App Store Submission

Systematic pre-flight checklist that catches 90% of App Store rejection causes before submission. A 30-minute pre-flight saves 3-7 days of rejection-fix-resubmit cycles.

When to Use

Use this skill when you're:

• Preparing to submit an app or update to the App Store
• Submitting your first app as a new developer
• Responding to an App Review rejection
• Running a pre-submission audit before TestFlight or production
• Updating an existing app after a long gap (new requirements may apply)
• Wondering "is my app ready to submit?"

Core principle: Ship once, ship right. Over 40% of rejections cite Guideline 2.1 (App Completeness), and another 30% are metadata and privacy issues. These are preventable.

Example Prompts

Questions you can ask Claude that will draw from this skill:

• "Is my app ready to submit to the App Store?"
• "What do I need before submitting my first iOS app?"
• "I keep getting rejected, what am I missing?"
• "What's the pre-submission checklist for App Store?"
• "Do I need a privacy manifest?"
• "Why was my upload rejected for a missing launch screen? (iOS 27 SDK)"
• "My app update was rejected for metadata issues"

What This Skill Provides

Pre-Flight Checklist (8 Categories)

Complete mandatory checklist covering build configuration, privacy requirements, metadata fields, account/authentication, App Review info, content completeness, regional compliance, and new 2025-2026 requirements.

Anti-Patterns with Time Costs

8 common submission mistakes — submitting without device testing, missing privacy policy, placeholder content, ignoring privacy manifest, missing Sign in with Apple, no account deletion, wrong age rating, missing demo credentials — each with the days lost and prevention steps.

IAP Submission Checklist

• Review screenshot required for each IAP product
• IAP products must be attached to the version (checkbox in ASC, first submission only)
• Terms of Use and Privacy Policy links on paywall (SubscriptionStoreView handles automatically; custom UI must add manually)
• Subscription terms visible before purchase (price, period, auto-renewal)

Decision Tree

Step-by-step "Is my app ready?" walkthrough covering crashes, privacy manifest, privacy policy, screenshots, account deletion, SIWA, IAP, encryption, EU compliance, demo credentials, age rating, and placeholder content.

Pressure Scenarios

Three scenarios that prevent rationalization under deadline pressure, repeated rejections, and false confidence from prior approval.

Handling Rejections

Reading rejection messages, response strategy, when to appeal, expedited review eligibility (critical bug fix, event-related), "Meet with App Review" scheduling, bug fix leniency, and metadata vs binary rejection differences.

Key Pattern

The 30-Minute Pre-Flight

Before EVERY submission, run the complete checklist:

1. Build Configuration  — Physical device, latest SDK, IPv6, release config
2. Privacy              — Manifest, policy (ASC + in-app), purpose strings, ATT
3. Metadata             — Name, screenshots, keywords, "What's New"
4. Account              — Deletion flow, SIWA, Restore Purchases
5. App Review Info      — Contact info, demo credentials, notes
6. Content              — No placeholders, all links work, production assets
7. Regional             — EU DSA trader status, age rating, export compliance
8. New Requirements     — Updated age rating, accessibility labels, SDK minimum

Before: 11 days lost to three preventable rejections. After: 30-minute pre-flight catches all issues, approved on first submission.

Documentation Scope

This page documents the axiom-shipping skill — a discipline skill that Claude uses when helping you prepare for App Store submission. The skill contains the complete checklist, all 8 anti-patterns with code examples, pressure scenarios, and first-time developer guidance.

For specific field specs: See App Store Reference for metadata character limits, screenshot dimensions, privacy manifest schema, and guideline numbers.

For rejection troubleshooting: See App Store Diagnostics for systematic diagnosis from rejection message to fix.

Related

• App Store Reference – Complete metadata field specs, guideline index, privacy manifest schema
• App Store Diagnostics – Rejection diagnosis and remediation patterns
• StoreKit 2 Reference – IAP and subscription implementation
• Privacy UX Patterns – Privacy manifest, ATT, and permission request patterns
• App Store Connect – ASC navigation, crash data, and analytics

Resources

WWDC: 2022-10166, 2025-328, 2025-224, 2025-241

Docs: /app-store/review/guidelines, /app-store/submitting, /app-store/app-privacy-details

Skills: axiom-integration, axiom-shipping