Workflow Automation

Automate complex App Store Connect workflows with multi-step sequences

Define and execute multi-step automation workflows that combine multiple CLI commands and shell scripts.

Overview

Workflows allow you to:

Chain multiple asc commands together
Run shell scripts and commands
Pass data between steps
Handle errors with hooks
Execute conditional steps
Compose reusable sub-workflows

Workflows intentionally execute arbitrary shell commands. Only run workflow files you trust, especially when using --file. Treat .asc/workflow.json like code: review it before running.

Quick Start

Create a Workflow File

Create .asc/workflow.json in your project:

{
  "env": {
    "APP_ID": "123456789",
    "VERSION": "1.0.0"
  },
  "workflows": {
    "beta": {
      "description": "Distribute latest build to beta testers",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "get_latest_build",
          "run": "asc builds list --app $APP_ID --sort -uploadedDate --limit 1 --output json"
        },
        {
          "name": "add_to_group",
          "run": "asc builds add-groups --build-id $BUILD_ID --group $GROUP_ID"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Run a Workflow

asc workflow run beta BUILD_ID:abc123 GROUP_ID:def456

List Available Workflows

asc workflow list

Validate Workflow File

asc workflow validate

Workflow Structure

Basic Workflow

{
  "env": {
    "GLOBAL_VAR": "value"
  },
  "before_all": "echo Starting workflows",
  "after_all": "echo All workflows complete",
  "error": "echo Error occurred",
  "workflows": {
    "workflow_name": {
      "description": "What this workflow does",
      "env": {
        "WORKFLOW_VAR": "value"
      },
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "step_1",
          "run": "command to execute"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Environment Variables

Global Environment (env at root):

Available to all workflows
Merged with system environment

Workflow Environment (env in workflow):

Scoped to specific workflow
Overrides global variables

Runtime Parameters:

Passed via command line: KEY:VALUE
Override workflow environment

Precedence (highest to lowest):

Runtime parameters
Workflow env
Global env
System environment

Hooks

before_all: Runs before any workflow

"before_all": "asc auth status"

after_all: Runs after successful workflow

"after_all": "echo Success! && notify-send 'Workflow Complete'"

error: Runs when workflow fails

"error": "echo Failed! && notify-send 'Workflow Failed'"

Step Types

Command Steps

Execute shell commands:

{
  "name": "list_builds",
  "run": "asc builds list --app $APP_ID --limit 5"
}

Conditional Steps

Run only if a variable is set:

{
  "name": "optional_step",
  "if": "BUILD_ID",
  "run": "asc builds info --build-id $BUILD_ID"
}

Skipped if BUILD_ID is empty or unset.

Sub-Workflow Steps

Call another workflow:

{
  "workflow": "preflight",
  "with": {
    "EXTRA_VAR": "value"
  }
}

The called workflow receives EXTRA_VAR in addition to its own environment.

Complete Workflow Examples

Beta Distribution Workflow

{
  "env": {
    "APP_ID": "123456789"
  },
  "workflows": {
    "beta": {
      "description": "Distribute latest build to TestFlight beta group",
      "env": {
        "GROUP_NAME": "External Beta"
      },
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "validate_auth",
          "run": "asc auth status"
        },
        {
          "name": "get_latest_build",
          "run": "asc builds list --app $APP_ID --sort -uploadedDate --limit 1 --output json > /tmp/latest_build.json"
        },
        {
          "name": "extract_build_id",
          "run": "BUILD_ID=$(jq -r '.data[0].id' /tmp/latest_build.json) && echo BUILD_ID=$BUILD_ID"
        },
        {
          "name": "get_beta_group",
          "run": "asc testflight groups list --app $APP_ID --output json > /tmp/groups.json"
        },
        {
          "name": "extract_group_id",
          "run": "GROUP_ID=$(jq -r '.data[] | select(.attributes.name == \"'$GROUP_NAME'\") | .id' /tmp/groups.json) && echo GROUP_ID=$GROUP_ID"
        },
        {
          "name": "add_build_to_group",
          "if": "BUILD_ID",
          "run": "asc builds add-groups --build-id $BUILD_ID --group $GROUP_ID"
        },
        {
          "name": "notify_success",
          "run": "echo Build distributed to $GROUP_NAME"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Run with:

asc workflow run beta

App Store Submission Workflow

{
  "env": {
    "APP_ID": "123456789",
    "IPA_PATH": "./build/MyApp.ipa",
    "PLATFORM": "IOS"
  },
  "before_all": "echo Starting submission workflow",
  "after_all": "echo Submission complete!",
  "error": "echo Submission failed - check logs",
  "workflows": {
    "release": {
      "description": "Publish latest build to the App Store",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "validate_metadata",
          "run": "asc localizations list --version $VERSION_ID --output json | jq -e '.data | length > 0'"
        },
        {
          "name": "publish_release",
          "if": "IPA_PATH",
          "run": "asc publish appstore --app $APP_ID --ipa $IPA_PATH --version $VERSION --submit --confirm"
        },
        {
          "name": "check_status",
          "run": "asc submit status --version-id $VERSION_ID"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Run with:

