App Store Connect

App Store Connect Skill

Overview

This skill provides comprehensive capabilities for Apple App Store submission and management. It enables interaction with App Store Connect API, metadata management, TestFlight distribution, and app lifecycle management.

Allowed Tools

• bash - Execute xcrun, altool, and Transporter commands
• read - Analyze app metadata and configuration files
• write - Generate metadata files and API configurations
• edit - Update app store metadata
• glob - Search for metadata and screenshot files
• grep - Search for patterns in configurations

Capabilities

App Store Connect API

1. API Authentication

   • Configure API keys and JWT tokens
   • Implement token refresh logic
   • Handle rate limiting
   • Configure team and issuer IDs

2. App Management

   • Create and manage app records
   • Configure app capabilities
   • Manage bundle IDs
   • Handle app transfers

Build Management

3. Build Upload

   • Upload builds via Transporter
   • Configure altool uploads
   • Handle build processing status
   • Manage build metadata
   • Configure App Store connect upload

4. Build Information

   • Track build processing
   • Configure build usage compliance
   • Manage export compliance
   • Handle build expiration

TestFlight

5. Beta Distribution

   • Configure internal testing groups
   • Manage external beta testers
   • Set up beta build distribution
   • Handle beta app review
   • Configure test information

6. Beta Feedback

   • Collect crash reports
   • Manage feedback submissions
   • Track tester engagement
   • Analyze beta metrics

Metadata Management

7. App Information

   • Configure app name and subtitle
   • Set primary and secondary categories
   • Manage age ratings
   • Configure privacy policy URLs
   • Set support and marketing URLs

8. Version Metadata

   • Write descriptions and keywords
   • Manage what's new text
   • Configure promotional text
   • Handle copyright information

9. Media Assets

   • Upload app screenshots
   • Configure app previews
   • Manage app icons
   • Handle different device sizes

In-App Purchases

10. IAP Configuration
    • Create consumable products
    • Configure subscriptions
    • Set up subscription groups
    • Handle promotional offers
    • Configure introductory pricing

Submission

11. Review Submission

    • Submit for App Review
    • Handle review notes
    • Configure demo account
    • Manage review attachments
    • Track review status

12. Release Management

    • Configure release options
    • Set up phased releases
    • Handle manual releases
    • Manage version releases

Target Processes

This skill integrates with the following processes:

• ios-appstore-submission.js - App Store submission
• beta-testing-setup.js - TestFlight configuration
• app-store-optimization.js - ASO metadata
• automated-release-management.js - Release automation

Dependencies

Required

• Apple Developer account
• App Store Connect access
• Xcode (for Transporter)
• Valid signing certificates

Optional

• Fastlane
• App Store Connect API key
• Transporter app

Configuration

API Key Setup

# Generate API key in App Store Connect
# Users and Access > Keys > App Store Connect API

# Key file structure
AuthKey_XXXXXXXXXX.p8

Environment Variables

# App Store Connect API
export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID="XXXXXXXXXX"
export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_ISSUER_ID="xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx"
export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_PATH="./AuthKey_XXXXXXXXXX.p8"

# Alternative: Base64 encoded key
export APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY="$(cat AuthKey.p8 | base64)"

Usage Examples

Upload Build with xcrun

# Validate IPA
xcrun altool --validate-app \
  --file ./build/MyApp.ipa \
  --type ios \
  --apiKey XXXXXXXXXX \
  --apiIssuer xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx

# Upload IPA
xcrun altool --upload-app \
  --file ./build/MyApp.ipa \
  --type ios \
  --apiKey XXXXXXXXXX \
  --apiIssuer xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx

Fastlane Deliver Configuration

# fastlane/Deliverfile
app_identifier("com.example.myapp")
username("developer@example.com")

# Metadata
name({
  "en-US" => "My Awesome App",
  "es-ES" => "Mi Aplicacion Increible"
})

subtitle({
  "en-US" => "The best app ever",
  "es-ES" => "La mejor app del mundo"
})

# Keywords (comma-separated)
keywords({
  "en-US" => "productivity,tasks,notes,todo",
  "es-ES" => "productividad,tareas,notas"
})

# URLs
support_url("https://example.com/support")
marketing_url("https://example.com")
privacy_url("https://example.com/privacy")

# App Review Information
app_review_information(
  first_name: "John",
  last_name: "Doe",
  phone_number: "+1 555 555 5555",
  email_address: "review@example.com",
  demo_user: "demo@example.com",
  demo_password: "demo123",
  notes: "Demo account is pre-configured with sample data"
)

