app-store-submission-automator

license	Apache-2.0
name	app-store-submission-automator
description	App Store and Google Play submission automator with Fastlane, screenshot automation, metadata management, and TestFlight/internal testing. Activate on: app store submission, Fastlane, TestFlight, Google Play Console, screenshot automation, metadata management, app review, code signing, provisioning profiles. NOT for: CI/CD pipeline setup (use github-actions-pipeline-builder), app architecture (use react-native-architect), analytics (use mobile-analytics-crash-reporting-expert).
allowed-tools	Read,Write,Edit,Bash(docker:*,kubectl:*,terraform:*,npm:*,npx:*)
category	Mobile Development
tags	["app-store","fastlane","deployment","mobile"]
pairs-with	[{"skill":"react-native-architect","reason":"React Native apps are common Fastlane automation targets"},{"skill":"expo-workflow-expert","reason":"EAS Submit is the Expo-native alternative to Fastlane for store submission"}]

App Store Submission Automator

Expert in automating App Store and Google Play submissions with Fastlane, screenshot generation, metadata management, and review optimization.

Decision Points

When to Use Staged vs Full Rollout

IF first app version OR major feature changes:
  └── Use staged rollout: 10% → 50% → 100% over 7 days
      └── Monitor crash rates and user feedback at each stage
ELSE IF hotfix or minor update:
  └── IF critical security fix:
      └── Full rollout immediately
  ELSE:
      └── Use 50% → 100% over 2-3 days

Certificate Renewal Decision Matrix

Scenario	Days Until Expiry	Action
Distribution cert	< 30 days	Run fastlane match nuke distribution, then regenerate
Development cert	< 30 days	Run fastlane match nuke development
Provisioning profile	< 14 days	Run match with force_for_new_devices: true
Push cert	< 30 days	Regenerate in Apple Developer Portal, update server

Submission Type Selection

IF internal testing needed:
  ├── iOS: Use TestFlight external groups (up to 10,000 testers)
  └── Android: Use internal track (up to 100 testers)
ELSE IF public beta:
  ├── iOS: Use TestFlight public link
  └── Android: Use closed track with opt-in URL
ELSE IF production ready:
  ├── Check if all store requirements met (see Quality Gates)
  └── Use production/release track

Failure Modes

Match Credential Mismatch

• Symptom: "No certificate found" or "Profile doesn't match certificate"
• Diagnosis: Git repo out of sync or team member generated certs manually
• Fix: Run fastlane match nuke, regenerate all certificates, commit to match repo

App Review Rejection - Missing Info

• Symptom: "We need additional information to review your app"
• Diagnosis: Missing demo credentials, contact info, or review notes
• Fix: Add demo_user.txt, demo_password.txt, and detailed notes.txt in fastlane/metadata/review_information/

Build Timeout on Large Apps