asc workflow run release VERSION:1.0.0 VERSION_ID:abc123

Complete Release Workflow

{
  "env": {
    "APP_ID": "123456789",
    "PLATFORM": "IOS"
  },
  "before_all": "git fetch --tags && git status",
  "after_all": "echo Release workflow complete!",
  "error": "echo ERROR: Release failed",
  "workflows": {
    "release": {
      "description": "Complete release: version creation, metadata, screenshots, submission",
      "steps": [
        {
          "workflow": "create_version"
        },
        {
          "workflow": "update_metadata"
        },
        {
          "workflow": "upload_screenshots"
        },
        {
          "workflow": "submit_for_review"
        }
      ]
    },
    "create_version": {
      "private": true,
      "description": "Create App Store version",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "create_version",
          "run": "asc versions create --app $APP_ID --version $VERSION --platform $PLATFORM"
        },
        {
          "name": "get_version_id",
          "run": "VERSION_ID=$(asc versions list --app $APP_ID --output json | jq -r '.data[] | select(.attributes.versionString == \"'$VERSION'\") | .id') && echo VERSION_ID=$VERSION_ID"
        }
      ]
    },
    "update_metadata": {
      "private": true,
      "description": "Update app metadata",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "update_en_US",
          "run": "asc localizations update --version $VERSION_ID --locale en-US --description \"$(cat metadata/en-US/description.txt)\" --keywords \"$(cat metadata/en-US/keywords.txt)\" --whats-new \"$(cat metadata/en-US/whats-new.txt)\""
        },
        {
          "name": "update_es_ES",
          "run": "asc localizations update --version $VERSION_ID --locale es-ES --description \"$(cat metadata/es-ES/description.txt)\" --keywords \"$(cat metadata/es-ES/keywords.txt)\" --whats-new \"$(cat metadata/es-ES/whats-new.txt)\""
        }
      ]
    },
    "upload_screenshots": {
      "private": true,
      "description": "Upload screenshots",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "get_en_localization",
          "run": "EN_LOC=$(asc localizations list --version $VERSION_ID --output json | jq -r '.data[] | select(.attributes.locale == \"en-US\") | .id') && echo EN_LOC=$EN_LOC"
        },
        {
          "name": "upload_iphone",
          "run": "asc screenshots upload --version-localization $EN_LOC --path screenshots/en-US/iphone --device-type IPHONE_65"
        },
        {
          "name": "upload_ipad",
          "run": "asc screenshots upload --version-localization $EN_LOC --path screenshots/en-US/ipad --device-type IPAD_PRO_3GEN_129"
        }
      ]
    },
    "submit_for_review": {
      "private": true,
      "description": "Run the App Store release pipeline",
      "steps": [
        {
          "name": "ensure_ipa",
          "run": "test -f \"$IPA_PATH\""
        },
        {
          "name": "publish_appstore",
          "run": "asc publish appstore --app $APP_ID --ipa $IPA_PATH --version $VERSION --submit --confirm"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Run with:

asc workflow run release VERSION:2.0.0

CI/CD Integration

GitHub Actions

name: Release Workflow

on:
  workflow_dispatch:
    inputs:
      version:
        description: 'Version number (e.g., 1.0.0)'
        required: true

jobs:
  release:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      
      - name: Install asc CLI
        run: |
          curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rorkai/App-Store-Connect-CLI/main/install.sh | bash
      
      - name: Configure credentials
        env:
          ASC_KEY_ID: ${{ secrets.ASC_KEY_ID }}
          ASC_ISSUER_ID: ${{ secrets.ASC_ISSUER_ID }}
          ASC_PRIVATE_KEY: ${{ secrets.ASC_PRIVATE_KEY }}
          ASC_APP_ID: ${{ secrets.ASC_APP_ID }}
        run: |
          echo "Credentials configured"
      
      - name: Run release workflow
        run: |
          asc workflow run release VERSION:${{ github.event.inputs.version }}
      
      - name: Upload workflow output
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
        with:
          name: workflow-output
          path: /tmp/workflow-*.log

GitLab CI

stages:
  - release

release:production:
  stage: release
  tags:
    - linux
  script:
    - curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rorkai/App-Store-Connect-CLI/main/install.sh | bash
    - asc workflow run release VERSION:$VERSION
  variables:
    VERSION: "1.0.0"
  only:
    - tags
  when: manual

