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Setting Up Appcircle Testing Distribution Task in Azure DevOps Pipeline

The Appcircle distribute extension allows users to upload their apps and start distribution to test groups or individuals.

Discover Extension​

You can discover more about this extension and install it by:

Appcircle Testing Distribution - Visual Studio Marketplace
Extension for Azure DevOps - Appcircle Test Distribution allows you to distribute your mobile apps to your test groups
marketplace.visualstudio.com
Preview of Appcircle Testing Distribution - Visual Studio Marketplace

System Requirements​

Compatible Agents:

  • macos-14
  • ubuntu-22.04
caution

Currently, plugins are only compatible to use with Appcircle Cloud. Self-hosted support will be available in future releases.

How to Add the Appcircle Testing Distribution Action to Your Pipeline​

To install the Appcircle Testing Distribution Task Extension, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your pipeline, click "Edit" button on the top right corner

  2. Search for the “Appcircle Testing Distribution" task extension within your YAML file.

  3. Fill out the necessary input fields and click the Add button.

    3.1. You can learn more about getting your personal api token here.

    3.2. Find out how to create a distribution profile here

After filling out the required fields, the AppcircleTestingDistribution@0 task will appear in your pipeline steps as shown below:

- task: AppcircleTestingDistribution@0
  inputs:
    personalAPIToken: $(AC_PROFLE_API_TOKEN)
    profileName: $(AC_PROFILE_NAME)
    createProfileIfNotExists: $(CREATE_PROFILE_IF_NOT_EXISTS)
    appPath: $(APP_PATH)
    message: $(MESSAGE)
  • personalAPIToken: The Appcircle Personal API token is used to authenticate and secure access to Appcircle services. Add this token to your credentials to enable its use in your pipeline and ensure authorized actions within the platform.
  • profileName: Specifies the profile that will be used for uploading the app.
  • createProfileIfNotExists: Ensures that a user profile is automatically created if it does not already exist; if the profile name already exists, the app will be uploaded to that existing profile instead.
  • appPath: Indicates the file path to the application package that will be uploaded to Appcircle Testing Distribution Profile.
  • message: Your message to testers, ensuring they receive important updates and information regarding the application.

Leveraging Environment Variables​

Utilize environment variables seamlessly by substituting the parameters with $(VARIABLE_NAME) in your task inputs. The extension automatically retrieves values from the specified environment variables within your pipeline.

Build Steps Order

Ensure that this action is added after build steps have been completed.

caution

If multiple workflows start simultaneously, the order in which versions are shared in the Testing Distribution is determined by the execution order of the publish step. The version that completes its build and triggers the publish plugin first will be shared first, followed by the others in sequence.

References​