# iOS Build Process Quick Reference

**Author**: Matthew Raymer  
**Date**: November 4, 2025

## Two Different Test Apps

**Important**: There are two different iOS test apps:

1. **Native iOS Development App** (`ios/App`) - Simple Capacitor app for quick plugin testing
2. **Vue 3 Test App** (`test-apps/daily-notification-test`) - Full-featured Vue 3 Capacitor app

---

## Vue 3 Test App (`test-apps/daily-notification-test`)

### 🚨 Critical Build Steps

```bash
# 1. Build web assets
npm run build

# 2. Sync with iOS project
npx cap sync ios

# 3. Build iOS app
cd ios/App
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace \
    -scheme App \
    -configuration Debug \
    -sdk iphonesimulator \
    -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15 Pro' \
    CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY="" \
    CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO \
    CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO

# 4. Install and launch
APP_PATH=$(find build/derivedData -name "*.app" -type d | head -1)
xcrun simctl install booted "$APP_PATH"
BUNDLE_ID=$(plutil -extract CFBundleIdentifier raw App/Info.plist)
xcrun simctl launch booted "$BUNDLE_ID"
```

### 🔄 Using Capacitor CLI (Simplest Method)

```bash
cd test-apps/daily-notification-test

# Build and run in one command
npx cap run ios

# This handles:
# - Building web assets
# - Syncing with iOS
# - Building app
# - Installing on simulator
# - Launching app
```

### 🛠️ Automated Build Script

```bash
cd test-apps/daily-notification-test
./scripts/build-and-deploy-ios.sh
```

---

## Native iOS Development App (`ios/App`)

### 🚨 Critical Build Steps

```bash
# 1. Build plugin
cd /path/to/daily-notification-plugin
./scripts/build-native.sh --platform ios

# 2. Install CocoaPods dependencies
cd ios
pod install

# 3. Build iOS app
cd App
xcodebuild -workspace App.xcworkspace \
    -scheme App \
    -configuration Debug \
    -sdk iphonesimulator \
    -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15 Pro' \
    CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY="" \
    CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO \
    CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO

# 4. Install and launch
APP_PATH=$(find build/derivedData -name "*.app" -type d | head -1)
xcrun simctl install booted "$APP_PATH"
BUNDLE_ID=$(plutil -extract CFBundleIdentifier raw App/Info.plist)
xcrun simctl launch booted "$BUNDLE_ID"
```

### 🛠️ Automated Build Script

```bash
cd /path/to/daily-notification-plugin
./scripts/build-and-deploy-native-ios.sh
```

---

## ⚠️ iOS-Specific Requirements

**Prerequisites:**
- macOS (required for iOS development)
- Xcode installed (`xcode-select --install`)
- CocoaPods installed (`gem install cocoapods`)
- iOS Simulator runtime installed

**Common Issues:**
- Simulator not booted: `xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 15 Pro"`
- CocoaPods not installed: `sudo gem install cocoapods`
- Platform components missing: `xcodebuild -downloadPlatform iOS`

## 🔍 Verification Checklist

After build, verify:

### For Vue 3 Test App:
- [ ] Simulator is booted (`xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted`)
- [ ] CocoaPods dependencies installed (`cd ios && pod install`)
- [ ] Web assets synced (`npx cap sync ios`)
- [ ] App builds successfully (`xcodebuild ...`)
- [ ] App installs on simulator (`xcrun simctl install`)
- [ ] App launches (`xcrun simctl launch`)

### For Native iOS App:
- [ ] Simulator is booted (`xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted`)
- [ ] Plugin built (`./scripts/build-native.sh --platform ios`)
- [ ] CocoaPods dependencies installed (`cd ios && pod install`)
- [ ] App builds successfully (`xcodebuild ...`)
- [ ] App installs on simulator (`xcrun simctl install`)
- [ ] App launches (`xcrun simctl launch`)

## 📱 Testing Commands

```bash
# List available simulators
xcrun simctl list devices available

# Boot simulator
xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 15 Pro"

# Check if booted
xcrun simctl list devices | grep Booted

# View logs
xcrun simctl spawn booted log stream

# Uninstall app
xcrun simctl uninstall booted com.timesafari.dailynotification.test  # Vue 3 app
xcrun simctl uninstall booted com.timesafari.dailynotification       # Native app

# Reset simulator
xcrun simctl erase booted
```

## 🐛 Common Issues

| Issue | Symptom | Solution |
|-------|---------|----------|
| Simulator not found | `Unable to find destination` | Run `xcrun simctl list devices` to see available devices |
| CocoaPods error | `pod: command not found` | Install CocoaPods: `gem install cocoapods` |
| Build fails | `No such file or directory` | Run `pod install` in `ios/` directory |
| Signing error | `Code signing required` | Add `CODE_SIGNING_REQUIRED=NO` to xcodebuild command |
| App won't install | `Could not find application` | Verify app path exists and simulator is booted |
| Vue app: assets not syncing | App shows blank screen | Run `npm run build && npx cap sync ios` |

---

**Remember**: 
- **Native iOS App** (`ios/App`) = Quick plugin testing, no web build needed
- **Vue 3 Test App** (`test-apps/...`) = Full testing with UI, requires `npm run build`

Use `npx cap run ios` in the Vue 3 test app directory for the simplest workflow!