How do I automate builds using App Center?

Question

I am using App Center as CI and CD for my application. I have to configure all the branches manually against which I need to build and distribute.

What I Want

If somebody creates a feature branch from develop/master and pushes the code, then App Center should start running automatically like CircleCI etc.

Is this not possible in App Center?

Answer 1

Yes, that's possible. You need to use app center fastlane plugin. You need to use appcenter_upload function. SSH has nothing to do with the whole process.

In your FastFile you need to configure a lane in following manner:

  desc 'Deploy a new version to the AppCenter'
  lane :upload_to_appcenter do |options|
    config = fetch_configuration(for_release_type: options[:release_type], for_project_dir: ENV['PROJECT_DIR'])

    gradle(
      task: 'assemble',
      build_type: 'Release',
      properties: {
        "AppCenterEnvironment" => options[:release_type],
        "android.injected.signing.store.file" => ENV['KEYSTORE'],
        "android.injected.signing.store.password" => ENV['KEYSTORE_PASSWORD'],
        "android.injected.signing.key.alias" => ENV['KEYALIAS'],
        "android.injected.signing.key.password" => ENV['KEYALIAS_PASSWORD'],
        "VersionPatchNumber" => config['app_version_patch_number']
      })

    perform_backup

    appcenter_upload(
      app_name: config['appcenter_name'],
      file: lane_context[SharedValues::GRADLE_APK_OUTPUT_PATH],
      destinations: '*',
      release_notes: default_changelog,
      notify_testers: true,
      mapping: 'app/build/outputs/mapping/release/mapping.txt'
    )
  end

In your CI pipeline yaml you'll have to have something line this:

 - script: bundle exec fastlane upload_to_appcenter
    displayName: Upload to AppCenter
    condition: eq(variables['Build.SourceBranch'], 'refs/heads/development')
    env:
      APPCENTER_TOKEN: $(APPCENTER_API_TOKEN)
      APPCENTER_OWNER_NAME: $(APPCENTER_OWNER)
      RSYNC_PASSWORD: $(RSYNC_PASSWORD)

This will push version for every change of the head of development.

Please look at the repo guide how you can provide ENV variable, also look at your CI how you can pass params from the yaml to FastLane.