Ship Happens

Product Introduction

1. Ship Happens is a macOS application designed to streamline App Store submission workflows for iOS developers by automating localization and asset management tasks. The tool integrates directly with App Store Connect via secure API to enable bulk metadata updates, screenshot processing, and translation workflows within a native SwiftUI interface. It eliminates manual processes like spreadsheet-based localization management and repetitive screenshot formatting across device types.
2. The core value lies in reducing App Store update cycles from days to hours through automated technical implementations including on-device machine translation, version-controlled metadata management, and batch screenshot rendering with template systems. This enables solo developers and small teams to maintain App Store presence with enterprise-grade efficiency without requiring dedicated localization or ASO teams.

Main Features

1. The drag-and-drop screenshot builder supports dynamic text layer positioning with automatic resolution optimization for all required App Store display sizes (6.7" iPhone to 12.9" iPad). Users can apply CSS-like style presets to text elements and utilize smart background detection that maintains Apple's Human Interface Guidelines compliance through built-in validation checks.
2. Secure App Store Connect integration utilizes JWT authentication with API keys, enabling granular permissions management while maintaining SOC 2 compliance standards. The system supports parallel updates across multiple apps and locales, with version conflict detection that prevents accidental overwrites during team collaborations.
3. Hybrid localization engine combines on-device CoreML translation models for instant previews with planned Apple Intelligence API integration for production-grade translations. The current implementation preserves formatting placeholders (%@, %d) during translation processes and maintains separate version histories for each language's metadata.

Problems Solved

1. The product specifically addresses the technical debt accumulated during multi-locale App Store submissions, particularly the manual labor involved in resizing screenshots for 40+ required display configurations and maintaining translation spreadsheets. Automated validation prevents common App Store rejection reasons like mismatched screenshot resolutions or metadata length violations.
2. Primary users are indie iOS developers and small studios (1-10 people) managing 2-5 apps simultaneously, particularly those expanding to non-English markets. The tool also serves agencies handling client app updates who require centralized control over multiple developer accounts.
3. Typical scenarios include simultaneously updating feature descriptions across 12 language locales after a product pivot, batch-replacing screenshot backgrounds during seasonal marketing campaigns, and emergency metadata corrections to comply with App Store guideline changes.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike web-based ASO tools, Ship Happens operates as a native macOS app using SwiftUI and Core Data, enabling offline functionality and system-level integration with Xcode projects through custom URL schemes. This architecture ensures faster processing of large media files compared to browser-based alternatives.
2. The upcoming per-locale screenshot customization allows market-specific promotional text overlays while maintaining a single base image set, a feature not found in competing solutions. Planned Apple Intelligence integration will provide context-aware translation suggestions based on app category and previous update history.
3. Competitive differentiation stems from direct App Store Connect API implementation that bypasses third-party servers, ensuring sensitive app metadata never leaves the user's local network. The combination of one-time purchase pricing (vs subscription models) and Family Sharing support makes it cost-effective for small teams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How does Ship Happens handle data privacy with App Store Connect integration? The app uses locally stored API keys with read-write permissions limited strictly to metadata and screenshot management, never accessing financial data or user analytics. All processing occurs on-device without cloud routing.
2. What macOS versions are supported? The application requires macOS 15.5 or later due to its use of SwiftUI 5 features and CoreML 4 frameworks. Future updates will maintain compatibility with the latest three major macOS releases.
3. Can multiple team members collaborate on projects? While the current version supports Family Sharing for license management, team collaboration features including version locking and change tracking are scheduled for Q4 2025 release through a separate Team Edition package.
4. How accurate are the built-in translations? Current on-device models achieve 85-90% accuracy for major languages, with post-editing capabilities. The upcoming Apple Intelligence integration will enable app-specific terminology learning from previous App Store descriptions.
5. Is there iOS version support? An iOS companion app is planned for 2026 that will sync projects via iCloud Keychain while maintaining the same security standards. Current mobile access is provided through responsive web previews.