Build Debugging

Overview

Check dependencies BEFORE blaming code. Core principle 80% of persistent build failures are dependency resolution issues (CocoaPods, SPM, framework conflicts), not code bugs.

Example Prompts

These are real questions developers ask that this skill is designed to answer:

1. "I added a Swift Package but I'm getting 'No such module' errors. The package is in my Xcode project but won't compile."

→ The skill covers SPM resolution workflows, package cache clearing, and framework search path diagnostics

2. "The build is failing with 'Multiple commands produce' the same output file. How do I figure out which files are duplicated?"

→ The skill shows how to identify duplicate target membership and resolve file conflicts in build settings

3. "CocoaPods installed dependencies successfully but the build still fails. How do I debug CocoaPods issues?"

→ The skill covers Podfile.lock conflict resolution, linking errors, and version constraint debugging

4. "My build works on my Mac but fails on the CI server. Both machines have the latest Xcode. What's different?"

→ The skill explains dependency caching differences, environment-specific paths, and reproducible build strategies

5. "I'm getting framework version conflicts and I don't know which dependency is causing it. How do I resolve this?"

→ The skill demonstrates dependency graph analysis and version constraint resolution strategies for complex dependency trees

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Red Flags — Dependency/Build Issues

If you see ANY of these, suspect dependency problem:

• "No such module" after adding package
• "Multiple commands produce" same output file
• Build succeeds on one machine, fails on another
• CocoaPods install succeeds but build fails
• SPM resolution takes forever or times out
• Framework version conflicts in error logs

Quick Decision Tree

Build failing?
├─ "No such module XYZ"?
│  ├─ After adding SPM package?
│  │  └─ Clean build folder + reset package caches
│  ├─ After pod install?
│  │  └─ Check Podfile.lock conflicts
│  └─ Framework not found?
│     └─ Check FRAMEWORK_SEARCH_PATHS
├─ "Multiple commands produce"?
│  └─ Duplicate files in target membership
├─ SPM resolution hangs?
│  └─ Clear package caches + derived data
└─ Version conflicts?
   └─ Use dependency resolution strategies below

Common Build Issues

Issue 1: SPM Package Not Found

Symptom: "No such module PackageName" after adding Swift Package

❌ WRONG:

# Rebuilding without cleaning
xcodebuild build

✅ CORRECT:

# Reset package caches first
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/org.swift.swiftpm

# Reset packages in project
xcodebuild -resolvePackageDependencies

# Clean build
xcodebuild clean build -scheme YourScheme

Issue 2: CocoaPods Conflicts

Symptom: Pod install succeeds but build fails with framework errors

Check Podfile.lock:

# See what versions were actually installed
cat Podfile.lock | grep -A 2 "PODS:"

# Compare with Podfile requirements
cat Podfile | grep "pod "

Fix version conflicts:

# Podfile - be explicit about versions
pod 'Alamofire', '~> 5.8.0'  # Not just 'Alamofire'
pod 'SwiftyJSON', '5.0.1'     # Exact version if needed

Clean reinstall:

# Remove all pods
rm -rf Pods/
rm Podfile.lock

# Reinstall
pod install

# Open workspace (not project!)
open YourApp.xcworkspace

Issue 3: Multiple Commands Produce Error

Symptom: "Multiple commands produce '/path/to/file'"

Cause: Same file added to multiple targets or build phases

Fix:

1. Open Xcode
2. Select file in navigator
3. File Inspector → Target Membership
4. Uncheck duplicate targets
5. Or: Build Phases → Copy Bundle Resources → remove duplicates

Issue 4: Framework Search Paths

Symptom: "Framework not found" or "Linker command failed"

Check build settings:

# Show all build settings
xcodebuild -showBuildSettings -scheme YourScheme | grep FRAMEWORK_SEARCH_PATHS

Fix in Xcode:

1. Target → Build Settings
2. Search "Framework Search Paths"
3. Add path: $(PROJECT_DIR)/Frameworks (recursive)
4. Or: $(inherited) to inherit from project

Issue 5: SPM Version Conflicts

Symptom: Package resolution fails with version conflicts

See dependency graph:

# In project directory
swift package show-dependencies

# Or see resolved versions
cat Package.resolved

Fix conflicts:

// Package.swift - be explicit
.package(url: "https://github.com/owner/repo", exact: "1.2.3")  // Exact version
.package(url: "https://github.com/owner/repo", from: "1.2.0")   // Minimum version
.package(url: "https://github.com/owner/repo", .upToNextMajor(from: "1.0.0"))  // SemVer

