CI/CD Integration

Overview

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) are essential for maintaining code quality and automating releases. This guide covers setting up CI/CD pipelines optimized for Tuist projects.

Understanding CI/CD with Tuist

Tuist projects have specific requirements in CI:

Deterministic project generation: tuist generate produces consistent projects
Dependency resolution: tuist install must run before generation
Binary caching: Significantly speeds up CI builds
Selective testing: Reduces test execution time

Tuist’s deterministic project generation means you don’t commit .xcodeproj files. CI generates them fresh on every run.

GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions is a popular choice for iOS CI/CD.

Basic Build Workflow

.github/workflows/build.yml

name: Build

on:
  pull_request:
  push:
    branches: [main]

env:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: true

jobs:
  build:
    name: Build and Test
    runs-on: macos-14
    timeout-minutes: 30
    
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - name: Select Xcode version
        run: sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode_15.2.app
      
      - name: Install Tuist
        run: curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
      
      - name: Authenticate with Tuist
        run: tuist auth --token ${{ secrets.TUIST_TOKEN }}
      
      - name: Cache dependencies
        uses: actions/cache@v4
        with:
          path: Tuist/Dependencies
          key: deps-${{ hashFiles('Tuist/Package.resolved') }}
          restore-keys: deps-
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - name: Generate project
        run: tuist generate
      
      - name: Build
        run: |
          xcodebuild build \
            -workspace App.xcworkspace \
            -scheme App \
            -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' \
            -quiet
      
      - name: Test
        run: |
          xcodebuild test \
            -workspace App.xcworkspace \
            -scheme App \
            -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' \
            -quiet

Optimized Workflow with Caching

.github/workflows/optimized-build.yml

name: Optimized Build

on:
  pull_request:
  push:
    branches: [main]

env:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.repo.fork != true }}
  GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

jobs:
  build-and-test:
    runs-on: macos-14
    timeout-minutes: 30
    
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - name: Select Xcode
        run: sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode_15.2.app
      
      - name: Install Tuist
        run: |
          curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
          tuist --version
      
      - name: Authenticate with Tuist (team members only)
        if: env.TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING == 'true'
        run: tuist auth --token ${{ secrets.TUIST_TOKEN }}
      
      - name: Restore dependency cache
        id: deps-cache
        uses: actions/cache@v4
        with:
          path: |
            Tuist/Dependencies
            ~/Library/Caches/tuist
          key: deps-${{ runner.os }}-${{ hashFiles('Tuist/Package.resolved') }}
          restore-keys: |
            deps-${{ runner.os }}-
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - name: Generate project
        run: tuist generate
      
      - name: Restore build cache
        uses: actions/cache/restore@v4
        with:
          path: ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
          key: build-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}
          restore-keys: |
            build-${{ runner.os }}-
      
      - name: Build
        run: |
          set -o pipefail
          xcodebuild build \
            -workspace App.xcworkspace \
            -scheme App \
            -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' \
            -derivedDataPath ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData \
            | xcbeautify
      
      - name: Run tests with selective testing
        if: env.TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING == 'true'
        run: tuist test --selective
      
      - name: Run all tests (forks)
        if: env.TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING != 'true'
        run: |
          set -o pipefail
          xcodebuild test \
            -workspace App.xcworkspace \
            -scheme App \
            -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15' \
            | xcbeautify
      
      - name: Save build cache
        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
        uses: actions/cache/save@v4
        with:
          path: ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
          key: build-${{ runner.os }}-${{ github.sha }}

Disable caching for fork PRs to prevent unauthorized access to your cache. The example above shows how to detect forks.

Cache Warming Workflow

Warm the cache on the main branch to speed up PR builds:

.github/workflows/cache-warm.yml

name: Warm Cache

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
  schedule:
    - cron: '0 2 * * *'  # Daily at 2 AM

env:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: true

jobs:
  warm-cache:
    runs-on: macos-14
    timeout-minutes: 45
    
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - name: Select Xcode
        run: sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode_15.2.app
      
      - name: Install Tuist
        run: curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
      
      - name: Authenticate with Tuist
        run: tuist auth --token ${{ secrets.TUIST_TOKEN }}
      
      - name: Cache dependencies
        uses: actions/cache@v4
        with:
          path: Tuist/Dependencies
          key: deps-${{ hashFiles('Tuist/Package.resolved') }}
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - name: Warm cache
        run: tuist cache warm

Release Workflow

.github/workflows/release.yml

name: Release

on:
  push:
    tags:
      - 'v*'

env:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: true

jobs:
  release:
    runs-on: macos-14
    timeout-minutes: 60
    
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
      
      - name: Select Xcode
        run: sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode_15.2.app
      
      - name: Install Tuist
        run: curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
      
      - name: Authenticate with Tuist
        run: tuist auth --token ${{ secrets.TUIST_TOKEN }}
      
      - name: Install dependencies
        run: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - name: Generate project (static linking)
        run: LINKING=static tuist generate
      
