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Capgo CLI + MCP

One CLI + MCP to rule them all

One tool for live updates, native builds, compatibility checks, device runs, and AI-assisted Capgo automation through MCP.

MCP tools for AI agents OTA or native release checks Signed builds from the same terminal
Capgo CLI

Release checks, guarded uploads, and native builds in one terminal session.

npx @capgo/cli bundle releaseType
Animated example — tabs switch the command flow
CLI proof

Release workflows people trust from terminal to production

Short notes from teams using Capgo for Capacitor updates, native builds, and release control.

Getting set up took less than a day. Channel-based rollouts let me test on my own device before anything hits production users.

Nate van Jole CTO, Private

Being able to add Device ID's to certain groups and push the changes to only certain groups is a life saver.

no-tone @ Webincode Developer, Webincode
Honest comparison

Capgo CLI vs. the alternatives.

Same release work. Different automation.

Capgo CLI DIY / manual Scripts, Fastlane, and dashboard clicks Competitor cloud
Release CLI One CLI. OTA uploads, native builds, channels, compatibility, device runs, and MCP from the same terminal. Separate scripts, curl jobs, Fastlane lanes, and one-off API calls you maintain yourself. No first-class CLI. Releases stay in the dashboard or git-triggered flows.
AI agent automation Built-in MCP. Expose apps, bundles, channels, builds, stats, and diagnostics to Codex, Cursor, Claude Code, and other agents. Nothing unless you build and maintain your own tooling. No MCP server. Agents cannot drive releases for you.
OTA vs native decision Explicit command. bundle releaseType tells you whether OTA is safe or a native build is required before you ship. Manual review of native diffs and tribal knowledge. Dashboard hints at best. Easy to guess wrong under pressure.
Guarded OTA upload From CI. bundle upload with compatibility gates, delta support, encryption, and QR preview links. Manual zip upload or custom API scripts with checks you wrote. Portal upload or git hook. Limited preflight from the terminal.
Native build requests Same terminal. build request with output records, QR links, and logs streamed back to your shell. Open Xcode, Android Studio, or Fastlane on a Mac you babysit. Push to git or click in the dashboard. No scriptable build record for CI.
CI integration Scriptable output. JSON build records, exit codes, and QR artifacts your pipeline can gate on. You glue together every step, secret, and artifact path. Webhooks in places. Most teams still coordinate releases manually.
Compatibility checks Before upload. CLI scans native dependencies and fails early when OTA would be unsafe. No guardrails unless you built them. Basic bundle validation. Native drift is easy to miss.
Try before you pay Yes. 14-day unlimited free trial. No credit card required. Cheap until you count the hours keeping scripts alive. Tiered plans. Trials vary by vendor.

Comparison reflects typical DIY/manual setups and public competitor cloud documentation.

What the CLI gives your team

Release automation for CapacitorJS apps with a native safety check built in

The CLI is the path from local Capacitor project to production release. It sets up the app, verifies what can ship OTA, and keeps native build work available when dependencies require it.

MCP server for AI-assisted release work

Start the CLI MCP server so agents can list and manage apps, upload bundles, manage channels, check compatibility, request native builds, run diagnostics, and generate encryption keys.

Safe live-update uploads

Upload bundles with compatibility gates, delta updates, encryption, metadata, cleanup, and QR preview links for quick test passes.

OTA or native build decision support

Run compatibility or release-type commands before production. When native dependencies change, the CLI points you toward a native build instead of a risky live update.

Native build requests from the same terminal

Request cloud builds for iOS or Android, keep output links and QR records for automation, and avoid parking signing credentials permanently on Capgo.

Device and simulator loops

Initialize the app, run it on physical devices or simulators, and keep the native verification step near the release command.

App, channel, and bundle operations

Use CLI and MCP commands to add apps, update channels, inspect bundles, clean old releases, probe delivery, and read account or organization state.

From Martin

Why the Capgo CLI matters

Capgo founder Martin on shipping Capacitor releases from the terminal, checking compatibility before you push, and keeping native builds in the same workflow.

Martin, Founder, Capgo

Command flow

From setup to the right release type

Capgo CLI commands make the important release fork explicit: live update when the web layer changed, native build when the app binary needs to move.

OTA path

Use compatibility gates and preview QR links when the web bundle can move safely.

Native path

Request a signed build when dependencies, permissions, or native code changed.

  1. 1

    Initialize updates, upload, build, and verification flows

    npx @capgo/cli@latest init
  2. 2

    Ask whether a release should be OTA or native

    npx @capgo/cli@latest bundle releaseType com.acme.app --channel production
  3. 3

    Upload a guarded live update with a preview QR

    npx @capgo/cli@latest bundle upload --channel production --fail-on-incompatible --qr-preview
  4. 4

    Request a native build and keep output for CI or PRs

    npx @capgo/cli@latest build request com.acme.app --platform ios --build-mode release --output-upload --output-record .capgo/build.json

Native builds and MCP

Let the CLI handle the release work your app actually needs

When compatibility says the change is OTA-safe, ship a guarded live update. When native code, permissions, or dependencies changed, request a native build and keep the output visible for CI, PRs, and reviewers.

Apps
Bundles
Channels
Compatibility
Native builds
Stats
Doctor
Delivery probe

MCP install

Install Capgo CLI MCP

Register the CLI server in Codex, Cursor, Claude Code, Windsurf, VS Code, Zed, or Gemini CLI.

npx install-mcp 'npx @capgo/cli@latest mcp' --client codex

Replace codex with the client your team uses.

Build record

iOS release build

Saved output for CI, PR checks, and mobile review.

ready
Platform
iOS
Mode
release
Output
IPA and install QR
Record
.capgo/build.json
npx @capgo/cli@latest build request com.acme.app --platform ios --output-upload --output-record .capgo/build.json

Status is visible before release notes are posted.

QR output stays available for device validation.

Errors can fail CI before a risky release ships.

Apps built with Capacitor

Capacitor apps need release tooling that respects native boundaries

Large Capacitor apps mix web changes with native dependencies. The Capgo CLI keeps that boundary visible before a production release goes out.

Apps shown are sourced from a public store app dataset used across the website.

Use the CLI today

Add Capgo to your release scripts without waiting on a dashboard session.

Start with the CLI docs, then wire compatibility checks, bundle uploads, native builds, or MCP into the workflow your team already uses.