--- description: Create your first native iOS or Android build with Capawesome Cloud. Configure signing, environments, and ship installable artifacts in minutes. title: Getting Started with Native Builds - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/cloud/native-builds/setup.png --- [ Skip to content](#getting-started) [ 🔐 Introducing the **Capacitor Vault** plugin — store secrets behind biometrics or a device passcode.](/blog/announcing-the-capacitor-vault-plugin/) * [ SDKs ](/docs/sdks/) * [ Formbricks ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/formbricks/) * [ Geocoder ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/geocoder/) * [ Google Sign-In ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/google-sign-in/) * [ Grafana Faro ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/grafana-faro/) * [ libSQL ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/libsql/) * [ Live Update ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/live-update/) * [ Managed Configurations ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/managed-configurations/) * [ Media Session ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/media-session/) * [ ML Kit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/mlkit/) * [ Navigation Bar ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/navigation-bar/) * [ NFC ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/nfc/) * [ OAuth ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/oauth/) * [ Pedometer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pedometer/) * [ Photo Editor ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/photo-editor/) * [ PostHog ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/posthog/) * [ Printer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/printer/) * [ Purchases ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/purchases/) * [ RealtimeKit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/realtimekit/) * [ Screen Orientation ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screen-orientation/) * [ Screenshot ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screenshot/) * [ Secure Preferences ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/secure-preferences/) * [ Speech Recognition ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-recognition/) * [ Speech Synthesis ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-synthesis/) * [ Share Target ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/share-target/) * [ Square Mobile Payments ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/square-mobile-payments/) * [ SQLite ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/sqlite/) * [ Superwall ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/superwall/) * [ Torch ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/torch/) * [ Vault ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/vault/) * [ Wifi ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/wifi/) * [ Zip ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/zip/) * [ Cordova ](/docs/sdks/cordova/) * [ Cloud ](/docs/cloud/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/integrations/) * Concepts * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/faq/) * [ Native Builds ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/) * Guides * [ Set Up Environments ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/environments/) * [ Overwrite Native Configurations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/native-configurations/) * [ Auto-Increment Build Numbers ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/auto-incrementing-build-numbers/) * [ Configure the Web Build Script ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/web-build-script/) * [ Build from a Monorepo ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/monorepo/) * [ Use pnpm, Yarn, or bun ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/package-managers/) * [ Install Private npm Packages ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/npm-private-registry/) * [ Override the Java Version ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/override-java-version/) * [ Custom iOS Provisioning Profiles ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/custom-ios-provisioning-profiles/) * [ Build without Git ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-without-git/) * [ Access Git Behind a Firewall ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/firewall-access/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/integrations/) * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/faq/) * [ App Store Publishing ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/) * [ Submit a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-a-build/) * [ Submit Automatically After a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-automatically/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/faq/) * [ Automations ](/docs/cloud/automations/) * [ Reference ](/docs/cloud/automations/reference/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/automations/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/automations/faq/) * [ Assist ](/docs/cloud/assist/) * [ CLI ](/docs/cloud/cli/) * APIs and SDKs * [ Webhooks ](/docs/cloud/webhooks/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * Account * [ Organization ](/docs/cloud/organizations/) * [ Two-Factor Enforcement ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Audit Logs ](/docs/cloud/organizations/audit-logs/) * [ Billing ](/docs/cloud/organizations/billing/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ AI ](/docs/ai/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ Billing & Plans ](/docs/insiders/billing-and-plans/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * Contributing code * [ Code of Conduct ](/docs/contributing/code-of-conduct/) * [ Questions ](https://docs.github.com/en/discussions/collaborating-with-your-community-using-discussions/participating-in-a-discussion#creating-a-discussion) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories # Getting Started[¶](#getting-started "Permanent link") In this guide, you will learn how to create your first native build using