shorebirdtech
Error on Building iOS locally and in pipeline
App ID: dcadf652-7fb4-4d26-9cd3-9b4c850ac58c
Description
We have newly integrated shorebird into our system, the release on android works amazing. however on iOS attempting to build locally or in our pipeline breaks with no clear issue. we are using flutter 3.24.5.
attached below is a copy of verbose logs from local machine and from pipeline. as well as the pipeline workflow
Steps To Reproduce locally:
- run
fvm flutter pub get - run
fvm dart run build_runner build --delete-conflicting-outputs - run
fvm dart fvm flutter pub run intl_utils:generate - run
shorebird release ios --flutter-version 3.24.5 --verbose
pipeline
name: iOS Release
on:
push:
tags:
- "v[0-9].[0-9]+.[0-9]+" # e.g. v1.0.0
workflow_dispatch:
env:
SHOREBIRD_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.SHOREBIRD_TOKEN }}
jobs:
release-ios:
runs-on: macos-latest
name: 🍎 Release iOS
env:
steps:
- name: 📚 Git Checkout
uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: subosito/flutter-action@v2
with:
flutter-version: "3.24.5"
channel: "stable"
cache: true
- name: flutter clean
run: flutter clean
- name: Get dependencies
run: flutter pub get
- name: Build Runner
run: dart run build_runner build --delete-conflicting-outputs
- name: intl generation
run: flutter pub run intl_utils:generate
- name: 🐦 Setup Shorebird
uses: shorebirdtech/setup-shorebird@v1
with:
cache: true
- name: ✍️ Setup XCode Signing
env:
CERTIFICATE: ${{ secrets.IOS_BUILD_CERTIFICATE_BASE64 }}
CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.IOS_BUILD_CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD }}
PROVISIONING_PROFILE: ${{ secrets.BUILD_PROVISION_PROFILE_BASE64 }}
KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD }}
run: |
# create variables
CERTIFICATE_PATH=$RUNNER_TEMP/build_certificate.p12
KEYCHAIN_PATH=$RUNNER_TEMP/app-signing.keychain-db
PP_PATH=$RUNNER_TEMP/temp.mobileprovision
# import certificate and provisioning profile from secrets
echo -n "$CERTIFICATE" | base64 --decode -o $CERTIFICATE_PATH
echo -n "$PROVISIONING_PROFILE" | base64 --decode -o $PP_PATH
# create temporary keychain
security create-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" $KEYCHAIN_PATH
security set-keychain-settings -lut 21600 $KEYCHAIN_PATH
security unlock-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" $KEYCHAIN_PATH
# import certificate to keychain
security import $CERTIFICATE_PATH -P "$CERTIFICATE_PASSWORD" -A -t cert -f pkcs12 -k $KEYCHAIN_PATH
security list-keychain -d user -s $KEYCHAIN_PATH
security find-identity -v
# use uuid for the name of provisioning profile
UUID=$(/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Print UUID" /dev/stdin <<< $(/usr/bin/security cms -D -i $PP_PATH))
# apply provisioning profile
mkdir -p ~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning\ Profiles
cp $PP_PATH ~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning\ Profiles/$UUID.mobileprovision
- name: 🚀 Shorebird Release
uses: shorebirdtech/shorebird-release@v0
with:
platform: ios
args: "--verbose --flutter-version=3.24.5"
- name: 🧹 Clean Up
if: ${{ always() }}
run: |
PP_PATH=$RUNNER_TEMP/temp.mobileprovision
security delete-keychain $RUNNER_TEMP/app-signing.keychain-db
rm $RUNNER_TEMP/temp.mobileprovision
- name: 📦 Upload Artifact
uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
with:
name: ios-release
path: build/ios/ipa/app-release.ipa
- name: Clean up keychain and provisioning profile
if: ${{ always() }}
run: |
security delete-keychain $RUNNER_TEMP/app-signing.keychain-db
rm ~/Library/MobileDevice/Provisioning\ Profiles/build_pp.mobileprovision
Expected Behavior
Build to be done successfully Screenshots
- local build results
IO : Writing 1002116 characters to text file /Users/omarammar/.pub-cache/log/pub_log.txt.
[ +1 ms] Encountered error while archiving for device.
