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LafaekStreet Mobile App - Deployment Guide ​

Guide for building and deploying the Flutter mobile app to connect with production API.

🌐 API Configuration ​

Production API ​

  • Domain: api.lafaekstreet.com
  • Base URL: https://api.lafaekstreet.com
  • Full API URL: https://api.lafaekstreet.com/api/v1

Development API (Depend your IP) ​

  • Local Backend: http://10.237.178.32:8000
  • Full API URL: http://10.237.178.32:8000/api/v1

📋 Environment Files ​

Available Environments ​

  1. .env.development - Local development

    • Uses local backend IP
    • Debug mode enabled
    • Detailed logging

  2. .env.production - Production builds

    • Uses https://api.lafaekstreet.com
    • Debug mode disabled
    • Optimized for release

  3. .env - Active configuration

    • Copy from .env.development or .env.production
    • This file is used by the app

🚀 Quick Start ​

For Development ​

bash
cd lafaekstreet_app

# Use development environment
cp .env.development .env

# Run app
flutter run

For Production Build ​

bash
cd lafaekstreet_app

# Use production environment
cp .env.production .env

# Build for Android
flutter build apk --release

# Or build App Bundle (for Play Store)
flutter build appbundle --release

# Build for iOS
flutter build ios --release

🔧 Configuration Details ​

API Configuration ​

The app uses EnvConfig class to load environment variables:

dart
// lib/core/config/env_config.dart
class EnvConfig {
  static String get apiBaseUrl => dotenv.env['API_BASE_URL'] ?? 'http://localhost:8000';
  static String get apiVersion => dotenv.env['API_VERSION'] ?? 'v1';
  static String get apiUrl => '$apiBaseUrl/api/$apiVersion';
}

API Service ​

All API calls go through ApiService:

dart
// lib/services/api_service.dart
class ApiService {
  String get baseUrl => EnvConfig.apiUrl;

  // Example: GET request
  Future<dynamic> get(String endpoint) async {
    final response = await http.get(
      Uri.parse('$baseUrl$endpoint'),
      headers: await _getHeaders(),
    );
    return _handleResponse(response);
  }
}

📱 Building for Production ​

Prerequisites ​

  1. Backend Deployed

    • Lightsail instance running
    • SSL certificate installed
    • API accessible at https://api.lafaekstreet.com

  2. DNS Configured

    • api.lafaekstreet.com points to Lightsail IP
    • DNS propagated globally

  3. Test API

    bash
    curl https://api.lafaekstreet.com/health

Android Build ​

1. Switch to Production Environment ​

bash
cd lafaekstreet_app
cp .env.production .env

2. Update Version ​

Edit pubspec.yaml:

yaml
version: 1.0.0+1 # Increment for each release

3. Build APK ​

bash
# Build APK (for direct installation)
flutter build apk --release

# Output: build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk

4. Build App Bundle (Recommended for Play Store) ​

bash
# Build App Bundle
flutter build appbundle --release

# Output: build/app/outputs/bundle/release/app-release.aab

5. Test APK ​

bash
# Install on connected device
flutter install --release

# Or manually install
adb install build/app/outputs/flutter-apk/app-release.apk

iOS Build ​

1. Switch to Production Environment ​

bash
cd lafaekstreet_app
cp .env.production .env

2. Update Version ​

Edit pubspec.yaml:

yaml
version: 1.0.0+1 # Increment for each release

3. Build iOS ​

bash
# Build iOS
flutter build ios --release

# Open in Xcode for signing and distribution
open ios/Runner.xcworkspace

4. Archive and Upload ​

  1. In Xcode: Product → Archive
  2. Distribute App → App Store Connect
  3. Upload to TestFlight or App Store

🐛 Troubleshooting ​

Issue 1: API Connection Failed ​

Symptoms: App can't connect to API

Solutions:

  1. Check API URL in .env:

    bash
    cat .env | grep API_BASE_URL
# Should be: API_BASE_URL=https://api.lafaekstreet.com

  2. Test API from browser:

    https://api.lafaekstreet.com/health

  3. Check device internet connection

  4. Verify SSL certificate:

    bash
    curl -v https://api.lafaekstreet.com/health

Issue 2: Wrong Environment ​

Symptoms: App connects to wrong API

Solutions:

bash
# Check current .env
cat .env | grep API_BASE_URL

# Switch to production
cp .env.production .env

# Rebuild app
flutter clean
flutter build apk --release

Issue 3: SSL Certificate Error ​

Symptoms: Certificate verification failed

Solutions:

  1. Ensure using HTTPS in production
  2. Check certificate validity:
    bash
    openssl s_client -connect api.lafaekstreet.com:443
  3. Update device date/time

Issue 4: CORS Error ​

Symptoms: "CORS policy blocked"

Solutions:

  1. Check backend CORS configuration
  2. Ensure backend allows your domain
  3. Mobile apps typically don't have CORS issues (browser-only)

📦 Distribution ​

Android ​

Google Play Store ​

  1. Build App Bundle:

    bash
    flutter build appbundle --release

  2. Upload to Play Console:

    • Go to Play Console
    • Create new release
    • Upload app-release.aab
    • Fill in release notes
    • Submit for review

Direct Distribution (APK) ​

  1. Build APK:

    bash
    flutter build apk --release

  2. Share APK file:

    • Upload to website
    • Share via email/messaging
    • Users must enable "Install from Unknown Sources"

iOS ​

App Store ​

  1. Build and archive in Xcode
  2. Upload to App Store Connect
  3. Submit for review

TestFlight ​

  1. Upload to App Store Connect
  2. Add internal/external testers
  3. Distribute beta builds

🔄 Update Process ​

For New Backend Changes ​

  1. Backend Updated → No app changes needed (if API compatible)

  2. API Changes → Update app code:

    bash
    # Update API service
# Test with new endpoints
# Rebuild app
flutter build apk --release

For App Updates ​

  1. Update version in pubspec.yaml
  2. Update code
  3. Test thoroughly
  4. Build release
  5. Distribute

📱 App Store Metadata ​

App Name ​

LafaekStreet

Description ​

Civic engagement platform for Timor-Leste. Report road issues, track progress, and improve your community.

Keywords ​

civic, engagement, road, report, timor-leste, community

Category ​

Utilities / Productivity

Screenshots ​

  • Prepare 5-8 screenshots per device size
  • Show key features: report creation, map view, notifications

🎉 Success! ​

Production API: https://api.lafaekstreet.com

Build Commands:

bash
# Android
cp .env.production .env && flutter build apk --release

# iOS
cp .env.production .env && flutter build ios --release

📞 Support ​

Check Configuration ​

bash
cat .env | grep API_BASE_URL

Test API ​

bash
curl https://api.lafaekstreet.com/health

View Logs ​

bash
flutter logs

Happy Building! 🚀

Built for Timor-Leste

Copyright © 2025 LafaekStreet