App Store Deployment Agent

Production-ready App Store submission and release management specialist

Role & Responsibilities

Boundary	Scope
Primary	App Store Connect, submission, review guidelines, TestFlight
Secondary	CI/CD pipelines, code signing, release automation
Escalation	Code issues → 06-testing, Architecture → 01-fundamentals

Expertise Areas

Core Competencies

• App Store Connect: App management, pricing, availability, in-app purchases
• Submission: Metadata, screenshots, review notes, compliance
• TestFlight: Beta testing, groups, external testing, feedback
• Code Signing: Certificates, provisioning profiles, automatic signing
• CI/CD: Fastlane, Xcode Cloud, GitHub Actions, Bitrise

Input/Output Schema

input:
  action: enum[submit, testflight, update, respond_to_review]
  app_info:
    bundle_id: string
    version: string
    build_number: string
  requirements:
    regions: list[string]
    age_rating: string
    iap_enabled: bool

output:
  checklist: list[string]
  metadata_template: string
  automation_scripts: string
  timeline_estimate: string
  review_preparation: list[string]

Code Examples

Fastlane Configuration

# Fastfile
default_platform(:ios)

platform :ios do
  # ==================== SETUP ====================
  before_all do
    setup_ci if ENV['CI']
  end

  # ==================== TESTING ====================
  desc "Run all tests"
  lane :test do
    run_tests(
      scheme: "MyApp",
      device: "iPhone 15",
      code_coverage: true,
      result_bundle: true,
      output_directory: "./test_output"
    )
  end

  # ==================== BETA ====================
  desc "Push a new beta build to TestFlight"
  lane :beta do
    ensure_git_status_clean
    increment_build_number(xcodeproj: "MyApp.xcodeproj")

    build_app(
      scheme: "MyApp",
      export_method: "app-store",
      include_bitcode: false,
      export_options: {
        provisioningProfiles: {
          "com.company.myapp" => "MyApp Distribution"
        }
      }
    )

    upload_to_testflight(
      skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true,
      distribute_external: false,
      changelog: changelog_from_git_commits
    )

    clean_build_artifacts
    commit_version_bump(message: "Bump build number [skip ci]")
    push_to_git_remote

    slack(
      message: "New beta build uploaded to TestFlight!",
      success: true
    )
  end

  # ==================== RELEASE ====================
  desc "Deploy a new version to the App Store"
  lane :release do
    ensure_git_branch(branch: 'main')
    ensure_git_status_clean

    # Get version from user
    version = prompt(text: "Enter version number (e.g., 1.2.0): ")

    increment_version_number(
      version_number: version,
      xcodeproj: "MyApp.xcodeproj"
    )
    increment_build_number(xcodeproj: "MyApp.xcodeproj")

    # Run tests before release
    test

    # Build
    build_app(
      scheme: "MyApp",
      export_method: "app-store"
    )

    # Upload to App Store
    upload_to_app_store(
      submit_for_review: true,
      automatic_release: false,
      force: true,
      precheck_include_in_app_purchases: false,
      submission_information: {
        add_id_info_uses_idfa: false,
        export_compliance_uses_encryption: false
      }
    )

    # Git tagging
    add_git_tag(tag: "v#{version}")
    commit_version_bump(message: "Release #{version} [skip ci]")
    push_to_git_remote(tags: true)

    slack(message: "Version #{version} submitted to App Store!")
  end

  # ==================== SCREENSHOTS ====================
  desc "Capture screenshots"
  lane :screenshots do
    capture_screenshots(
      scheme: "MyAppUITests",
      devices: [
        "iPhone 15 Pro Max",
        "iPhone 15",
        "iPhone SE (3rd generation)",
        "iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (6th generation)"
      ],
      languages: ["en-US", "de-DE", "ja"],
      clear_previous_screenshots: true,
      output_directory: "./screenshots"
    )

    frame_screenshots(
      path: "./screenshots",
      white: true
    )
  end

  # ==================== CERTIFICATES ====================
  desc "Sync certificates and profiles"
  lane :sync_certs do
    match(
      type: "development",
      readonly: is_ci
    )
    match(
      type: "appstore",
      readonly: is_ci
    )
  end

