Skip to main content

CLI Builds

The wm-reactnative-cli builds React Native apps locally or in CI/CD pipelines. Provides full control over build environment and keeps certificates on local filesystem.

GitHub: wavemaker/wm-reactnative-cli

Installation​

Install globally:

npm install -g @wavemaker/wm-reactnative-cli

Verify:

wm-reactnative --version

Update:

npm update -g @wavemaker/wm-reactnative-cli

Prerequisites​

Universal​

  • Node.js 18.16.1+
  • Java JDK 11
  • Maven 3.8.6+ (for project export)

Android​

  • Android Studio (provides SDK and tools)
  • Android SDK Platform-specific versions
  • Environment variable: ANDROID_HOME or ANDROID_SDK_ROOT

Setup:

export ANDROID_HOME=$HOME/Library/Android/sdk
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools

iOS (macOS only)​

  • macOS operating system
  • Xcode latest stable version
  • Xcode Command Line Tools: xcode-select --install
  • CocoaPods: sudo gem install cocoapods

Android Builds​

Debug Build​

wm-reactnative build android "/path/to/react-native-zip"

Output: app-debug.apk (auto-generated debug keystore)

Production Build​

wm-reactnative build android "/path/to/react-native-zip" \
  --dest="/path/to/output" \
  --aKeyStore="/path/to/release.keystore" \
  --aStorePassword="keystore_password" \
  --aKeyAlias="key_alias" \
  --aKeyPassword="key_password" \
  --buildType="production"

Parameters:

  • --dest – Output directory (optional)
  • --aKeyStore – Keystore file path
  • --aStorePassword – Keystore password
  • --aKeyAlias – Key alias name
  • --aKeyPassword – Key password
  • --buildType – "production" for release builds

Output:

  • AAB: app-release.aab (default for production)
  • APK: app-release.apk (if AAB generation disabled)

Build Duration​

  • First build: 15-30 minutes (downloads dependencies)
  • Subsequent builds: 5-10 minutes (cached)

iOS Builds​

macOS required. iOS builds cannot run on Windows or Linux.

Debug Build​

wm-reactnative build ios "/path/to/react-native-zip" \
  --iCertificate="/path/to/development.p12" \
  --iCertificatePassword="p12_password" \
  --iProvisioningFile="/path/to/development.mobileprovision" \
  --iCodeSigningIdentity="iPhone Developer: Name (TeamID)"

Output: app-debug.ipa

Production Build​

wm-reactnative build ios "/path/to/react-native-zip" \
  --dest="/path/to/output" \
  --iCertificate="/path/to/distribution.p12" \
  --iCertificatePassword="p12_password" \
  --iProvisioningFile="/path/to/appstore.mobileprovision" \
  --iCodeSigningIdentity="iPhone Distribution: Company (TeamID)" \
  --buildType="production"

Parameters:

  • --iCertificate – P12 certificate path
  • --iCertificatePassword – P12 password
  • --iProvisioningFile – Provisioning profile path
  • --iCodeSigningIdentity – Certificate name from Keychain
  • --buildType – "production" for release

Find code signing identity:

security find-identity -v -p codesigning

Output: app-release.ipa

Build Duration​

  • First build: 20-40 minutes (CocoaPods install)
  • Subsequent builds: 10-20 minutes (cached)

Testing Builds​

Android​

Install via ADB:

adb install /path/to/app-release.apk

Direct installation:

Transfer APK to device and install from file manager.

iOS​

Install via Xcode:

  1. Connect device via USB
  2. Xcode → Window → Devices and Simulators
  3. Drag-and-drop IPA onto device

Install via Apple Configurator 2:

  1. Download Apple Configurator 2
  2. Connect device
  3. Drag IPA to Apps section

TestFlight:

Upload IPA to App Store Connect for beta testing.

Troubleshooting​

Android​

ANDROID_HOME not set:

export ANDROID_HOME=/path/to/android-sdk

Gradle build failed:

  • Check Java version: java -version (requires Java 11)
  • Clean cache: ./gradlew clean in android directory

Keystore errors:

Verify keystore path and passwords:

keytool -list -v -keystore file.keystore

iOS​

Xcode not found:

sudo xcode-select --switch /Applications/Xcode.app

Code signing failed:

  • Verify certificate imported to Keychain Access
  • Check code signing identity matches certificate name
  • Ensure provisioning profile includes certificate

CocoaPods errors:

# Update CocoaPods
sudo gem install cocoapods

# Clear cache
pod cache clean --all

Summary​

  • Install: npm install -g @wavemaker/wm-reactnative-cli
  • Android: Works on any OS, requires Android SDK
  • iOS: Requires macOS, Xcode, CocoaPods
  • CI/CD: Base64-encode certificates, store as secrets
  • Build times: 15-30 min (first), 5-20 min (subsequent)

Build Documentation:

Publishing Documentation:

External Resources: