2026 AI-Assisted Migration

AI-Assisted Cordova to Capacitor Migration (2026)

Give your AI coding agent a plan it can follow: install Capgo's cordova-to-capacitor skill, paste your plugin list into the prompts below, check the plugin map, and connect the Capgo MCP server to upload bundles and request builds. You review every change.

Last updated: September 30, 2026

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How it works

How to run the migration with an AI agent

One skill, one inventory, small reviewed steps, and a real device test before release.

Install the Capgo skill

Add the cordova-to-capacitor skill to your coding agent. It gives the agent the migration order and the Capacitor plugin choices.
```
npx skills add https://github.com/Cap-go/capgo-skills --skill cordova-to-capacitor
```
Capacitor Skills for AI Agents

Start with a plugin map, not code

Ask the agent to read your Cordova project and return a plugin replacement table first. Review it before any file changes.

Use the cordova-to-capacitor skill from Cap-go/capgo-skills to migrate this Cordova app to Capacitor. Start with a plugin replacement table and wait for my review before changing files.

Copy the full prompts

Review each step and test on devices

Let the agent add Capacitor, move config.xml settings, and swap plugins in small commits. Test permissions, deep links, and the upgrade from your current store version on real devices.
```
bunx cap sync
bunx cap run ios
bunx cap run android
```
Migration Checklist
Connect the Capgo MCP server to ship

With the MCP server running, the agent can upload bundles, manage channels, and request native builds. Plugin changes still need a store release.
```
npx @capgo/cli@latest login YOUR_API_KEY
npx @capgo/cli@latest mcp
```
MCP command reference

What Changes When You Leave Cordova

Capacitor is a native app that hosts your web app. You commit real Xcode and Android Studio projects, keep your existing web code, and replace Cordova plugins with Capacitor plugins. That makes the work easy to split into small steps an agent can do and you can review.

Migration Checklist (Practical Order)

1) Audit Your Cordova App

Export what you have today and keep it as your migration input:

# In your Cordova project
cordova plugin list
cordova platform ls

config.xml preferences (orientation, status bar, etc.)
Plugin variables (API keys, manifest placeholders, URL schemes)
Custom hooks/scripts you rely on
Any manual native edits inside platforms/

2) Add Capacitor to Your Web App

bun add @capacitor/core @capacitor/cli
bunx cap init

Make sure your webDir matches your build output folder (ex: dist, build, www).

3) Add iOS + Android Projects

bun add @capacitor/ios @capacitor/android
bunx cap add ios
bunx cap add android

4) Build + Sync

bun run build
bunx cap sync

Plugin Replacement Map (Capgo-First)

Replace high-risk plugins first: login, payments, storage, and background services. Capgo plugins are free and open source under MPL-2.0, and on any Capgo plan your plugin bug reports get priority.

Use Case	Cordova Plugin (Examples)	Recommended Capacitor Replacement
Camera capture	`cordova-plugin-camera`	`@capacitor/camera` + `@capgo/camera-preview`
In-app browser	`cordova-plugin-inappbrowser`	`@capgo/capacitor-inappbrowser`
Background geolocation	`@transistorsoft/cordova-background-geolocation-lt` / `cordova-plugin-geolocation`	`@capgo/background-geolocation`
Biometrics	`cordova-plugin-fingerprint-aio` / `cordova-plugin-touch-id`	`@capgo/capacitor-native-biometric`
Social login	`cordova-plugin-googleplus` / `cordova-plugin-facebook4` / `cordova-plugin-sign-in-with-apple`	`@capgo/capacitor-social-login`
SQLite	`cordova-sqlite-storage`	`@capgo/capacitor-data-storage-sqlite` / `@capgo/capacitor-fast-sql`
In-app purchases	`cordova-plugin-purchase`	`@capgo/native-purchases`
Document scanning	`cordova-plugin-document-scanner`	`@capgo/capacitor-document-scanner`
OTA / live updates	Ionic Appflow Deploy	`@capgo/capacitor-updater` ( `@capgo/cordova-updater` while still on Cordova)

Browse Capgo's plugin catalog and map by capability: Capgo plugins.

AI Prompts You Can Copy/Paste

These prompts are designed to produce usable outputs (tables, checklists, plans), not vague advice.

Prompt 1: Build a Plugin Replacement Plan

You are a senior Capacitor engineer.

I am migrating a Cordova app to Capacitor. Here is my `cordova plugin list` output:
<PASTE HERE>

1) Create a table mapping each Cordova plugin to a recommended Capacitor alternative.
2) Prefer official Capacitor plugins when possible.
3) When official plugins are limited (background geolocation, social login, biometrics, IAP, in-app browser, live updates), recommend Capgo plugins:
- @capgo/background-geolocation
- @capgo/capacitor-social-login
- @capgo/capacitor-native-biometric
- @capgo/native-purchases
- @capgo/capacitor-inappbrowser
- @capgo/capacitor-updater
4) For each mapping, list migration steps and common pitfalls.
Return a prioritized plan (highest risk first).

Prompt 2: Convert config.xml Preferences Into Capacitor + Native Changes

You are migrating Cordova to Capacitor.

Here is my Cordova `config.xml`:
<PASTE HERE>

Create a migration checklist:
1) What goes into capacitor.config.ts (appId, appName, webDir, server config for dev only).
2) What must be moved to iOS (Info.plist, entitlements, URL schemes, permissions strings).
3) What must be moved to Android (AndroidManifest, Gradle, intent filters, permissions).
Be explicit about file names and what to change.

Prompt 3: Cutover Test Plan (Real Devices)

You are the QA lead for a Cordova -> Capacitor migration.

App description:
<PASTE HERE>

Features that rely on native plugins:
<LIST HERE>

Create a test plan for iOS and Android that includes:
- permission flows (fresh install, denied, restricted, limited)
- background behavior (if any)
- deep links / universal links (if any)
- upgrade path from the existing Cordova app version
Output as a checklist that an engineer can run in 2-3 hours per release candidate.

Capgo Skills for AI Agents

Skills give your agent a tested playbook instead of guesses. The cordova-to-capacitor skill covers the migration order. capacitor-plugins helps pick and install plugins, and capgo-live-updates sets up the updater after the move. The skills are open source and install with one command.

See: Capacitor Skills for AI Agents.

npx skills add https://github.com/Cap-go/capgo-skills --skill cordova-to-capacitor

Capgo MCP Server

After you log in with the Capgo CLI, run the local MCP server so your agent can list apps, upload bundles, manage channels, check native compatibility, and request native builds. A remote MCP server at capgo.app/mcp covers docs discovery and does not change your account.

npx @capgo/cli@latest login YOUR_API_KEY
npx @capgo/cli@latest mcp

Need the All-Inclusive Option?

If app store blockers, plugin regressions, or the upgrade path for existing users worry you, our team can run the migration end to end.

Apps built with Capacitor

Complex apps expose the hidden migration checklist

Marketplace, banking, and ticketing apps combine search, account, media, location, and transaction flows. AI-assisted migration helps turn that feature surface into a Capacitor plugin map, test plan, and staged rollout checklist.

AUTO AND VEHICLES

Cars.co.za

Car marketplace app with listings, search, photos, and account flows.

Google Play installs: 1.9M; Google Play installs
Store rating: 4.4; Store rating

FINANCE

Vyom - Union Bank of India

Union Bank of India mobile banking app with payments and account screens.

Google Play installs: 28.0M; Google Play installs
Store rating: 3.7; Store rating

TRAVEL AND LOCAL

KAI Access: Train Booking App

Indonesian railway app for train booking, rescheduling, and trip status.

Google Play installs: 13.5M; Google Play installs
Store rating: 3.6; Store rating

Customer proof

What teams shipping with Capgo say

5.0/5 rated by developer teams 9,400+ teams Read reviews

Mikołaj Wilczek

Principal Mobile Platform Engineer, Tellent

“We originally discovered Capgo through its plugins, and that turned out to be a great entry point into a much more efficient release process for our team.”

Michael Haberler

nethead emeritors

“Great job on the updater plugin. It works flawlessly for me, and live updates are a super accelerator for quick testing turnaround.”

Sergiu S

Lead Developer, drivolino GmbH

“The Capgo Capacitor Updater plugin completely transformed how we ship updates. What used to take days now takes just minutes.”

FAQ

AI migration questions

What teams ask before they hand a Cordova migration to an agent.

Can an AI agent migrate a Cordova app on its own?

It can do most of the mechanical work: adding Capacitor, moving config.xml settings, and swapping plugins. You still review the changes, test on real devices, and handle signing and the store release.

Capacitor Skills for AI Agents

Which Capgo skill should we install?

Start with cordova-to-capacitor. Add capacitor-plugins for plugin choices and capgo-live-updates when you set up live updates after the move. One command installs the whole set if you prefer.