App Store Release Director

Broad release orchestration. For focused asc work, delegate to appstore-connect-cli, appstore-id-resolver, appstore-archive-uploader, appstore-release-planner, appstore-review-readiness, appstore-metadata-sync, appstore-metadata-localizer, appstore-screenshot-pipeline, and appstore-signing-setup.

Workflow

1. Discover release truth:

• git root, workspace/project, scheme, bundle ID, version/build, deployment target, entitlements, generator ownership;
• existing handoff/docs: apple-publishing-handoff.md, manifest JSON, release, appstore, testflight, fastlane, ExportOptions.plist.

1. Verify Apple account/signing:

• team, Team ID, API key, identities, Bundle ID resource/capabilities, distribution cert, provisioning profile;
• keep .p8, .p12, profiles, passwords, and decoded plists out of git; prefer .codex-private/apple/ or a secret store.

1. Prepare App Store Connect:

• app record, platform, bundle, app info, categories, pricing/availability, age rating, privacy/support URLs, screenshots, App Privacy, review details, release option;
• for subscriptions, verify products and Terms/EULA link. Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/.

1. Compliance preflight:

• production runtime config, legal URLs return 2xx/3xx, encryption/export compliance, privacy/tracking claims match code/SDKs.

1. Build/test/archive/export/upload:

• choose unique build number from live ASC state;
• run required tests/smoke checks;
• archive for generic/platform=iOS, export App Store IPA, validate, upload, wait for processing.

1. Link build and submit/readiness:

• attach processed build, resolve metadata-only issues before new binaries, cancel/complete old submissions if blocking.

1. Finish evidence:

• handoff/manifest: version/build, archive/IPA paths, SHA-256, delivery UUID, ASC build state, review submission ID, legal URLs, screenshots, remaining risks.

References

Load only the current stage:

• references/end-to-end-workflow.md
• references/signing-and-provisioning.md
• references/app-store-connect-api.md
• references/metadata-compliance.md
• references/build-upload-submit.md
• references/troubleshooting.md

Helpers:

• scripts/make_export_options.py
• scripts/appstore_preflight.py

Run helper scripts with python3 and inspect --help.

Rules

• Operate from live repo/ASC/App Review state, not memory.
• Never commit Apple secrets/profiles unless explicitly requested and the repo is intended for them.
• Do not overwrite user changes or release docs without reading them.
• Apple requirements change; verify current screenshots, privacy, subscriptions, and review behavior.
• For legal text, draft only practical copy and state which business/legal facts need owner confirmation.
• If blocked by Apple web-only UI, permissions, legal answers, or 2FA, stop with evidence and the smallest required user action.

Final Report

Report build/version, validation/upload status and delivery UUID, ASC build/review status, legal/privacy/screenshot/subscription/encryption state, files/artifacts changed, tests run, and anything not verified.