[ ]
#0 throwToolExit (package:flutter_tools/src/base/common.dart:10:3)
#1 _BuildIOSSubCommand.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/commands/build_ios.dart:722:7)
<asynchronous suspension>
#2 BuildIOSArchiveCommand.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/commands/build_ios.dart:427:50)
<asynchronous suspension>
#3 FlutterCommand.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command.dart:1408:27)
<asynchronous suspension>
#4 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#5 CommandRunner.runCommand (package:args/command_runner.dart:212:13)
<asynchronous suspension>
#6 FlutterCommandRunner.runCommand.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command_runner.dart:420:9)
<asynchronous suspension>
#7 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#8 FlutterCommandRunner.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command_runner.dart:364:5)
<asynchronous suspension>
#9 run.<anonymous closure>.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/runner.dart:130:9)
<asynchronous suspension>
#10 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#11 main (package:flutter_tools/executable.dart:93:3)
<asynchronous suspension>
- pipeline build results
Writing 1000543 characters to text file /Users/runner/.pub-cache/log/pub_log.txt.
[ +2 ms] Encountered error while archiving for device.
[ ]
#0 throwToolExit (package:flutter_tools/src/base/common.dart:10:3)
#1 _BuildIOSSubCommand.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/commands/build_ios.dart:722:7)
<asynchronous suspension>
#2 BuildIOSArchiveCommand.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/commands/build_ios.dart:427:50)
<asynchronous suspension>
#3 FlutterCommand.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command.dart:1408:27)
<asynchronous suspension>
#4 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#5 CommandRunner.runCommand (package:args/command_runner.dart:212:13)
<asynchronous suspension>
#6 FlutterCommandRunner.runCommand.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command_runner.dart:420:9)
<asynchronous suspension>
#7 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#8 FlutterCommandRunner.runCommand (package:flutter_tools/src/runner/flutter_command_runner.dart:364:5)
<asynchronous suspension>
#9 run.<anonymous closure>.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/runner.dart:130:9)
<asynchronous suspension>
#10 AppContext.run.<anonymous closure> (package:flutter_tools/src/base/context.dart:153:19)
<asynchronous suspension>
#11 main (package:flutter_tools/executable.dart:93:3)
<asynchronous suspension>
(822.1s)
[Process.run] git symbolic-ref HEAD (in /Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache)
Exited with code 0
stdout:
refs/heads/stable
[Process.run] git rev-parse --verify HEAD (in /Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache)
Exited with code 0
apologies for the text files but the output is very long pipeline_build_logs.txt local_build_logs.txt
i have checked the following issues and following the steps in them didn't resolve the problem https://github.com/shorebirdtech/shorebird/issues/2591 https://github.com/shorebirdtech/shorebird/issues/2590
I think we're probably not surfacing as much error output as we should be. If you run:
FLUTTER_STORAGE_BASE_URL=https://download.shorebird.dev /Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/bin/flutter build ipa --release --verbose
do you see anything more helpful there?
Hey @bryanoltman , This is the error thats surfacing now, I'm attaching the logs again for you to see if I missed anything
Unhandled exception:
Null check operator used on a null value
#0 Context.embedFlutterFrameworks (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:237:68)
#1 Context.run (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:61:9)
#2 main (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:17:5)
#3 _delayEntrypointInvocation.<anonymous closure> (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:295:33)
#4 _RawReceivePort._handleMessage (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:184:12)
Command PhaseScriptExecution failed with a nonzero exit code
it looks like the issue is in the shorebird flutter package, for your reference, when archieving from xcode the build is done successfully
Shorebird will be out for next week (US holidays). So we'd love to help, but are most likely to get back to you in a week or so. Thanks for reporting.
We also improved our iOS error reporting in our 1.5.4 release, so trying the failing command again might give you more insights into what the issue is.
Hey Guys, As suggested by you I have updated the shorebird to the newer release, however no new bugs ahve shown up, I have attached the logs below. @eseidel @bryanoltman
Hey Guys, As suggested by you I have updated the shorebird to the newer release, however no new bugs ahve shown up, I have attached the logs below. @eseidel @bryanoltman
PhaseScriptExecution Thin\ Binary /Users/omarammar/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/Runner-cwupfmrpqdhpfleenkbozbodpulm/Build/Intermediates.noindex/ArchiveIntermediates/Runner/IntermediateBuildFilesPath/Runner.build/Release-iphoneos/Runner.build/Script-3B06AD1E1E4923F5004D2608.sh (in target 'Runner' from project 'Runner')
cd /Users/omarammar/waj/ios
export ACTION\=install
...
export variant\=normal
/bin/sh -c /Users/omarammar/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/Runner-cwupfmrpqdhpfleenkbozbodpulm/Build/Intermediates.noindex/ArchiveIntermediates/Runner/IntermediateBuildFilesPath/Runner.build/Release-iphoneos/Runner.build/Script-3B06AD1E1E4923F5004D2608.sh
Unhandled exception:
Null check operator used on a null value
#0 Context.embedFlutterFrameworks (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:237:68)
#1 Context.run (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:61:9)
#2 main (file:///Users/omarammar/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:17:5)
#3 _delayEntrypointInvocation.<anonymous closure> (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:295:33)
#4 _RawReceivePort._handleMessage (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:184:12)
Command PhaseScriptExecution failed with a nonzero exit code
Looks like a crash in the Flutter tool. Unclear if it's caused by shorebird or not.
