asc-notarization
by rudrankriyamasc-notarization helps archive, export, sign, and notarize macOS apps with xcodebuild and asc for Developer ID distribution outside the App Store. Use this asc-notarization guide to verify signing identity, fix trust-chain issues, and prepare a notarization-ready build with less guesswork.
This skill scores 78/100 and is worth listing: it gives agents a concrete macOS notarization workflow with clear triggers, prerequisites, and command examples, so users can decide quickly whether it fits their distribution task. It is useful for directory users, but they should expect a focused, single-purpose skill rather than a fully packaged automation with supporting scripts.
- Clear use case and trigger: notarize macOS apps for distribution outside the App Store using xcodebuild and asc.
- Operationally useful preflight guidance, including signing identity checks and trust-settings troubleshooting commands.
- Substantial workflow content with structured headings and code examples, which reduces guesswork for an agent.
- No install command or supporting files, so adoption depends on the skill text alone.
- Narrow scope: it targets Developer ID signing and notarization, not broader app-store or release automation.
Overview of asc-notarization skill
asc-notarization is a practical macOS release workflow skill for archiving, exporting, signing, and notarizing apps with xcodebuild and asc. It is best for people shipping outside the App Store who need a reliable path from build output to Apple notarization, especially when certificate or trust issues can block a release.
Who this is for
Use the asc-notarization skill if you already have a macOS app project and need a repeatable notarization process for Developer ID distribution. It is most useful for release engineers, indie developers, and automation agents that must prepare a signed app bundle rather than just describe the concept of notarization.
What problem it solves
The main job is to reduce guesswork around preflight checks, signing identity validation, and trust-chain failures before you send a build for notarization. The asc-notarization guide helps you catch the common “it builds locally but won’t notarize” problems early, which is where most release friction comes from.
What makes it useful
Unlike a generic prompt, asc-notarization focuses on the actual release sequence: verify prerequisites, inspect signing identity, fix certificate trust issues, then archive and notarize. That makes it a better fit when you need installation-ready guidance rather than a high-level overview of macOS code signing.
How to Use asc-notarization skill
Install and load the skill
Install with npx skills add rudrankriyam/app-store-connect-cli-skills --skill asc-notarization, then open SKILL.md first. Since this repository currently has a single skill file and no supporting scripts or references, the skill body is the source of truth for workflow and constraints.
Start with the right input
The asc-notarization install works best when your request includes the app name, project path, signing setup, and the exact failure or goal. For example: “Notarize the macOS target in /path/to/project using Developer ID Application signing, then help me diagnose any trust-chain errors.”
Read the workflow in the right order
For asc-notarization usage, read the preconditions before attempting archive or export steps, then check the preflight identity verification, trust-setting fixes, and certificate-chain validation. Those sections matter because they tell you whether the blocker is environment setup, certificate state, or project configuration.
Use it with a concrete release prompt
A strong prompt for this skill should specify the distribution target and expected output, such as: “Prepare my macOS app for external distribution, verify signing identity, produce a notarization-ready archive, and explain any certificate mismatch.” That kind of input lets the skill produce a more actionable asc-notarization guide instead of a generic checklist.
asc-notarization skill FAQ
Is asc-notarization only for App Store distribution?
No. The skill is aimed at macOS apps distributed outside the App Store, where Developer ID signing and Apple notarization are required. If your release path is App Store Connect submission, you likely need a different workflow.
Do I need macOS release experience first?
No, but you do need a working Xcode setup and a valid signing identity. The asc-notarization skill is beginner-friendly in the sense that it starts with checks, but it still assumes you can run terminal commands and understand basic Xcode project settings.
How is this different from a normal prompt?
A normal prompt may explain notarization in general. asc-notarization is more operational: it centers on preconditions, signature validation, and fixes for broken trust settings, which are the details that usually determine whether a deployment succeeds.
When should I not use it?
Do not use asc-notarization if your app does not target macOS, if you cannot access a Developer ID certificate, or if you are looking for pure App Store submission guidance. It is also a poor fit if you need a broad CI/CD design rather than a focused notarization workflow.
How to Improve asc-notarization skill
Give it build and signing facts up front
The best asc-notarization output comes from exact details: project type, target name, signing certificate name, authentication method, and the error text you see. “xcodebuild fails with errSecInternalComponent during archive” is much more useful than “my signing is broken.”
Share the release constraints that matter
Tell the skill whether you are working locally or in CI, whether the app is already signed, and whether you can change keychain trust settings. Those constraints shape the asc-notarization guide and determine whether the answer should focus on diagnostics, remediation, or release sequencing.
Ask for the next check, not just the fix
If the first pass fails, iterate by asking for the next verification step: certificate chain, trust overrides, archive settings, or export signing identity. That approach improves asc-notarization for Deployment because it turns one failed release into a controlled troubleshooting sequence instead of repeated blind retries.