Generate CI/CD configuration for automated builds, tests, and distribution of iOS/macOS apps. Use when setting up GitHub Actions, Xcode Cloud, or fastlane for continuous integration, TestFlight, or App Store deployment.
Scanned 9/6/2026
Install to Claude Code
npx -y skills add rshankras/claude-code-apple-skills --skill ci-cd-setup --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
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---
name: ci-cd-setup
description: Generate CI/CD configuration for automated builds, tests, and distribution of iOS/macOS apps. Use when setting up GitHub Actions, Xcode Cloud, or fastlane for continuous integration, TestFlight, or App Store deployment.
allowed-tools: [Read, Write, Edit, Glob, Grep, Bash, AskUserQuestion]
last_verified: 2026-07-16
review_by: 2027-06-22
---
# CI/CD Setup Generator
Generate CI/CD configuration for automated builds, tests, and distribution of iOS/macOS apps.
## When This Skill Activates
- User wants to automate their build and test process
- User mentions GitHub Actions, Xcode Cloud, or fastlane
- User wants to set up TestFlight or App Store deployment
- User asks about continuous integration for their app
## Pre-Generation Checks
Before generating, verify:
1. **Existing CI Configuration**
```bash
# Check for existing CI files
ls -la .github/workflows/ 2>/dev/null
ls -la ci_scripts/ 2>/dev/null
ls -la fastlane/ 2>/dev/null
```
2. **Project Structure**
```bash
# Find Xcode project/workspace
find . -name "*.xcodeproj" -o -name "*.xcworkspace" | head -5
```
3. **Package Manager**
```bash
# Check for SPM vs CocoaPods
ls Package.swift 2>/dev/null
ls Podfile 2>/dev/null
```
## Configuration Questions
### 1. CI/CD Platform
- **GitHub Actions** (Recommended) - Full control, extensive marketplace
- **Xcode Cloud** - Native Apple integration, simpler setup
- **Both** - GitHub for PRs/tests, Xcode Cloud for releases
### 2. Distribution Method
- **TestFlight** - Beta testing via App Store Connect
- **App Store** - Production releases
- **Direct** (macOS only) - Notarized DMG/PKG distribution
- **All** - Full pipeline from dev to production
### 3. Include fastlane?
- **Yes** - Advanced automation, match for code signing
- **No** - Simpler setup using xcodebuild directly
### 4. Code Signing Approach
- **Manual** - Certificates in GitHub Secrets
- **match** (fastlane) - Git-based certificate management
- **Xcode Cloud Managed** - Apple handles signing
## Generated Files
### GitHub Actions
```
.github/workflows/
├── build-test.yml # PR checks, unit tests
├── deploy-testflight.yml # TestFlight deployment
└── deploy-appstore.yml # App Store submission
```
### Xcode Cloud
```
ci_scripts/
├── ci_post_clone.sh # Post-clone setup
└── ci_pre_xcodebuild.sh # Pre-build configuration
```
### fastlane
```
fastlane/
├── Fastfile # Lane definitions
├── Appfile # App configuration
└── Matchfile # Code signing (if using match)
```
### SwiftLint
```
.swiftlint.yml # from templates/swiftlint/swiftlint.yml
```
## Merging Skill Rule Fragments
Skills in this library may ship graduated enforcement as a
`rules/swiftlint.yml` fragment (`opt_in_rules` + `custom_rules`) — prose
rules turned into deterministic lint. When generating `.swiftlint.yml`:
1. Start from `templates/swiftlint/swiftlint.yml`.
2. For each skill the project actually uses, check for
`skills/<category>/<skill>/rules/swiftlint.yml`; append its
`custom_rules` entries and union its `opt_in_rules`.
3. Respect fragment scoping comments — e.g. `observable_object_legacy`
applies only to iOS 17+/macOS 14+ deployment targets, and
`xctest_in_unit_tests` must keep its UITests exclusion (XCUITest
legitimately requires XCTest).
4. The generated `build-test.yml` runs the `lint` job automatically once
`.swiftlint.yml` exists (`if: hashFiles('.swiftlint.yml') != ''`).
Current fragments: `security/` (hardcoded secrets), `ios/coding-best-practices`
(print-in-production, legacy ObservableObject, force_unwrapping/force_try),
`testing/tdd-feature` (XCTest scoped out of unit tests),
`swift/concurrency` (@unchecked Sendable without justification).
## Integration Steps
### GitHub Actions Setup
1. **Add Repository Secrets** (Settings > Secrets and variables > Actions):
- `APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_ID` - API Key ID
- `APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_ISSUER_ID` - Issuer ID
- `APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY_CONTENT` - Private key (.p8 content)
- `CERTIFICATE_P12` - Base64-encoded .p12 certificate
- `CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD` - Certificate password
- `PROVISIONING_PROFILE` - Base64-encoded provisioning profile
2. **Create App Store Connect API Key**:
- Go to App Store Connect > Users and Access > Keys
- Generate API Key with "App Manager" role
- Download the .p8 file (only available once)
3. **Export Certificate**:
```bash
# Export from Keychain as .p12, then base64 encode
base64 -i certificate.p12 | pbcopy
```
### Xcode Cloud Setup
1. **Enable Xcode Cloud** in Xcode:
- Product > Xcode Cloud > Create Workflow
- Connect to App Store Connect
2. **Configure Workflow**:
- Set start conditions (branch, PR, tag)
- Configure environment variables
- Set up post-actions (TestFlight, App Store)
3. **Add ci_scripts** to repository for customization
### fastlane Setup
1. **Install fastlane**:
```bash
brew install fastlane
```
2. **Initialize** (if starting fresh):
```bash
fastlane init
```
3. **Set up match** (optional, for code signing):
```bash
fastlane match init
fastlane match development
fastlane match appstore
```
## Best Practices
### Caching
- Cache Swift Package Manager dependencies
- Cache DerivedData for faster builds
- Use selective caching to avoid stale artifacts
### Secrets Management
- Never commit certificates or keys
- Use environment variables for sensitive data
- Rotate API keys periodically
### Build Optimization
- Use incremental builds where possible
- Parallelize test execution
- Skip unnecessary steps on draft PRs
### Notifications
- Slack/Discord integration for build status
- Email notifications for failures
- GitHub status checks for PRs
## References
- [GitHub Actions for Xcode](https://github.com/actions/runner-images/blob/main/images/macos)
- [Xcode Cloud Documentation](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/xcode-cloud)
- [fastlane Documentation](https://docs.fastlane.tools)
- [App Store Connect API](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appstoreconnectapi)
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