Looks like it's trying to read FLUTTER_BUILD_DIR and it's not set: https://github.com/shorebirdtech/flutter/blob/3faf56aafaec13a0ba54445574e8e81f3235070c/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart#L237
@eseidel Is there something specific I need to do to have it set? , considering build succeeds when I use flutter build ipa and xcode archieve utility
@eseidel Is there something specific I need to do to have it set? , considering build succeeds when I use flutter build ipa and xcode archive utility
No, you shouldn't have to set anything.
Maybe https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/140845 or https://stackoverflow.com/questions/77259439/my-xcode-backend-dart-file-has-errors-when-trying-to-run-my-application have an answer?
@eseidel I have tried the approaches, changing things up and down like people in thread, it doesn't seem to change the error message, could it be because I'm building with an older flutter version (Currently using 3.24.5)?
Were we able to get this resolved? I seem to recall we had a video call and were able to make progress, but perhaps I'm confusing issues.
Hey @eseidel , Thanks for your attention to the matter, we didn't get a call no, I haven't tried building it through the pipeline since, 3.24.5, I most recently upgraded to 3.38.1 , I'll try it out and let you know
Hey @eseidel , Thanks for your attention to the matter, we didn't get a call no, I haven't tried building it through the pipeline since, 3.24.5, I most recently upgraded to 3.38.1 , I'll try it out and let you know
Hey @eseidel , I have tried running it again this morning. however, due to an issue in flutter 3.38.1 mentioned here , I'm unable to test if the shorebird release is working for me, I'll wait until 3.38.2 is rolled out on shorebird then update this issue.
I'm working on rolling out 3.38.3 right now: https://github.com/shorebirdtech/shorebird/issues/3398
Hey @eseidel , I have ran the pipeline today on both 3.38.2 and 3.38.3. both unfortuantly failed. on checking the errors I get this error
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6607880Z Unhandled exception:
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6608010Z Null check operator used on a null value
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6608600Z #0 Context._embedNativeAssets (file:///Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/5d7eab0b8cc0146649c1c37cd1e1968c97d9e5dd/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:341:68)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6610220Z #1 Context.embedFlutterFrameworks (file:///Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/5d7eab0b8cc0146649c1c37cd1e1968c97d9e5dd/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:317:5)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6610690Z #2 Context.run (file:///Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/5d7eab0b8cc0146649c1c37cd1e1968c97d9e5dd/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:60:9)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6611120Z #3 main (file:///Users/runner/.shorebird/bin/cache/flutter/5d7eab0b8cc0146649c1c37cd1e1968c97d9e5dd/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart:17:5)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6611380Z #4 _delayEntrypointInvocation.<anonymous closure> (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:312:33)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6611820Z #5 _RawReceivePort._handleMessage (dart:isolate-patch/isolate_patch.dart:193:12)
2025-11-25T12:58:32.6612000Z Command PhaseScriptExecution failed with a nonzero exit code
attached is the full logs
This is the same problem of missing a FLUTTER_BUILD_DIR: https://github.com/shorebirdtech/flutter/blob/5d7eab0b8cc0146649c1c37cd1e1968c97d9e5dd/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.dart#L341
Not really sure why.
I'd be happy to jump on a call or discuss live over Discord if either could help. https://calendly.com/eseidel
But it appears that somehow FLUTTER_BUILD_DIR isn't being set. It sounds like flutter build is working but shorebird release is not?
I recommend looking at the output of: grep -i FLUTTER_ ios/Runner.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj. My guess is that you may have FLUTTER_ environment variables hard-coded in your xcodeproj. All FLUTTER_ variables are supposed to be set by ios/Flutter/Generated.xcconfig (which is edited each time by the flutter tool, rather than within the pbxproj directly.
This could be the cause, I'm using fvm for general development and it might be an oversight, I'm testing this out now.
edited: for reference
(base) omarammar@Omars-MacBook-Pro-2 waj % grep -i FLUTTER_ ios/Runner.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
shellScript = "/bin/sh \"$FLUTTER_ROOT/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.sh\" embed_and_thin";
shellScript = "/bin/sh \"$FLUTTER_ROOT/packages/flutter_tools/bin/xcode_backend.sh\" build";
Worked with Omar this morning. Decided this was https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/138795. He regenerated his projects with flutter create and is working on setting them up again as he needs, but they seem to work after the regeneration. 🤞