Local Builds

Local Builds

Build your apps locally on your machine with the help of previously installed development tools and SDKs.

To build iOS apps locally, you need to run NativeScript Sidekick on a macOS system. The certificate and mobile provision used to code sign your app should be selected from Xcode.

Prerequisites

• Verify that you have configured your machine for local development. For more information, see Install iOS and Android Requirements for Local Builds.
• To build for iOS, you need a valid certificate and mobile provision. If you have a Free Apple Developer account, you can use the Code Signing Assistance to automatically generate a temporary certificate and mobile provision. For more information about iOS code signing, see the iOS Developer Program article.
• To build for Android in Release configuration, you need a valid Google Play self-signed code signing identity. For more information on how to generate a release certificate for Android, see the following article.

Procedure for Android

1. Launch NativeScript Sidekick and open your app.
2. From the top toolbar, select Build.
3. Select Android.
4. Hover on the Android box and click on the cogwheel icon to open the Manage Android Certificates dialog.
5. Next to Certificate, click Browse to choose a certificate stored on the file system or expand the drop-down to select a certificate stored in the Certificate Manager (Windows) or the Keychain (macOS).
6. Close the Manage Android Certificates dialog.
7. Under Build Type, select Local Build.
8. Select a Configuration.
9. (Optional) Enable Webpack. For more information, see Bundle Your Code with Webpack.
10. (Optional) If any issues are present, resolve them before you continue.
11. Click on Build.
12. If you have provided a certificate stored on the file system (step 5), you will be prompted to enter its password on every build. Certificates stored in the Certificate Manager or Keychain do not require password validation.
13. When the build process is complete, you will be presented with a path to the produced APK file and a QR code. You can use a barcode scanner app to scan the QR code and install the application directly on a device.

Procedure for iOS

Currently, you cannot select certificates and mobile provisions stored on the file system.

1. Launch NativeScript Sidekick and open your app.
2. From the top toolbar, select Build.
3. Select iOS.
4. Hover on the iOS box and click on the cogwheel icon to open the Manage iOS Provisioning and Certificates dialog.
5. Next to Certificate, expand the drop-down to select a certificate stored in the Keychain.
6. The Provision will be taken automatically from the Keychain. However, you need to ensure that the Keychain contains a mobile provision tied to the selected certificate and the respective App ID.
7. Close the Manage Android Certificates dialog.
8. Under Build Type, select Local Build.
9. Select a Configuration.
10. (Optional) Enable Webpack. For more information, see Bundle Your Code with Webpack.
11. (Optional) If any issues are present, resolve them before you continue.
12. Click on Build.
13. When the build process is complete, you will be presented with a path to the produced IPA file.

Next Steps

Deploy your app on a connected device.