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The publish command provides high-level workflows for publishing apps to TestFlight or the App Store.

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Usage

asc publish <workflow> [flags]

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Workflows

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TestFlight workflow

Upload and distribute to TestFlight: 
asc publish testflight \
  --app APP_ID \
  --file /path/to/MyApp.ipa \
  --groups "External Testers"
This workflow:
  1. Uploads the build
  2. Waits for processing
  3. Distributes to specified beta groups

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App Store workflow

Submit to App Store: 
asc publish appstore \
  --app APP_ID \
  --version 1.2.0 \
  --file /path/to/MyApp.ipa
This workflow:
  1. Uploads the build
  2. Waits for processing
  3. Attaches build to version
  4. Validates version
  5. Submits for review

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TestFlight flags

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--app
string
required
App ID for the build
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--file
string
required
Path to IPA file
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--groups
string
Comma-separated beta group names or IDsExample: "External Testers,Internal Team"
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--wait
boolean
Wait for build processing to completeDefault: true

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App Store flags

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--app
string
required
App ID for the version
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--version
string
required
Version string (e.g., 1.2.0)
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--file
string
required
Path to IPA file
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--auto-release
boolean
Automatically release after approvalDefault: false

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Example workflows

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Publish to TestFlight

asc publish testflight \
  --app 123456789 \
  --file build/MyApp.ipa \
  --groups "External Testers,Beta Team"

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Publish to App Store

asc publish appstore \
  --app 123456789 \
  --version 1.2.0 \
  --file build/MyApp.ipa \
  --auto-release

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CI/CD integration

# GitHub Actions
- name: Publish to TestFlight
  run: |
    asc publish testflight \
      --app ${{ secrets.APP_ID }} \
      --file MyApp.ipa \
      --groups "External Testers"

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Output

✓ Uploading build...
✓ Build uploaded successfully
✓ Waiting for processing...
✓ Build processed (VALID)
✓ Distributing to beta groups...
✓ Build distributed to External Testers

Publish complete!
Build ID: build-id-here

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Error handling

If any step fails, the workflow stops and reports the error: 
✗ Upload failed: Invalid IPA file
You can retry individual steps using the lower-level commands: 
asc builds upload --app 123456789 --file MyApp.ipa
asc builds add-groups --build BUILD_ID --group "External Testers"

Builds command

Manage builds and uploads

Submit command

Submit for App Store review

Automation guide

Workflow automation patterns