ios-build

iOS Build

Build system patterns, validation workflows, and troubleshooting. Run validation before every commit.

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The 4-Layer Validation Pipeline

Use the lightest layer that matches your situation.

Layer	Command	Time	What It Catches
1. Fast	make validate-fast	~30s	Lint, isolation violations, safety patterns
2. Full	make validate	~3 min	Layer 1 + archive builds (Swift 6 strict concurrency)
3. Export Test	make export-test-{app}	~5 min	Layer 2 + signing, provisioning, icons, entitlements
4. Upload	bundle exec fastlane alpha	~10 min	Layer 3 + Apple Transporter, TestFlight processing

When to Use Each Layer

• During development: make validate-fast after each significant change
• Before committing: make validate at minimum
• Before pushing: make export-test-{app} for the affected app(s)
• Release: bundle exec fastlane alpha to upload

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Critical Rule: Archive vs Debug Builds

Debug/simulator builds do NOT catch all strict concurrency errors.

Swift 6 strict concurrency checking is more thorough in optimized builds:

# Debug build — misses some concurrency errors
xcodebuild -scheme MyApp -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 17 Pro Max' build

# Archive build — catches ALL concurrency errors
xcodebuild -scheme MyApp -destination 'generic/platform=iOS' archive

Always run archive builds before committing Swift code changes.

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XcodeGen

Project Structure

# project.yml
name: MyApp
targets:
  MyApp-iOS:
    type: application
    platform: iOS
    deploymentTarget: "26.0"
    sources:
      - MyApp-iOS
    dependencies:
      - target: MyAppKit
      - sdk: HealthKit.framework
      - sdk: Speech.framework
    settings:
      base:
        SWIFT_STRICT_CONCURRENCY: complete
        SWIFT_DEFAULT_ACTOR_ISOLATION: MainActor
        PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER: com.example.myapp
    info:
      path: MyApp-iOS/Info.plist
      properties:
        UISupportedInterfaceOrientations: [UIInterfaceOrientationPortrait]
        
  MyAppKit:
    type: framework
    platform: iOS
    sources:
      - MyAppKit/Sources