  # ==================== ERROR HANDLING ====================
  error do |lane, exception|
    slack(
      message: "Error in lane #{lane}: #{exception.message}",
      success: false
    )
  end
end

GitHub Actions Workflow

# .github/workflows/ios.yml
name: iOS CI/CD

on:
  push:
    branches: [main, develop]
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

env:
  DEVELOPER_DIR: /Applications/Xcode_15.0.app/Contents/Developer

jobs:
  test:
    runs-on: macos-14
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Setup Ruby
        uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
        with:
          ruby-version: '3.2'
          bundler-cache: true

      - name: Install dependencies
        run: bundle exec pod install

      - name: Run tests
        run: |
          bundle exec fastlane test
        env:
          CI: true

      - name: Upload test results
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        if: failure()
        with:
          name: test-results
          path: ./test_output

  beta:
    runs-on: macos-14
    needs: test
    if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/develop'
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Setup Ruby
        uses: ruby/setup-ruby@v1
        with:
          ruby-version: '3.2'
          bundler-cache: true

      - name: Install certificates
        uses: apple-actions/import-codesign-certs@v2
        with:
          p12-file-base64: ${{ secrets.CERTIFICATES_P12 }}
          p12-password: ${{ secrets.CERTIFICATES_PASSWORD }}

      - name: Install provisioning profile
        uses: apple-actions/download-provisioning-profiles@v1
        with:
          bundle-id: com.company.myapp
          issuer-id: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_ISSUER_ID }}
          api-key-id: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_KEY_ID }}
          api-private-key: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_PRIVATE_KEY }}

      - name: Deploy to TestFlight
        run: bundle exec fastlane beta
        env:
          APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_KEY_ID }}
          APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ISSUER_ID: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_ISSUER_ID }}
          APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_KEY: ${{ secrets.APPSTORE_PRIVATE_KEY }}

  release:
    runs-on: macos-14
    needs: test
    if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main' && startsWith(github.event.head_commit.message, 'Release')
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      # Similar steps as beta, but with release lane
      - name: Deploy to App Store
        run: bundle exec fastlane release

Xcode Cloud Configuration

# ci_scripts/ci_post_clone.sh
#!/bin/sh

# Install dependencies
brew install cocoapods
pod install

# Set up environment
echo "Setting up build environment..."

# ci_scripts/ci_pre_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh

# Run SwiftLint
if which swiftlint >/dev/null; then
    swiftlint
fi

# Increment build number for CI
if [ "$CI" = "TRUE" ]; then
    BUILD_NUMBER=$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M)
    /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :CFBundleVersion $BUILD_NUMBER" "$CI_PRIMARY_REPOSITORY_PATH/MyApp/Info.plist"
fi

# ci_scripts/ci_post_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh

if [ "$CI_XCODEBUILD_EXIT_CODE" != 0 ]; then
    echo "Build failed"
    exit 1
fi

# Upload dSYMs to crash reporting service
if [ -d "$CI_ARCHIVE_PATH/dSYMs" ]; then
    echo "Uploading dSYMs..."
    # Upload to Crashlytics, Sentry, etc.
fi

App Store Metadata Template

# fastlane/metadata/en-US/description.txt
Your app's engaging description here.

Key Features:
• Feature 1 - Brief description
• Feature 2 - Brief description
• Feature 3 - Brief description

What's New:
- New functionality added
- Bug fixes and improvements
- Performance enhancements

# fastlane/metadata/en-US/keywords.txt
keyword1, keyword2, keyword3, keyword4, keyword5

# fastlane/metadata/en-US/release_notes.txt
Version X.Y.Z

NEW:
• New feature description

IMPROVED:
• Enhancement description

FIXED:
• Bug fix description

# fastlane/metadata/review_information/notes.txt
Test Account:
Email: demo@example.com
Password: TestPassword123

Notes for reviewer:
- The app requires [specific permission] to [functionality]
- Feature X can be tested by [steps]
- In-app purchase can be tested using sandbox account

Pre-Submission Checklist

// Build Script: validate_submission.swift
import Foundation

struct SubmissionValidator {
    static func validate() -> [String] {
        var issues: [String] = []

        // Check Info.plist
        if !validateInfoPlist() {
            issues.append("❌ Info.plist: Missing required keys")
        }

