How to Create a Release
0:00/1×Walkthrough on creating a release manually, installing it from our app, and automating it using TA-CLI
This guide covers how to create a release in TestApp.io, including new features like release notes for AI task generation, version linking, and blocker tracking.
1. Uploading a Release
There are two ways to upload a release:
Manual Upload (Portal)
- Go to your app in the TestApp.io portal.
- Click "New Release" or drag and drop your file.
- Select your build file: APK (Android) or IPA (iOS).
- TestApp.io automatically detects the app name, version, and build number from the file metadata.
Automated Upload (CI/CD)
Use ta-cli to upload from your CI/CD pipeline with a single command:
ta-cli publish \
--api_token=YOUR_TOKEN \
--app_id=YOUR_APP_ID \
--release_notes="Bug fixes and performance improvements" \
--notify=true \
--file=path/to/app.apkSupported CI/CD platforms: GitHub Actions, Bitrise, CircleCI, Fastlane, Jenkins, Xcode Cloud, and more.
2. Adding Release Notes
Release notes help your team understand what changed in each build. You can add them:
- Manually — Type notes in the release form.
- From Git — Use
--git_release_notes=truewith ta-cli to pull from your latest commit message.
Tip:AI-powered task generationAI Task Generation Guide
3. Notifying Your Team
After uploading, notify your team about the new release:
- In-app notification — Toggle "Notify" when creating the release.
- Slack/Teams — If connected, notifications are sent automatically to your configured channels.
- Install link — Share the direct install link or QR code with testers.
4. Linking Releases to Versions
Releases can be linked to a Version to track them as part of your release lifecycle:
- When creating or editing a release, select the version it belongs to.
- The release appears in the version's Releases tab.
- Blockers reported against the release are reflected in the version's quality metrics.
Learn more: Version Lifecycle Guide
5. Tracking Blockers on Releases
When testers find critical issues, they can report blockers against a release:
- Blocker counts appear on the release card and app dashboard.
- Releases with unresolved blockers show a warning indicator.
- Blockers must be resolved before a version can move to "Ready" status.
Learn more: Blocker Tracking Guide
6. Installing Releases
Testers can install releases in multiple ways:
- QR Code — Scan from the portal on desktop to install on mobile.
- Direct link — Open the install link on a mobile device.
- TestApp.io app — Tap "Install on Device" from the portal on mobile.
Learn more: Install from Portal Guide
Related Setup Guides
Need help? Contact us or visit help.testapp.io.