Building and shipping Mac and iOS apps without opening Xcode
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Build and ship Mac and iOS apps using only command-line tools, never opening Xcode's GUI.
The author describes a workflow using XcodeGen, xcodebuild, notarytool, and devicectl to build, sign, notarize, and deploy apps entirely from the command line. One-time GUI setup (install Xcode, add Apple ID, create Developer ID certificate, store notarization password) is required. A release.sh script archives, Developer ID-signs, notarizes, staples, and installs the app. Claude Code or other LLMs can generate and maintain the build scripts. Ad-hoc builds with CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO are fine for local testing but not for distribution.
What commenters are saying
Commenters generally agreed the approach is viable and long-known, but opinions split on the heavy reliance on LLMs. Several noted the irony of Claude writing a guide about using Claude to avoid Xcode. A former Xcode developer endorsed the workflow. Some raised concerns about giving LLMs access to secrets and certificates. Others pointed out that bespoke scripts replace community tools like fastlane, shifting maintenance burden. A commenter noted Xcode's size remains a problem even if unopened.