# Submission
submit_for_review(false)
automatic_release(false)
phased_release(true)

# Precheck
precheck_include_in_app_purchases(false)

Metadata Directory Structure

fastlane/metadata/
├── en-US/
│   ├── name.txt
│   ├── subtitle.txt
│   ├── description.txt
│   ├── keywords.txt
│   ├── release_notes.txt
│   ├── promotional_text.txt
│   ├── support_url.txt
│   ├── marketing_url.txt
│   └── privacy_url.txt
├── es-ES/
│   └── ... (same structure)
├── review_information/
│   ├── first_name.txt
│   ├── last_name.txt
│   ├── phone_number.txt
│   ├── email_address.txt
│   ├── demo_user.txt
│   ├── demo_password.txt
│   └── notes.txt
├── copyright.txt
├── primary_category.txt
├── secondary_category.txt
└── trade_representative_contact_information/

Screenshots Directory

fastlane/screenshots/
├── en-US/
│   ├── iPhone 15 Pro Max-1_home.png
│   ├── iPhone 15 Pro Max-2_feature.png
│   ├── iPhone 15 Pro Max-3_settings.png
│   ├── iPhone 15 Pro-1_home.png
│   ├── iPad Pro (12.9-inch)-1_home.png
│   └── ...
└── es-ES/
    └── ...

App Store Connect API Usage

// Example: Fetching apps using App Store Connect API
import Foundation

struct AppStoreConnectClient {
    let keyId: String
    let issuerId: String
    let privateKey: String

    func generateToken() -> String {
        // Generate JWT token
        let header = ["alg": "ES256", "kid": keyId, "typ": "JWT"]
        let payload = [
            "iss": issuerId,
            "exp": Int(Date().addingTimeInterval(20 * 60).timeIntervalSince1970),
            "aud": "appstoreconnect-v1"
        ]
        // Sign with ES256
        return jwt
    }

    func fetchApps() async throws -> [App] {
        let url = URL(string: "https://api.appstoreconnect.apple.com/v1/apps")!
        var request = URLRequest(url: url)
        request.setValue("Bearer \(generateToken())", forHTTPHeaderField: "Authorization")

        let (data, _) = try await URLSession.shared.data(for: request)
        let response = try JSONDecoder().decode(AppsResponse.self, from: data)
        return response.data
    }
}

TestFlight Configuration

# fastlane/Fastfile
lane :beta do
  # Build
  gym(scheme: "MyApp")

  # Upload to TestFlight
  pilot(
    skip_waiting_for_build_processing: false,
    distribute_external: true,
    notify_external_testers: true,

    # Beta groups
    groups: ["Internal Testers", "External Beta"],

    # Changelog
    changelog: "Bug fixes and performance improvements",

    # Beta App Review
    beta_app_review_info: {
      contact_email: "review@example.com",
      contact_first_name: "John",
      contact_last_name: "Doe",
      contact_phone: "+1 555 555 5555",
      demo_account_name: "demo@example.com",
      demo_account_password: "demo123",
      notes: "Testing instructions here"
    },

    # Localized info
    localized_build_info: {
      "en-US" => {
        whats_new: "Bug fixes and improvements"
      },
      "es-ES" => {
        whats_new: "Correcciones y mejoras"
      }
    }
  )
end

In-App Purchase Configuration

{
  "iaps": [
    {
      "product_id": "com.example.premium_monthly",
      "type": "auto_renewable_subscription",
      "reference_name": "Premium Monthly",
      "subscription_group": "Premium",
      "pricing": [
        {
          "country": "USA",
          "price_tier": 4
        }
      ],
      "localizations": [
        {
          "locale": "en-US",
          "name": "Premium Monthly",
          "description": "Unlock all premium features"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Quality Gates

Submission Readiness

• All required metadata complete
• Screenshots for all required sizes
• Privacy policy URL valid
• Age rating configured
• App review information complete

Build Requirements

• Valid code signing
• No missing entitlements
• Export compliance configured
• Build processed successfully

Compliance

• App Privacy questionnaire complete
• IDFA usage declared
• Third-party code disclosed

Related Skills

• fastlane-cicd - Build automation
• swift-swiftui - iOS development
• mobile-security - App security

Version History

• 1.0.0 - Initial release with App Store Connect API support