Reset resolution:

# Clear package caches
rm -rf .build
rm Package.resolved

# Re-resolve
swift package resolve

Dependency Resolution Strategies

Strategy 1: Lock to Specific Versions

When stability matters more than latest features:

CocoaPods:

pod 'Alamofire', '5.8.0'      # Exact version
pod 'SwiftyJSON', '~> 5.0.0'  # Any 5.0.x

SPM:

.package(url: "...", exact: "1.2.3")

Strategy 2: Use Version Ranges

When you want bug fixes but not breaking changes:

CocoaPods:

pod 'Alamofire', '~> 5.8'     # 5.8.x but not 5.9
pod 'SwiftyJSON', '>= 5.0', '< 6.0'  # Range

SPM:

.package(url: "...", from: "1.2.0")              // 1.2.0 and higher
.package(url: "...", .upToNextMajor(from: "1.0.0"))  // 1.x.x but not 2.0.0

Strategy 3: Fork and Pin

When you need custom modifications:

# Fork repo on GitHub
# Clone your fork
git clone https://github.com/yourname/package.git

# In Package.swift, use your fork
.package(url: "https://github.com/yourname/package", branch: "custom-fixes")

Strategy 4: Exclude Transitive Dependencies

When a dependency's dependency conflicts:

SPM (not directly supported, use workarounds):

// Instead of this:
.package(url: "https://github.com/problematic/package")

// Fork it and remove the conflicting dependency from its Package.swift

CocoaPods:

# Exclude specific subspecs
pod 'Firebase/Core'  # Not all of Firebase
pod 'Firebase/Analytics'

Build Configuration Issues

Debug vs Release Differences

Symptom: Builds in Debug, fails in Release (or vice versa)

Check optimization settings:

# Compare Debug and Release settings
xcodebuild -showBuildSettings -configuration Debug > debug.txt
xcodebuild -showBuildSettings -configuration Release > release.txt
diff debug.txt release.txt

Common culprits:

• SWIFT_OPTIMIZATION_LEVEL (-Onone vs -O)
• ENABLE_TESTABILITY (YES in Debug, NO in Release)
• DEBUG preprocessor flag
• Code signing settings

Workspace vs Project

Always open workspace with CocoaPods:

# ❌ WRONG
open YourApp.xcodeproj

# ✅ CORRECT
open YourApp.xcworkspace

Check which you're building:

# For workspace
xcodebuild -workspace YourApp.xcworkspace -scheme YourScheme build

# For project only (no CocoaPods)
xcodebuild -project YourApp.xcodeproj -scheme YourScheme build

Pressure Scenarios: When to Resist "Quick Fix" Advice

The Problem

Under deadline pressure, senior engineers and teammates provide "quick fixes" based on pattern-matching:

• "Just regenerate the lock file"
• "Increment the build number"
• "Delete DerivedData and rebuild"

These feel safe because they come from experience. But if the diagnosis is wrong, the fix wastes time you don't have.

Critical insight Time pressure makes authority bias STRONGER. You're more likely to trust advice when stressed.

Red Flags — STOP Before Acting

If you hear ANY of these, pause 5 minutes before executing:

• ❌ "This smells like..." (pattern-matching, not diagnosis)
• ❌ "Just..." (underestimating complexity)
• ❌ "This usually fixes it" (worked once ≠ works always)
• ❌ "You have plenty of time" (overconfidence about 24-hour turnaround)
• ❌ "This is safe" (regenerating lock files CAN break things)

Your brain under pressure Trusts these phrases because they sound confident. Doesn't ask "but do they have evidence THIS is the root cause?"

Mandatory Diagnosis Before "Quick Fix"

When someone senior suggests a fix under time pressure:

Step 1: Ask (Don't argue)

"I understand the pressure. Before we regenerate lock files,
can we spend 5 minutes comparing the broken build to our
working build? I want to know what we're fixing."

Step 2: Demand Evidence

• "What makes you think it's a lock file issue?"
• "What changed between our last successful build and this failure?"
• "Can we see the actual error from App Store build vs our build?"

