App Store Connect CLI — Scriptable CLI for Apple Developer APIs

Introduction

App Store Connect CLI is an open-source command-line tool that provides scriptable access to the App Store Connect API. It covers core Apple developer workflows including TestFlight management, build uploads, app submissions, code signing, analytics, screenshots, and subscription management. The CLI outputs JSON by default, making it easy to integrate into CI/CD pipelines and automation scripts.

What App Store Connect CLI Does

• Manages TestFlight beta testing including testers, groups, and builds
• Automates app submission workflows for the App Store
• Handles code signing certificates and provisioning profiles
• Retrieves analytics data for downloads, usage, and revenue
• Manages in-app purchases and subscription configurations

Architecture Overview

The CLI is written in Go and communicates directly with the App Store Connect REST API using JWT-based authentication. Each command maps to one or more API endpoints, and responses are parsed into structured JSON output. The tool handles pagination, rate limiting, and retry logic automatically. Authentication tokens are cached locally for the duration of a session. The command structure follows a resource-action pattern (e.g., apps list, builds get, testflight invite) for discoverability.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Install via Homebrew on macOS or download Go binaries for Linux and Windows
• Authenticate using an App Store Connect API key (key ID, issuer ID, and private key file)
• Configure default output format (JSON, table, or YAML) via environment variables
• API credentials can be stored in a config file or passed as CLI flags
• Integrates with CI/CD systems like GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and Jenkins

Key Features

• Over 200 commands covering the full App Store Connect API surface
• JSON-first output for easy parsing in scripts and pipelines
• No interactive prompts; fully scriptable for automation
• AI agent skill support for integration with coding agents
• Fast Go binary with minimal dependencies

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Fastlane — Ruby-based iOS automation suite; App Store Connect CLI is a lightweight Go binary focused on the API
• Xcode Cloud — Apple's hosted CI/CD; this CLI is self-hosted and provider-agnostic
• Apple Transporter — upload-only tool; this CLI covers the full API including analytics and subscriptions
• altool — deprecated Apple utility; this CLI is a modern replacement with broader coverage
• Codemagic/Bitrise — hosted CI platforms; this CLI is a building block you run anywhere

FAQ

Q: Do I need a Mac to use App Store Connect CLI? A: No. The CLI runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. You only need a Mac for building and signing the app itself.

Q: How do I create an App Store Connect API key? A: Generate one in App Store Connect under Users and Access > Integrations > App Store Connect API.

Q: Can I use this in GitHub Actions? A: Yes. Store your API key as a secret and call the CLI commands in your workflow steps.

Q: Does it support App Store Connect API v2? A: Yes. The CLI targets the latest App Store Connect API version.

Sources

• https://github.com/rorkai/App-Store-Connect-CLI