app-deploy

Automate deploying Learn and Deliver apps to the CRISPR-Connect domain on CommCare HQ.

1|2|Updated Apr 1, 2026

Search Tags:#workflow #deployment #build-publish #app-deploy #gate-brief #commcare-hq #learn-deliver

One-click install

npx skills add https://github.com/jjackson/ace --skill app-deploy

Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: app-deploy
Source: https://github.com/jjackson/ace/tree/main/skills/app-deploy
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/jjackson/ace --skill app-deploy

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Upload Learn and Deliver app JSONs to the CRISPR-Connect domain on CommCare HQ, build, and publish the apps.

Core Features & Use Cases

Read app files from ACE/<opp-name>/apps/ via Google Drive MCP.
Upload to CCHQ:
- Target domain: CRISPR-Connect domain (pre-configured with feature flags and API keys)
- Upload Learn app JSON
- Upload Deliver app JSON
Build apps on CCHQ — trigger the build process for both apps.
Publish apps — make them available for mobile deployment.
Write deployment summary to ACE/<opp-name>/deployment-summary.md:
- App IDs on CCHQ
- Build status
- Published URLs
- Domain and project details
Write the gate brief to ACE/<opp-name>/gate-briefs/app-deploy.md using the shape defined in agents/ace-orchestrator.md § Gate Brief Contract. See ## Gate Brief below for the exact fields this skill populates.

Gate Brief

The gate brief at ACE/<opp-name>/gate-briefs/app-deploy.md gives the admin a fast read on whether both apps are actually live before Phase 3 starts building Connect opps on top of them.

Artifact Under Review: path ACE/<opp-name>/deployment-summary.md; summary is Learn + Deliver apps deployed to <domain>
What to Check (emit these 4 items verbatim):
- Both learn_app_id and deliver_app_id are populated and resolve to built releases on CCHQ (not just drafts)
- The Connectify feature flags (Learn Module, Assessment Score, Deliver Unit, Entity ID) are present on the forms the admin named in the PDD's Learn/Deliver specs
- The published URLs return a CCZ and not a 404 / redirect
- The domain matches the one the PDD's LLO targets can access
Auto-Surfaced Concerns: one line per item:
- [BLOCKER] if either app's build status is anything other than success (e.g., errored, pending, missing)
- [WARN] if the deploy ran via the Current Workaround (human-assisted upload) rather than the built API — this is expected today but should surface so the admin knows to sanity-check manually
- [INFO] if any non-blocking cosmetic fields are empty (e.g., the short description)
Recommended Disposition: Approve if both apps built successfully and URLs resolve; Reject if either app failed to build; Approve with caveats if deploy ran through the workaround path

MCP Tools Used

Google Drive: drive_read_file, drive_create_file
CommCare: TBD — app upload API or CommCare CLI wrapper

Current Workaround (CommCare app upload not yet automated)

Read the app JSON/CCZ files from GDrive
Provide the user with:
- The CRISPR-Connect domain URL
- Instructions to upload each app via the HQ UI
- What settings to verify after upload
Ask the user to confirm both apps are uploaded and built
Write the deployment summary with the app IDs the user provides

Mode Behavior

Auto: Deploy (or guide manual deploy), notify admin group, proceed
Review: Present deployment summary, wait for verification before proceeding

Dry-Run Behavior

When --dry-run is active:

Write the intended API calls (app upload, build, publish) and app package references to comms-log/dry-run-app-deploy.md
Do not upload, build, or publish apps on CCHQ
State tracks as dry-run-success

Change Log

| Date | Change | Author | |------|--------|--------| | 2026-04-03 | Initial version | ACE team | | 2026-04-17 | Emit gate brief at ACE/<opp-name>/gate-briefs/app-deploy.md covering build status, Connectify flags, and workaround-path warnings for the Phase 2→3 gate | ACE team (PM scout, internal-admin lens) |

Frequently Asked Questions about app-deploy

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I deploy Learn and Deliver apps to CommCare HQ?▼

You can preview the deployment workflow using a dry-run mode that logs intended API calls and app package references to a markdown file without uploading, building, or publishing apps on CommCare HQ.

How do I generate a deployment gate brief for CommCare apps?▼

When CommCare app upload is not yet automated, the workflow provides a manual workaround that reads app files, gives the user domain URLs and upload instructions, and writes the deployment summary using manually provided app IDs.

Can I use Google Drive files to publish apps on the CRISPR-Connect domain?▼

The workflow supports both Auto and Review modes, either proceeding automatically through deployment and notifying the admin group or presenting a deployment summary and waiting for verification before continuing.

What limitations exist when deploying apps to CommCare HQ automatically?▼

The gate brief flags this workaround path as a warning and recommends approving with caveats, while rejecting deployments where either app build status is anything other than success.