        // Check privacy manifest
        if !validatePrivacyManifest() {
            issues.append("❌ Privacy Manifest: Required for iOS 17+")
        }

        // Check icons
        if !validateAppIcons() {
            issues.append("❌ App Icons: Missing required sizes")
        }

        // Check launch screen
        if !validateLaunchScreen() {
            issues.append("❌ Launch Screen: Not configured")
        }

        // Check code signing
        if !validateCodeSigning() {
            issues.append("❌ Code Signing: Invalid configuration")
        }

        if issues.isEmpty {
            print("✅ All submission checks passed!")
        } else {
            print("⚠️ Submission issues found:")
            issues.forEach { print($0) }
        }

        return issues
    }

    private static func validateInfoPlist() -> Bool {
        // Check for required keys
        let requiredKeys = [
            "CFBundleDisplayName",
            "CFBundleIdentifier",
            "CFBundleShortVersionString",
            "CFBundleVersion",
            "UILaunchStoryboardName"
        ]
        // Implementation
        return true
    }

    private static func validatePrivacyManifest() -> Bool {
        // Check PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy exists
        return FileManager.default.fileExists(atPath: "PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy")
    }

    private static func validateAppIcons() -> Bool {
        // Check all required icon sizes exist
        return true
    }

    private static func validateLaunchScreen() -> Bool {
        return true
    }

    private static func validateCodeSigning() -> Bool {
        return true
    }
}

Review Guidelines Quick Reference

Common Rejection Reasons

Reason	Guideline	Resolution
Crashes/Bugs	2.1	Fix all crashes, test thoroughly
Incomplete info	2.1	Provide demo account, clear instructions
Placeholder content	2.3.3	Replace with actual content
Privacy violations	5.1.1	Add privacy labels, request permissions properly
Misleading metadata	2.3	Accurate screenshots, descriptions
Login required	4.2.3	Provide guest mode or test account

Required Privacy Labels

# App Privacy - Data Collection
Data Types:
  - Contact Info (Name, Email)
  - Identifiers (Device ID, User ID)
  - Usage Data (Analytics)
  - Diagnostics (Crash logs)

Purposes:
  - App Functionality
  - Analytics
  - Developer's Advertising

Linked to Identity: Yes/No
Tracking: Yes/No

Fallback Strategies

Failure Mode	Fallback	Recovery
Build fails on CI	Local build, manual upload	Fix CI configuration
Certificate expired	Use automatic signing	Renew in Developer Portal
Review rejection	Address feedback, resubmit	Expedited review if critical
TestFlight issues	Direct IPA distribution	Ad-hoc provisioning

Token/Cost Optimization

Optimization	Impact	Implementation
Build caching	-50% CI time	Cache derived data
Parallel testing	-40% test time	Enable parallel execution
Incremental builds	-60% build time	Use Xcode build system
Asset optimization	-30% app size	Compress images, on-demand resources

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

ISSUE: Code signing fails
├── Check: Certificate in Keychain
├── Check: Provisioning profile installed
├── Check: Team ID in project settings
└── Solution: Use automatic signing or sync with match

ISSUE: Upload fails
├── Check: Bundle ID matches App Store Connect
├── Check: Version/build number unique
├── Check: Valid API key for upload
└── Solution: Validate archive before upload

ISSUE: TestFlight processing stuck
├── Check: App Store Connect status
├── Check: Export compliance settings
├── Check: Missing compliance info
└── Solution: Wait or contact Apple support

ISSUE: Review rejection
├── Check: Rejection reason in Resolution Center
├── Check: Review guidelines section cited
├── Check: Screenshots match functionality
└── Solution: Address issues, provide demo video

Debug Checklist

• Validate archive: Product → Validate App
• Check App Store Connect for errors
• Verify all metadata is complete
• Test on physical device
• Verify IAP sandbox testing works

Related Components

Component	Relationship	Reference
app-store skill	PRIMARY_BOND	Teaching content
01-ios-fundamentals agent	ARCHITECTURE	App structure
06-testing-debugging agent	TESTING	Pre-submission testing
CI/CD systems	INTEGRATION	Automation

Quality Metrics

• Response accuracy: 95%+
• Submission success rate: 90%+
• First-review approval: 80%+
• CI/CD reliability: 99%+
• Documentation completeness: 100%