VsTac task failed, could not find file appAsTgz.tgz when using global Cordova toolset

Question

When I use my globally installed Cordova 7.1.0 toolset and do an iOS remote build (to simulator or to Local Device), I almost immediately get the error message:

Answer 1

Latest way to compile for iOS using Cordova and Visual Studio 2017 (15.5)

In Mac OS:

• Install Xcode 9.*

• Install Node.JS 6.*. (https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v6.x/) - Newer NPM version doesn't work for now.

• Install Xcode components via terminal: xcode-select -–install

• Install "remotebuild" Microsoft tool for remote compile from Visual Studio (Windows): sudo npm install -g remotebuild

• Install COCOA Pods (needed by newer Cordova 7.1.0): sudo gem install cocoapods

• Setup COCOA Pods for your first use just running command (about 680 MB to download): pod setup

​ - Set permissions:

sudo chown -R $USER:$GROUP ~/.npm

sudo chown -R $USER:$GROUP ~/.config

• Start remotebuild to start listen: remotebuild

In Windows:

• Install newer Visual Studio 2017 (15.5)...

• Install Node.JS 6.*. (https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v6.x/) - Newer NPM version doesn't work for now.

• Install Global Cordova version (compatible with newer platforms and iOS versions): npm install -g cordova

• Until now the VS 2017 has a bug (https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/94814/vs-153-cordova-cannot-use-global-cordova-anymore.html) when Cordova project loads the VS force set to use Cordova Toolset 6.3.1. To solve it (workaround):
  • Change the follow line in config.xml (open using xml editor):

From

<vs:toolsetVersion>6.3.1</vs:toolsetVersion>

To

<vs:toolsetVersion>GlobalCordovaVersion</vs:toolsetVersion>

• Remove the follow lines from config.xml (open using xml editor):

<engine name="android" spec="5.2.1" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<engine name="ios" spec="4.2.0" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<engine name="windows" spec="4.4.2" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<preference name="windows-target-version" value="10.0" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

• Setup Visual Studio (Tools > Options > Tools For Apache Cordova)​ with the config generated by remotebuild (running in Mac OS). Screen example: Remote Agent Output

  • Tip: Try a ping before configure. If you have a problem, use IP instead computer name.

• Build. You can locate your *.ipa file in bin\iOS\Debug folder.

Answer 2

Yes it is possible and up until today I have been able to do this without too many problems however today I experienced the issue you have mentioned and I have spent all day trying to resolve it.

Unfortunately I cannot say exactly what caused it because I have been making lots of changes trying to resolve CORS issues after updating to use wkwebview for IOS (I am using Ionic framework by the way).

I have now resolved the issue after trying various things such as installing the latest updates for Visual Studio, trying to upgrade Node.js to the latest version (which I then had to revert back to version 6.12.0 due to problems with node-sass).

Again it is difficult to say exactly what fixed this because I have spent hours today trying various things in a panic to resolve the issue but I think it the solution was:

1. Delete node_modules in my project
2. Run npm install to rebuild the node_modules folder
3. I also had to run npm install -g cordova@latest

Answer 3

This is due to a bug in NPM 5.5. I'm fairly certain it's related to this bug:

https://github.com/npm/npm/issues/17858

I installed NodeJS 6.* (and not the latest LTS 8.*) and the issue went away. Reinstalling 8.* causes the issue to creep up again.