      - name: Build for release
        run: |
          xcodebuild archive \
            -workspace App.xcworkspace \
            -scheme App \
            -configuration Release \
            -archivePath ${{ runner.temp }}/App.xcarchive \
            -destination 'generic/platform=iOS' \
            CODE_SIGN_IDENTITY="${{ secrets.CERTIFICATE_NAME }}" \
            PROVISIONING_PROFILE_SPECIFIER="${{ secrets.PROVISIONING_PROFILE }}"
      
      - name: Export IPA
        run: |
          xcodebuild -exportArchive \
            -archivePath ${{ runner.temp }}/App.xcarchive \
            -exportPath ${{ runner.temp }}/export \
            -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist
      
      - name: Upload to App Store Connect
        env:
          APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY: ${{ secrets.APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY }}
        run: |
          xcrun altool --upload-app \
            --type ios \
            --file ${{ runner.temp }}/export/App.ipa \
            --apiKey $APP_STORE_CONNECT_API_KEY

GitLab CI

Basic Pipeline

.gitlab-ci.yml

stages:
  - build
  - test
  - deploy

variables:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: "true"
  XCODE_VERSION: "15.2"

build:
  stage: build
  tags:
    - macos
  script:
    - sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode_$XCODE_VERSION.app
    - curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
    - tuist auth --token $TUIST_TOKEN
    - tuist install --force-resolved-versions
    - tuist generate
    - xcodebuild build -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15'
  cache:
    key: deps-$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG
    paths:
      - Tuist/Dependencies/
      - ~/Library/Caches/tuist/

test:
  stage: test
  tags:
    - macos
  dependencies:
    - build
  script:
    - tuist test --selective
  cache:
    key: deps-$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG
    paths:
      - Tuist/Dependencies/
    policy: pull

Bitrise

bitrise.yml Configuration

bitrise.yml

format_version: '11'
default_step_lib_source: https://github.com/bitrise-io/bitrise-steplib.git

workflows:
  primary:
    steps:
      - activate-ssh-key:
          run_if: '{{getenv "SSH_RSA_PRIVATE_KEY" | ne ""}}'
      
      - git-clone: {}
      
      - script:
          title: Install Tuist
          inputs:
            - content: |
                #!/bin/bash
                set -ex
                curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
      
      - script:
          title: Authenticate with Tuist
          inputs:
            - content: |
                #!/bin/bash
                set -ex
                tuist auth --token "$TUIST_TOKEN"
      
      - cache-pull: {}
      
      - script:
          title: Install dependencies
          inputs:
            - content: |
                #!/bin/bash
                set -ex
                tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - script:
          title: Generate project
          inputs:
            - content: |
                #!/bin/bash
                set -ex
                tuist generate
      
      - xcode-build:
          inputs:
            - project_path: App.xcworkspace
            - scheme: App
            - configuration: Debug
      
      - xcode-test:
          inputs:
            - project_path: App.xcworkspace
            - scheme: App
      
      - cache-push:
          inputs:
            - cache_paths: |
                Tuist/Dependencies
                ~/Library/Caches/tuist

CircleCI

config.yml

.circleci/config.yml

version: 2.1

orbs:
  macos: circleci/macos@2

jobs:
  build-and-test:
    macos:
      xcode: 15.2.0
    environment:
      TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: "true"
    steps:
      - checkout
      
      - run:
          name: Install Tuist
          command: curl -Ls https://install.tuist.io | bash
      
      - run:
          name: Authenticate with Tuist
          command: tuist auth --token $TUIST_TOKEN
      
      - restore_cache:
          keys:
            - deps-v1-{{ checksum "Tuist/Package.resolved" }}
            - deps-v1-
      
      - run:
          name: Install dependencies
          command: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
      
      - save_cache:
          key: deps-v1-{{ checksum "Tuist/Package.resolved" }}
          paths:
            - Tuist/Dependencies
            - ~/Library/Caches/tuist
      
      - run:
          name: Generate project
          command: tuist generate
      
      - run:
          name: Build
          command: |
            xcodebuild build \
              -workspace App.xcworkspace \
              -scheme App \
              -destination 'platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 15'
      
      - run:
          name: Test
          command: tuist test --selective

workflows:
  build-test:
    jobs:
      - build-and-test

Best Practices

Use Force Resolved Versions

Always use --force-resolved-versions on CI:

tuist install --force-resolved-versions

This ensures deterministic builds by using exact versions from Package.resolved.

Cache Dependencies Effectively

Cache both dependencies and Tuist’s cache:

- uses: actions/cache@v4
  with:
    path: |
      Tuist/Dependencies
      ~/Library/Caches/tuist
    key: deps-${{ hashFiles('Tuist/Package.resolved') }}

Enable Caching for Team Members Only

Prevent forks from accessing your cache:

env:
  TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.repo.fork != true }}

Set Appropriate Timeouts

Prevent jobs from hanging:

jobs:
  build:
    timeout-minutes: 30  # Adjust based on your project

Use Selective Testing

Run only affected tests:

tuist test --selective

Selective testing can reduce test time by 10-20x on large projects.

