# Asc Init

> Initialise a project's App Store Connect context using the `asc init` command. Use this skill when: (1) Saving app context to a project directory: "asc init", "pin my app ID", "set up project context" (2) Auto-detecting the app from an Xcode project: user says "run asc init in my project folder" (3) Searching by app name: "asc init --name 'My App'" (4) Explaining what .asc/project.json is used for (5) Reading saved project context to avoid running asc apps list every session (6) Saving review contact info: "asc init --contact-email ...", "set review contact", "save review contact"

- Skill: `tddworks/asc-init` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tddworks/asc-init`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tddworks/asc-init/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: tddworks (https://skillmd.com/u/tddworks)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tddworks/asc-init

---


# asc init — Project Context Initialisation

Saves the app ID, name, bundle ID, and optional review contact info to `.asc/project.json` in the current directory. Future commands and agents read this file instead of calling `asc apps list` every session.

## Commands

### init — pin project context

```bash
# Direct (no API list call)
asc init --app-id <id> [--pretty]

# By name (case-insensitive search)
asc init --name "My App" [--pretty]

# Auto-detect from *.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj in cwd
asc init [--pretty]

# With review contact info
asc init --app-id <id> \
  --contact-first-name "Jane" \
  --contact-last-name "Smith" \
  --contact-email "jane@example.com" \
  --contact-phone "+1-555-0100" \
  [--pretty]
```

Priority: `--app-id` > `--name` > auto-detect. Contact flags are optional and can be combined with any detection mode.

## What Gets Saved

`./.asc/project.json` (contact fields omitted when not set):

```json
{
  "appId":    "1234567890",
  "appName":  "My App",
  "bundleId": "com.example.myapp",
  "contactEmail": "jane@example.com",
  "contactFirstName": "Jane",
  "contactLastName": "Smith",
  "contactPhone": "+1-555-0100"
}
```

## JSON Output

When contact info is saved, the output includes contact fields and an `updateReviewContact` affordance. Without contact info, a `setReviewContact` affordance is shown instead.

```json
{
  "data": [
    {
      "affordances": {
        "checkReadiness": "asc versions check-readiness --version-id <id>",
        "listAppInfos":   "asc app-infos list --app-id 1234567890",
        "listBuilds":     "asc builds list --app-id 1234567890",
        "listVersions":   "asc versions list --app-id 1234567890",
        "updateReviewContact": "asc init --app-id 1234567890 --contact-email ... --contact-phone ..."
      },
      "appId":    "1234567890",
      "appName":  "My App",
      "bundleId": "com.example.myapp",
      "contactEmail": "jane@example.com",
      "contactFirstName": "Jane",
      "contactLastName": "Smith",
      "contactPhone": "+1-555-0100"
    }
  ]
}
```

## Typical Workflow

```bash
# 1. Run once per project directory
cd /path/to/MyApp
asc init --pretty

# 2. In subsequent sessions, read the saved context
APP_ID=$(jq -r '.appId' .asc/project.json)

# 3. Use normally — no need for asc apps list
asc versions list --app-id "$APP_ID"
asc builds list   --app-id "$APP_ID"
```

## Auto-detect Logic

When no flags are given, `asc init` scans `*.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj` files in the current directory and extracts `PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER` values. It then matches those bundle IDs against your App Store Connect apps.

Variable references like `$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)` are skipped — only literal values are matched.

## Error Cases

| Situation | Error |
|-----------|-------|
| `--name` given but no app matches | `No app named '…'. Run asc apps list to see available apps.` |
| Auto-detect: no `.xcodeproj` found | `No Xcode project found. Use --app-id or --name.` |
| Auto-detect: bundle IDs don't match any ASC app | `No ASC app matched bundle IDs: com.example.app` |

## See Also

- Full feature doc: `docs/features/init.md`
- Follow affordances from the output to list versions, builds, or app infos without knowing the app ID