Capawesome Cloud Native Builds. ## Prerequisites[¶](#prerequisites "Permanent link") Before you begin, ensure you have: * A [Capawesome Cloud](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io) account and organization. * An iOS or Android app in a Git repository (Capacitor, Cordova, or native). * The latest version of the [Capawesome CLI](/docs/cloud/cli/) installed and [authenticated](/docs/cloud/cli/authentication/). ## Step 1: Create an App[¶](#step-1-create-an-app "Permanent link") To identify your app in Capawesome Cloud, you need to create an app in the console. If you have already created an app, you can **skip this step** and proceed to Step 2. CLIConsole To create an app using the [Capawesome CLI](/docs/cloud/cli/), use the [apps:create](/docs/cloud/cli/commands/#appscreate) command: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-0-1)npx @capawesome/cli apps:create ` You will be prompted to select the organization you want to create the app in and to provide a name for the app. The CLI will then create the app. To create an app using the [Capawesome Cloud Console](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/organizations/%5F/apps), select the organization you want to create the app in and click on the "Create App" button. ## Step 2: Connect Your Source Code[¶](#step-2-connect-your-source-code "Permanent link") The most common way to build is by connecting your Git repository to Capawesome Cloud. This lets the build service clone your source code and build your app, and unlocks Git metadata and [Automations](/docs/cloud/automations/). Follow these steps to connect your repository: 1. Navigate to the [Git](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/apps/%5F/git) page of your app in the Capawesome Cloud Console. 2. In the **Git Providers** section, select your Git provider (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.) and click **Connect** to authorize Capawesome Cloud to access your account. If you've already connected a provider, you can skip this step. 3. In the **Git Repositories** section, select your Git provider from the dropdown, choose the repository owner, and select the repository you want to connect. 4. Click **Save** to finalize the connection. Your Git repository is now connected to Capawesome Cloud and ready for building. No Git? Or a Git server behind a firewall? Connecting Git is optional. You can upload your local source files directly with the CLI's `--path` option instead — see [Build without Git Connection](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-without-git/). If your Git server sits behind a firewall, see [Access Git Behind a Firewall](/docs/cloud/native-builds/firewall-access/) for your options. ## Step 3: Trigger First Build[¶](#step-3-trigger-first-build "Permanent link") Once your Git repository is connected, you can trigger your first build. CLIConsole Use the [apps:builds:create](/docs/cloud/cli/commands/#appsbuildscreate) command: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-1-1)npx @capawesome/cli apps:builds:create --platform android --git-ref main ` 1. Navigate to the [Builds](https://console.cloud.capawesome.io/apps/%5F/builds) page of your app. 2. Click **Build from Git**. 3. Select the **Git reference** (branch, tag, or commit) to build from. 4. Select the **Platform** (iOS or Android) and **Build Type**. Choose **Debug** or **Simulator** for initial testing. 5. Click **Build** to start the build. [Monitor the build](/docs/cloud/native-builds/monitor-builds/) until it completes, then download the artifact. For a quick first build, choose **Debug** on Android or **Simulator** on iOS — neither needs a [signing certificate](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/). Note that an iOS Simulator build runs _only_ in the iOS Simulator and cannot be installed on a physical iPhone (see Step 4). Congratulations! You have created your first native build using Capawesome Cloud. 🎉 ## Step 4: Install Your Build[¶](#step-4-install-your-build "Permanent link") How you run your build depends on the platform and build type you chose. For full instructions, see [Install a Build on a Device](/docs/cloud/native-builds/install-on-device/). AndroidiOS A **Debug** APK installs directly on a physical device — no signing required. Open the build's detail page, click **Install App**, scan the QR code (or tap **Download** on the device), then open the APK to install. You'll need to [allow installs from unknown sources](/docs/cloud/native-builds/install-on-device/#android) first. For a **Release** build, add a [signing certificate](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/android/). A **Simulator** build runs only in the iOS Simulator on a Mac — it **cannot** be installed on a physical iPhone via QR code or download. To install on a real device, create a **signed Development** build: register the device's UDID, add an [iOS signing certificate](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/ios/) and provisioning profile that includes the device, then install via the QR code. See [Install a Build on a Device](/docs/cloud/native-builds/install-on-device/#ios) for the full walkthrough. ## Bonus: Video Tutorials[¶](#bonus-video-tutorials "Permanent link") Want to see the entire process in action? Check out these video tutorials: AndroidiOS This walkthrough covers the full Android build workflow — from triggering a build from your Git repository to downloading the artifact and testing it on your device. This walkthrough covers how to create an iOS Simulator build as well as a signed Development build using an Apple developer certificate and provisioning profile. ## Next Steps[¶](#next-steps "Permanent link") * **Sign Your Builds** --- Add a signing certificate to produce release builds ready for distribution. [ Set up signing certificates](/docs/cloud/native-builds/certificates/) * **Submit to the Stores** --- Send your builds straight to TestFlight and Google Play. [ Set up App Store Publishing](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/setup/) * **Automate Your Builds** --- Trigger builds automatically on every push or tag. [ Set up Automations](/docs/cloud/automations/setup/) June 15, 2026 Back to top