Warm Cache on Main Branch

Ensure PR builds have warm cache:

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
  schedule:
    - cron: '0 2 * * *'  # Daily at 2 AM

Use Static Linking for Release Builds

Optimize release builds:

LINKING=static tuist generate

Troubleshooting

Build Fails with “No such file or directory”

Cause: Project not generated before building Solution: Ensure tuist generate runs before xcodebuild:

- run: tuist generate
- run: xcodebuild build ...

Dependencies Not Found

Cause: Dependencies not installed Solution: Run tuist install before generation:

- run: tuist install --force-resolved-versions
- run: tuist generate

Cache Not Working

Cause: Authentication failure or caching disabled Solutions:

Verify authentication:
tuist auth --token $TUIST_TOKEN
Enable caching in Tuist.swift:
enableCaching: true
Check environment variable:
env: TUIST_ENABLE_CACHING: "true"

Slow Dependency Resolution

Cause: Not using resolved versions Solution: Always use --force-resolved-versions:

tuist install --force-resolved-versions

Tests Timing Out

Cause: Running full test suite Solution: Use selective testing:

tuist test --selective

Code Signing Failures

Cause: Missing certificates or provisioning profiles Solutions:

Use Fastlane Match for certificate management
Store certificates in CI secrets

Import certificates before building:

- name: Import certificates
  run: |
    security create-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" build.keychain
    security import certificate.p12 -k build.keychain -P "$CERT_PASSWORD"

Continuous Deployment

App Store Deployment with Fastlane

Fastfile

default_platform(:ios)

platform :ios do
  desc "Deploy to App Store"
  lane :deploy do
    # Authenticate with Tuist
    sh("tuist auth --token #{ENV['TUIST_TOKEN']}")
    
    # Install dependencies
    sh("tuist install --force-resolved-versions")
    
    # Generate project with static linking
    sh("LINKING=static tuist generate")
    
    # Build and archive
    build_app(
      workspace: "App.xcworkspace",
      scheme: "App",
      configuration: "Release",
      export_method: "app-store"
    )
    
    # Upload to App Store Connect
    upload_to_app_store(
      skip_metadata: true,
      skip_screenshots: true
    )
  end
end

TestFlight Deployment

Fastfile

lane :beta do
  sh("tuist auth --token #{ENV['TUIST_TOKEN']}")
  sh("tuist install --force-resolved-versions")
  sh("LINKING=static tuist generate")
  
  build_app(
    workspace: "App.xcworkspace",
    scheme: "App",
    configuration: "Release"
  )
  
  upload_to_testflight(
    skip_waiting_for_build_processing: true
  )
end

Monitoring CI Performance

Track Build Times

Add timing to your CI:

- name: Build with timing
  run: |
    start_time=$(date +%s)
    xcodebuild build -workspace App.xcworkspace -scheme App
    end_time=$(date +%s)
    echo "Build time: $((end_time - start_time))s"

Set Performance Goals

PR builds: < 10 minutes
Main branch builds: < 15 minutes
Release builds: < 30 minutes

If CI times exceed these goals, investigate caching, selective testing, and modularization.

Next Steps

Build Optimization

Speed up CI builds with caching and optimization

Project Structure

Structure projects for efficient CI builds

Manage Dependencies

Optimize dependency management for CI

Migrate from Xcode

Migrate your project to unlock CI benefits

​Overview

​Understanding CI/CD with Tuist

​GitHub Actions

​Basic Build Workflow

​Optimized Workflow with Caching

​Cache Warming Workflow

​Release Workflow

​GitLab CI

​Basic Pipeline

​Bitrise

​bitrise.yml Configuration

​CircleCI

​config.yml

​Best Practices

​Use Force Resolved Versions

​Cache Dependencies Effectively

​Enable Caching for Team Members Only

​Set Appropriate Timeouts

​Use Selective Testing

​Warm Cache on Main Branch

​Use Static Linking for Release Builds

​Troubleshooting

​Build Fails with “No such file or directory”

​Dependencies Not Found

​Cache Not Working

​Slow Dependency Resolution

​Tests Timing Out

​Code Signing Failures

​Continuous Deployment

​App Store Deployment with Fastlane

​TestFlight Deployment

​Monitoring CI Performance

​Track Build Times

​Set Performance Goals

​Next Steps

Build Optimization

Project Structure

Manage Dependencies

Migrate from Xcode

Overview

Understanding CI/CD with Tuist

GitHub Actions

Basic Build Workflow

Optimized Workflow with Caching

Cache Warming Workflow

Release Workflow

GitLab CI

Basic Pipeline

Bitrise

bitrise.yml Configuration

CircleCI

config.yml

Best Practices

Use Force Resolved Versions

Cache Dependencies Effectively

Enable Caching for Team Members Only

Set Appropriate Timeouts

Use Selective Testing

Warm Cache on Main Branch

Use Static Linking for Release Builds

Troubleshooting

Build Fails with “No such file or directory”

Dependencies Not Found

Cache Not Working

Slow Dependency Resolution

Tests Timing Out

Code Signing Failures

Continuous Deployment

App Store Deployment with Fastlane

TestFlight Deployment

Monitoring CI Performance

Track Build Times

Set Performance Goals

Next Steps