Continuous Integration With Microsoft App Center

De Jesus describes manual React Native deployments as tedious and says he was too lazy to set up Fastlane. He notes that Fastlane can automate processes such as code signing and works with different CI tools; App Center uses it under the hood.

App Center distribution groups let him upload an IPA or APK with notes so invited testers can download a build before a formal store release. For later releases, he shows TestFlight groups and release history. CodePush can deliver fixes to the JavaScript parts of a React Native app, with controls for mandatory updates and active-device counts.

App Center connects to a GitHub repository and offers per-branch build settings, including scripts, build triggers, unit tests, and linting. De Jesus highlights automatic version incrementing and the choice of Android App Bundle or APK. Signing setup involves uploading a keystore and entering its password.

The service can run builds on virtual iOS and Android devices and provide data for each run; de Jesus mentions a 30-day free trial. Builds can go to App Center tester groups through a shareable URL or to store channels such as Android alpha, beta, and production.

De Jesus works at Resilient Coders, a Boston nonprofit focused on closing the opportunity gap for underrepresented people of color in tech. Its 14-week boot camp pays participants to learn coding and prepares them for full-stack engineering work. He gives an augmented reality tattoo web app by a recent graduate as an example project.