watch for thermal warnings
metavr adb logcat --tag ThermalService --level W

Step 2: Store Readiness Checks

Run through the VRC checklist below for a detailed walkthrough. Key VRC categories:

• Packaging — Release-signed APK (APK Signature Scheme v2; v1-only is rejected), targetSdkVersion >= 32 (2D panel apps: 34+), minSdkVersion >= 29, ARM64-only, a version code strictly higher than any previously uploaded build, and the com.oculus.intent.category.VR intent category declared in the launch activity.
• Functional — No crashes or ANRs in any core flow (first-run setup, permission dialogs, rapid scene transitions, low-battery/thermal). Keep long network, IO, and asset work off the main thread.
• Performance — Sustained 72 Hz on Quest 2 / 90 Hz on Quest 3, no thermal throttling within 5 minutes, interactive within 15 seconds of launch, and no memory leaks over an extended session.
• Security / Permissions — Declare only permissions the app actually uses; disallowed permissions cause automatic rejection before manual review. Remove telephony/SMS/contacts (CALL_PHONE, SEND_SMS, READ_CONTACTS), precise location (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION), and unjustified READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE; guard optional hardware with hasSystemFeature() and drop the matching <uses-permission> when unused. Audit the merged manifest (including third-party libraries) with aapt dump permissions <app>.apk. Paid apps must verify entitlement within 10 seconds of launch (no internet required) or they are auto-rejected. See the prohibited and review-required permission lists at developers.meta.com/horizon/resources/permissions-prohibited/ and .../permissions-review-required/.
• Asset — Store images meet the dimension and content specs in Step 3, screenshots are real on-device captures (not editor views or mockups), text stays inside the inner 80% safe area of hero art, and the comfort rating matches the actual locomotion (Comfortable = stationary/teleport, Moderate = slow smooth locomotion with comfort options, Intense = fast movement).

Common store rejection reasons:

Rejection Reason	Fix
Crash during review	Fix the crash. Run metavr adb logcat --buffer crash to investigate.
Frame rate below threshold	Optimize rendering. Profile with Perfetto or OVR Metrics Tool.
Missing store assets	Ensure all required images are uploaded at correct dimensions.
Disallowed permissions	Remove permissions not needed by the app (e.g., CALL_PHONE, SEND_SMS).
Text in unsafe zone of hero art	Keep text within the inner 80% safe area of hero images.
App Not Responding (ANR)	Move long network, IO, or asset work off the main thread. Reproduce with metavr adb logcat --buffer crash.
Comfort rating mismatch	Set the comfort rating to match actual locomotion (Comfortable / Moderate / Intense).
Paid app entitlement check missing	Verify entitlement within 10 seconds of launch (no internet required) before unlocking content.

Step 3: Asset Preparation

The Meta Horizon Store requires specific assets for the store listing.

Required Images

Asset	Dimensions	Format	Notes
App icon	1024 x 1024 px	PNG or JPEG	Square, no rounded corners (system applies them)
Hero art (landscape)	2560 x 1440 px	PNG or JPEG	Main store listing image. Keep text in inner 80% safe area.
Screenshots	2560 x 1440 px	PNG or JPEG	Minimum 3 screenshots. Captured from the app, not mockups.
Small landscape (optional)	1280 x 720 px	PNG or JPEG	Used in some store placements

Required Metadata

• App name: 30 characters max
• Short description: 150 characters max. Appears in store browse views.
• Long description: 4000 characters max. Supports basic formatting.
• Category: Choose from available store categories (Games, Entertainment, Productivity, etc.)
• Content rating: Complete the IARC questionnaire for age rating
• Privacy policy URL: Required for all apps
• Support URL or email: Required

Optional but Recommended

• Trailer video: 30-60 seconds, 1920 x 1080 or 2560 x 1440, MP4/MOV
• Localized descriptions: For each target language/region

Step 4: Dashboard Setup

1. Navigate to the Developer Dashboard and sign in
2. Click Create New App (or select existing app)
3. Fill in all required metadata fields
4. Set pricing (free or paid with MSRP)
5. Complete the IARC content rating questionnaire
6. Configure release channels if using staged rollout

Step 5: Upload

Upload the signed release APK through the developer dashboard or via CLI:

# The dashboard upload is preferred for first submissions.
# For subsequent builds, you can use the ovr-platform-util CLI:
ovr-platform-util upload-quest-build --app-id <APP_ID> \
  --app-secret <APP_SECRET> \
  --apk path/to/release.apk \
  --channel STORE

After upload, verify the build appears in the dashboard with the correct version code and architecture.

Step 6: Submit for Review

1. In the Developer Dashboard, navigate to your app's Submission tab
2. Verify all sections show green checkmarks
3. Address any errors or warnings displayed at the top of the page
4. Click Submit for Review

Plan for a review period of approximately 1-2 weeks. Submit at least 2 weeks before your target launch date.

Step 7: Tracking

After submission:

• Monitor the app's status in the Developer Dashboard
• Respond promptly to any reviewer feedback or questions
• If rejected, read the rejection reasons carefully, fix each issue, and resubmit

Post-approval:

• Choose to release immediately or schedule a release date
• Monitor crash reports and user feedback after launch
• Plan a post-launch update for any issues discovered by early users

Gotchas

• Version code must always increase -- You cannot upload a build with a version code equal to or lower than a previously uploaded build. Plan your versioning strategy before the first upload.
• Signing key is permanent -- Once you upload a build with a specific signing key, all future builds must use the same key. Losing the keystore means you cannot update the app — you must create a new app entry.
• Screenshot requirements are strict -- Screenshots must be captured from the actual app, not from marketing mockups or engine editor views. Reviewers compare screenshots to the actual app experience.
• Review timeline varies -- While typical review takes 1-2 weeks, holidays, resubmissions, and high volume can extend this. Do not promise a launch date without buffer time.
• Managed vs. self-service releases -- If Meta manages your release, you cannot set your own release date from the dashboard. Coordinate with your account manager.
• 2D apps have different requirements -- If submitting a 2D Android app (not immersive VR), the store-readiness requirements are a subset. Do not assume all immersive-VR checks apply to 2D apps.
• Asset safe zones -- Hero art and screenshots have a "safe zone" for text. Text that bleeds into the outer 20% may be cropped on different store placements, causing a rejection.
• Privacy policy is mandatory -- Even free apps with no user accounts require a privacy policy URL. Submission will be blocked without one.

References

• VRC Compliance -- run the detailed VRC validation checklist above before submission
• Submission Checklist -- Quick-reference pre-submission checklist
• Rejection Troubleshooting -- Common rejection reasons and fixes