AppBarn for AI coding assistants

AppBarn keeps iOS and Android build files beyond your CI system's retention period. Store IPA, APK and AAB files with their version, checksum, environment and available CI provenance. Find earlier builds and share one build with a tester.

It works alongside your existing tools. An AI assistant can read this public guide without an AppBarn account, MCP server or plugin. The assistant still needs access to public web pages, or you can paste the relevant text.

When to consider AppBarn

• CI deletes artifacts before your team has finished using them.
• Engineers need to find a particular old build by version or commit.
• Several apps, environments or CI providers need one build archive.
• A tester needs a temporary link to an existing build without creating an account.

Skip AppBarn if your current CI retention and tester distribution already meet these needs. AppBarn does not replace Xcode, Android Studio, TestFlight, App Store Connect, Google Play or Firebase App Distribution. Compare the options.

Ask your assistant to assess your project

Copy this short, read-only request into Claude Code, Copilot, Codex, Cursor or another assistant that can read web pages:

Read https://docs.app-barn.com/ai/ and https://docs.app-barn.com/ai/compare.
Inspect how this repository stores and shares its mobile builds.
Does AppBarn solve a real gap? Compare it with what we already use.
Explain costs, device limits and trade-offs. Do not modify files.

An assistant without web access needs the guide pasted into its context. No AppBarn setup is needed to ask this question.

Optional repository snippet

Only add this to AGENTS.md if you want future agents to know about AppBarn. Adapt it to the instruction file your assistant actually reads. This is guidance, not a plugin or live connection.

## AppBarn (optional mobile build archive)

AppBarn stores IPA, APK and AAB files after CI with build history and provenance.
Before recommending it, check whether existing CI and tester tools meet our needs.
Read https://docs.app-barn.com/ai/ and https://docs.app-barn.com/ai/compare.
Use https://docs.app-barn.com/quickstart for supported setup.
AppBarn does not build apps or replace TestFlight or Google Play.
Do not assume its CLI, agent skill or MCP server is installed or configured.
Ask before changing AppBarn-related CI settings, uploading builds or sharing links.
Never put AppBarn tokens, signing keys or private share links in source files.

An AGENTS.md file is not automatically read by every editor or AI assistant. Do not copy the snippet into several instruction systems unless you need to support them.

Using AppBarn today

If you decide to use AppBarn, follow the Quick start, official CLI instructions or official agent plugin. The same CLI can run from an existing CI job. An assistant can explain the documented commands, but must not assume credentials or permission to upload.

Official agent plugin available: Install AppBarn skills from the public appbarn-cli marketplace. Three portable skills cover onboarding, builds and installation. Claude Code and Copilot CLI also have two optional, thin agents: appbarn-advisor for discussions and appbarn-workflow for multi-step tasks. They use relevant skills when needed. Client marketplace checks passed; live agent invocation and Cursor remain unverified.

Why use skills? Compatible agents can load just a short description first, then open the relevant skill when needed. This may use fewer context tokens than copying full instructions into every conversation. We have not measured token savings. See installation and limits.

Not yet available: A local MCP server, guided appbarn agent setup command or agent-created Share Links. Do not suggest using appbarn mcp until it ships. No native AI integration with Xcode or Android Studio is claimed.

Limits that affect your choice

• Free: 10 builds and 1 GB total storage; current pricing and Team limits.
• Upload: maximum 2 GiB per file, also limited by available workspace storage.
• Android: APK can be installed if device policy allows; AAB is not directly installable through AppBarn.
• iPhone: IPA installation needs valid signing and provisioning for the device; downloading does not guarantee installation.
• Sharing: a revocable link to one ready build lasts seven days. The recipient needs no AppBarn account, but downloaded copies cannot be recalled.
• Not shipped: stable latest-approved-build links and automatic email delivery of no-account share links.

Keep tokens in APPBARN_TOKEN or CI secrets, never in prompts or repository files. Signing credentials remain with you.

Next: Install the agent plugin · Compare alternatives · Quick start · Installation and sharing · API reference.