Advanced Features

Dry Run Mode

Preview workflow execution without running commands:

asc workflow run beta --dry-run

Shows:

Steps that would be executed
Environment variables
Command interpolation
Workflow order

Private Workflows

Mark workflows as private (only callable from other workflows):

{
  "workflows": {
    "helper": {
      "private": true,
      "description": "Helper workflow - not directly callable",
      "steps": [
        {"name": "help", "run": "echo Helping..."}
      ]
    },
    "main": {
      "description": "Main workflow that calls helper",
      "steps": [
        {"workflow": "helper"}
      ]
    }
  }
}

# Works
asc workflow run main

# Fails - private workflow
asc workflow run helper

List including private workflows:

asc workflow list --all

Custom Workflow File

Use a different workflow file:

asc workflow run beta --file ./custom-workflows.json

Pretty JSON Output

asc workflow run beta --pretty

Best Practices

Use descriptive names: Name workflows and steps clearly
Add descriptions: Document what each workflow does
Validate before running: Always run asc workflow validate after editing
Use environment variables: Parameterize workflows for reusability
Handle errors: Define error hooks to clean up on failure
Test with dry-run: Use --dry-run to preview execution
Keep workflows focused: Break complex workflows into composable sub-workflows
Version control workflows: Store .asc/workflow.json in git
Document required parameters: Note required KEY:VALUE parameters in descriptions
Use private workflows: Extract common logic into private sub-workflows

Security Considerations

Only run workflows from trusted sources
Review workflow files before execution
Avoid hardcoding secrets—use environment variables
In CI/CD, use encrypted secrets for credentials
Don’t run untrusted workflows on PRs with access to secrets

Safe Practices

// Good - uses environment variable
"run": "asc builds list --app $APP_ID"

// Bad - hardcoded sensitive data
"run": "asc builds list --app 123456789"

// Good - credentials from environment
"env": {
  "ASC_KEY_ID": "$CI_ASC_KEY_ID"
}

// Bad - credentials in workflow file
"env": {
  "ASC_KEY_ID": "ABC123XYZ"
}

Troubleshooting

Validation Errors

Problem: asc workflow validate reports errors. Solution: Check for:

Circular workflow dependencies
Missing workflow definitions
Invalid JSON syntax
Unknown step types

”Workflow not found”

Problem: Workflow name doesn’t exist in file. Solution: List available workflows:

asc workflow list

Variable Not Interpolated

Problem: $VARIABLE appears literally in output. Solution: Ensure the variable is:

Defined in env (global or workflow)
Passed as runtime parameter: VARIABLE:value
Available in system environment

Step Fails Silently

Problem: Step executes but produces no output. Solution:

Check step output is written to stderr (workflow stdout is JSON-only)
Enable verbose mode (if available)
Add explicit echo statements

Workflow Hangs

Problem: Workflow stops and doesn’t complete. Solution:

Check for interactive commands (not supported)
Verify commands don’t wait for user input
Add timeout to long-running commands

TestFlight Distribution - Automate beta distribution
App Store Submission - Automate submissions
Metadata Management - Automate metadata updates
Screenshots - Automate screenshot workflows

​Workflow Automation

​Overview

​Quick Start

​Create a Workflow File

​Run a Workflow

​List Available Workflows

​Validate Workflow File

​Workflow Structure

​Basic Workflow

​Environment Variables

​Hooks

​Step Types

​Command Steps

​Conditional Steps

​Sub-Workflow Steps

​Complete Workflow Examples

​Beta Distribution Workflow

​App Store Submission Workflow

​Complete Release Workflow

​CI/CD Integration

​GitHub Actions

​GitLab CI

​Advanced Features

​Dry Run Mode

​Private Workflows

​Custom Workflow File

​Pretty JSON Output

​Best Practices

​Security Considerations

​Safe Practices

​Troubleshooting

​Validation Errors

​”Workflow not found”

​Variable Not Interpolated

​Step Fails Silently

​Workflow Hangs

​Related Topics

Workflow Automation

Overview

Quick Start

Create a Workflow File

Run a Workflow

List Available Workflows

Validate Workflow File

Workflow Structure

Basic Workflow

Environment Variables

Hooks

Step Types

Command Steps

Conditional Steps

Sub-Workflow Steps

Complete Workflow Examples

Beta Distribution Workflow

App Store Submission Workflow

Complete Release Workflow

CI/CD Integration

GitHub Actions

GitLab CI

Advanced Features

Dry Run Mode

Private Workflows

Custom Workflow File

Pretty JSON Output

Best Practices

Security Considerations

Safe Practices

Troubleshooting

Validation Errors

”Workflow not found”

Variable Not Interpolated

Step Fails Silently

Workflow Hangs

Related Topics