ScaleCloud iOS

iOS client for Nextcloud with integrated Tailscale networking layer.

Project Structure

ScaleCloudGo/       # Go networking layer (Tailscale + goproxy)
ScaleCloudKit/      # Fork of NextcloudKit (API/networking)
ScaleCloudApp/      # Fork of nextcloud/ios (main application)
ScaleCloudWrap/     # Distribution wrapper

Technology Stack

ScaleCloudGo

• Language: Go 1.26.3
• Key Dependencies:
  • tailscale.com v1.98.3 (VPN/networking)
  • goproxy v1.8.3 (HTTP proxy)
  • wlynxg/anet v0.0.5 (Android network utilities)
• Output: XCFramework for iOS (via gomobile)

ScaleCloudKit

• Language: Swift
• Framework Name: ScaleCloudKit.framework
• Dependencies:
  • Alamofire 5.10.2+ (HTTP networking)
  • SwiftyJSON 5.0.2+ (JSON parsing)
  • SwiftyXMLParser 5.6.0+ (XML parsing)
• Upstream: https://github.com/nextcloud/NextcloudKit
• Note: Built as ScaleCloudKit.framework (not NextcloudKit)

ScaleCloudApp

• Language: Swift
• Dependencies:
  • ScaleCloudKit (framework from ScaleCloudKit layer)
  • ScaleCloudGo (XCFramework from Go layer)
  • RealmSwift (database)
  • MobileVLCKit (media playback)
  • LucidBanner (notifications)
  • Additional nextcloud/ios dependencies
• Upstream: https://github.com/nextcloud/ios
• Note: Uses committed .xcodeproj (not generated), with framework search paths pre-configured

ScaleCloudWrap

• Language: Swift
• Purpose: Distribution packaging and configuration

Build System

Uses GitHub Actions with xcodegen-based project generation. Each layer builds independently and produces artifacts that are manually committed to repository.

See BUILD.md for complete build instructions.

Quick summary:

1. Build Go layer → download artifact → commit to ScaleCloudGo/prebuilt/
2. Build Kit layer → download artifact → commit to ScaleCloudKit/prebuilt/
3. Build App layer → download artifact → commit to ScaleCloudApp/prebuilt/
4. Build Wrap layer → download artifact (final deliverable)

Recent Build History

June 9, 2026 - ScaleCloud features integration and successful compilation

• Added 3 missing Swift files to Xcode project (ScaleCloudWatchedFolders*, ScaleCloudDownloadsHelper)
• Fixed iOS security-scoped bookmark API usage (removed macOS-only .withSecurityScope option)
• Fixed optional binding error in NCSession.getSession() call
• Updated framework references from NextcloudKit.framework to ScaleCloudKit.framework
• Result: ✅ All targets compile successfully
• Commits: 5f5eeef196, 4134dffed0, 2cdd5fd09b, 68cf83aec6

Development Environment

• Xcode: 16.2
• iOS Deployment Target: 14.0+
• macOS: Required for building (uses macOS-14 runners in CI)

Local Build Requirements

• Xcode 16.2+
• Go 1.26.3 (for ScaleCloudGo)
• gomobile (go install golang.org/x/mobile/cmd/gomobile@latest)
• xcodegen (brew install xcodegen)

Architecture Principles

Layered Dependencies

Each layer depends only on layers below it. No circular dependencies.

Manual Artifact Management

Prebuilt frameworks are committed to repository rather than fetched dynamically. This provides:

• Explicit rebuild control
• Faster CI builds (rebuild only changed layers)
• Clear dependency tracking
• No complex automation

Upstream Compatibility

• Kit maintains "NextcloudKit" module name for import compatibility
• Minimal divergence from upstream nextcloud/ios and NextcloudKit
• Can pull and merge upstream changes without breaking build system

Project Generation

Uses xcodegen to generate .xcodeproj files from project.yml specifications:

• Version control friendly (YAML instead of XML pbxproj)
• Declarative configuration
• Easy to modify and maintain

Repository Layout

.github/workflows/       # GitHub Actions workflows
  ├── testbuildSCGo.yml
  ├── testbuildSCKit.yml
  ├── testbuildSCApp.yml
  └── testbuildSCWrap.yml

ScaleCloudGo/
  ├── go.mod, go.sum      # Go module definition
  ├── *.go                # Go source code
  ├── project.yml         # xcodegen spec (not used in simplified workflow)
  └── prebuilt/           # Committed XCFramework

ScaleCloudKit/
  ├── Package.swift       # SPM definition (from upstream)
  ├── project.yml         # xcodegen spec
  ├── Sources/            # Swift source code
  └── prebuilt/           # Committed NextcloudKit.framework

ScaleCloudApp/
  ├── project.yml         # xcodegen spec
  ├── iOSClient/          # Application source
  ├── Brand/              # Branding assets
  └── prebuilt/           # Committed app archive

ScaleCloudWrap/
  ├── project.yml         # xcodegen spec
  └── prebuilt/           # Final distribution

tuistbackup/             # Old Tuist-based build system (archived)
BUILD.md                 # Build workflow documentation
README.md               # This file

Contributing

Making Changes

1. Modify Go layer: Edit .go files in ScaleCloudGo/, rebuild Go → Kit → App → Wrap
2. Modify Kit layer: Edit Swift files in ScaleCloudKit/Sources/, rebuild Kit → App → Wrap
3. Modify App layer: Edit files in ScaleCloudApp/iOSClient/, rebuild App → Wrap
4. Modify Wrap layer: Edit ScaleCloudWrap/ files, rebuild Wrap only

Pulling Upstream Changes

See BUILD.md "Upstream Compatibility" section for merge instructions.

Features

Core Nextcloud Features

• Tailscale Integration: Native Go-based Tailscale client in iOS app
• Nextcloud Client: Full-featured Nextcloud iOS client functionality
• Offline Support: Local file caching and sync
• Media Playback: Integrated video/audio player
• Secure Networking: VPN-layer security via Tailscale

ScaleCloud-Specific Features

• Custom Login UI: Specialized login flow for Tailscale-hosted Nextcloud instances
• Watched Download Folders: Monitor user-selected folders and automatically upload new files
• Auto-Upload Integration: Enhanced auto-upload for photos, videos, and watched folders
• Security-Scoped Bookmarks: Persistent access to user-selected folders across app restarts

License

Inherits licenses from upstream components:

• Nextcloud iOS client: GPLv3
• NextcloudKit: GPLv3
• Tailscale: BSD 3-Clause
• Individual dependencies: See respective licenses

Links

• Upstream NextcloudKit: https://github.com/nextcloud/NextcloudKit
• Upstream Nextcloud iOS: https://github.com/nextcloud/ios
• Tailscale: https://tailscale.com