Step 3: Document the Gamble

If we try "pod install":
- Time to execute: 10 minutes
- Time to learn it failed: 24 hours (next submission cycle)
- Remaining time if it fails: 6 days
- Alternative: Spend 1-2 hours diagnosing first

Cost of being wrong with quick fix: High
Cost of spending 1 hour on diagnosis: Low

Step 4: Push Back Professionally

"I want to move fast too. A 1-hour diagnosis now means we
won't waste another 24-hour cycle. Let's document what we're
testing before we submit."

Why this works

• You're not questioning their expertise
• You're asking for evidence (legitimate request)
• You're showing you understand the pressure
• You're making the time math visible

Real-World Example: App Store Review Blocker

Scenario App rejected in App Store build, passes locally.

Senior says "Regenerate lock file and resubmit (7 days buffer)"

What you do

1. ❌ WRONG: Execute immediately, fail after 24 hours, now 6 days left
2. ✅ RIGHT: Spend 1 hour comparing builds first

Comparison checklist

Local build that works:
- Pod versions in Podfile.lock: [list them]
- Xcode version: [version]
- Derived Data: [timestamp]
- CocoaPods version: [version]

App Store build that fails:
- Pod versions used: [from error message]
- Build system: [App Store's environment]
- Differences: [explicitly document]

After comparison

• If versions match: Lock file isn't the issue. Skip the quick fix.
• If versions differ: Now you understand what to fix.

Time saved 24 hours of wasted iteration.

When to Trust Quick Fixes (Rare)

Quick fixes are safe ONLY when:

• You've seen this EXACT error before (not "similar")
• You know the root cause (not "this usually works")
• You can reproduce it locally (so you know if fix worked)
• You have >48 hours buffer (so failure costs less)
• You documented the fix in case you need to explain it later

In production crises, NONE of these are usually true.

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Testing Checklist

When Adding Dependencies

• Specify exact versions or ranges (not just latest)
• Check for known conflicts with existing deps
• Test clean build after adding
• Commit lockfile (Podfile.lock or Package.resolved)

When Builds Fail

• Run mandatory environment checks (xcode-debugging skill)
• Check dependency lockfiles for changes
• Verify using correct workspace/project file
• Compare working vs broken build settings

Before Shipping

• Test both Debug and Release builds
• Verify all dependencies have compatible licenses
• Check binary size impact of dependencies
• Test on clean machine or CI

Common Mistakes

❌ Not Committing Lockfiles

# ❌ BAD: .gitignore includes lockfiles
Podfile.lock
Package.resolved

Why: Team members get different versions, builds differ

❌ Using "Latest" Version

# ❌ BAD: No version specified
pod 'Alamofire'

Why: Breaking changes when dependency updates

❌ Mixing Package Managers

Project uses both:
- CocoaPods (Podfile)
- Carthage (Cartfile)
- SPM (Package.swift)

Why: Conflicts are inevitable, pick one primary manager

❌ Not Cleaning After Dependency Changes

# ❌ BAD: Just rebuild
xcodebuild build

# ✅ GOOD: Clean first
xcodebuild clean build

❌ Opening Project Instead of Workspace

When using CocoaPods, always open .xcworkspace not .xcodeproj

Command Reference

# CocoaPods
pod install                    # Install dependencies
pod update                     # Update to latest versions
pod update PodName             # Update specific pod
pod outdated                   # Check for updates
pod deintegrate                # Remove CocoaPods from project

# Swift Package Manager
swift package resolve          # Resolve dependencies
swift package update           # Update dependencies
swift package show-dependencies # Show dependency tree
swift package reset            # Reset package cache
xcodebuild -resolvePackageDependencies  # Xcode's SPM resolve

# Carthage
carthage update                # Update dependencies
carthage bootstrap             # Download pre-built frameworks
carthage build --platform iOS  # Build for specific platform

# Xcode Build
xcodebuild clean               # Clean build folder
xcodebuild -list               # List schemes and targets
xcodebuild -showBuildSettings  # Show all build settings

Real-World Impact

Before (trial-and-error with dependencies):

• Dependency issue: 2-4 hours debugging
• Clean builds not run consistently
• Version conflicts surprise team
• CI failures from dependency mismatches

After (systematic dependency management):

• Dependency issue: 15-30 minutes (check lockfile → resolve)
• Clean builds mandatory after dep changes
• Explicit version constraints prevent surprises
• CI matches local builds (committed lockfiles)

Key insight Lock down dependency versions early. Flexibility causes more problems than it solves.

Resources

Docs: swift.org/package-manager, /xcode/build-system

GitHub: Carthage/Carthage

Skills: axiom-xcode-debugging

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History: See git log for changes