Strange error when trying to upload app containing a Help Book

I create a help book for my macOS app and it works locally.

However, when I try to upload the app to App Store Connect I get a strange error:

Image:

Text:

Bad CFBundleExecutable. Cannot find executable file that matches the value of CFBundleExecutable in the nested bundle DottieHelp [com.gingerbeardman.Dottie.pkg/Payload/Dottie.app/Contents/Resources/DottieHelp.help] property list file. (ID: 48052567-91cc-43ca-8d7c-0f14bd60e6da)

This is curious, because there is no executable in the help file.

If I delete CFBundleExecutable from the help target in Xcode, it keeps coming back. Why?

But if I do an Archive build, then go deep into the bundle and manually remove entry for CFBundleExecutable then the build uploads fine.

Any ideas how I can prevent Xcode from adding CFBundleExecutable key to the info.plist of a help file?

  • macOS 14.7.6 (23H626)
  • Xcode 16.2 (16C5032a)
Answered by gingerbeardman in 847729022

OK, I just used some heavy handed run script on the Help target.

/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Delete :CFBundleExecutable" "${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${PRODUCT_NAME}.help/Contents/Info.plist"

This removes the key as part of the build.

Accepted Answer

OK, I just used some heavy handed run script on the Help target.

/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Delete :CFBundleExecutable" "${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/${PRODUCT_NAME}.help/Contents/Info.plist"

This removes the key as part of the build.

How did you create your help book bundle target? From the macOS > Bundle template?

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Strange error when trying to upload app containing a Help Book
 
 
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