POLICY: fastlane, never EAS

Local fastlane builds (gym/gradle + deliver/supply) are the default for all native build + store submission. EAS/cloud builders are a deliberate, stated exception — never a silent reach (rule: CodingVault/.claude/CLAUDE.md "Mobile builds"). If the project ships its own build CLI (e.g. modelmind's ./mm), extend that — don't bolt on a second pipeline.

FLOW

1. Load source files — Read fastlane/Fastfile, project build config (build.gradle, *.xcodeproj, app.config.*), any project build CLI, CI config. If no fastlane setup exists, fastlane init and commit the scaffold. (gate: build tooling identified)
2. Identify environment — dev / staging / production. API endpoints, signing creds, feature flags are environment-specific. Signing material lives in keychain or gitignored _meta/keys/ listed in the secrets-backup manifest — never in the tree. (gate: no hardcoded keys or shared signing certs)
3. Build locally — iOS: fastlane gym (or project lane). Android: fastlane lane wrapping gradle bundleRelease → signed AAB. (gate: build completes without error)
4. JS-only vs native change — JS-only updates may use the project's own OTA mechanism if one exists; any native change requires a full store build. (gate: OTA never used for native changes)
5. Run pre-submission checklist (gate: all items pass before submitting):
   • Privacy manifests (iOS): all required API reasons declared
   • iOS third-party SDKs on Apple's required list: bundled privacy manifests present; binary SDKs signed
   • Permissions: only what you use, with clear usage descriptions
   • Metadata: screenshots current, descriptions accurate (fastlane/metadata/)
   • Version/build numbers: incremented correctly
   • Physical device testing: tested on real device (not simulator)
   • Deep links: universal links / app links verified
   • Push notifications: working in production config
   • Crash-free rate: > 99% on staging before promoting
   • Bundle size: within limits, no large accidental assets
   • iOS toolchain: built with Xcode 26+ / iOS 26 SDK or later (uploads rejected otherwise since 2026-04-28) and deployment target iOS 13+ (since 2026-09-09) (Apple requirements)
   • Android targetSdk 36+ for new apps and updates (since 2026-08-31; Wear OS/Auto 35, TV/XR 34; existing apps keep 35+ to stay available to new users) (Play target API)
   • Android 16 KB page-size support on 64-bit devices: inspect bundled native libraries (including SDKs) and test in a 16 KB environment (Android guidance)
   • Offline behavior: handles no-network gracefully
6. iOS submission — fastlane deliver/pilot: TestFlight (internal → external) → App Store review. Before external testing, provide TestFlight test information and submit the first build for TestFlight App Review; testing starts after approval. Later builds for the same version may also require review. (gate: metadata complete; privacy manifests present)
7. Android submission — fastlane supply with a Play service-account JSON: internal → closed/open beta → staged production rollout starting at 5-10%. (gate: data safety form complete; crash rate stable)
8. Monitor rollout — watch crash rates before expanding staged rollout. Rollback: halt rollout in console; OTA rollback via the project's own mechanism if present. (gate: crash-free rate holds > 99%)

ANTI-PATTERNS (block on detection)

• Reaching for EAS / cloud builders without a stated, justified exception
• Hardcoded API keys in builds → keychain or env injection at build time
• OTA update for native changes → must be a store build
• Skipping physical device testing → simulators miss real-world issues
• 0-to-100% rollout on Android → start at 5-10%
• Shared signing certs across environments → separate keystores

REFERENCE

Deep rationale, environment config patterns, iOS/Android submission detail: skills/app-dev/reference/app-dev-research.md

ON COMPLETE

agentdb write-end '{"skill":"app-dev","platform":"ios|android|both","gate":"submitted|built|blocked","store_ready":true}'