xcodebuild "Unable to load contents of file list" in CI

A build phase references an .xcfilelist that does not exist on the runner. These lists are generated by pod install, so a build without it fails.

What this error means

The build fails with Unable to load contents of file list: ...Pods-MyApp-frameworks-Release-input-files.xcfilelist. It happens when Pods were not installed.

xcodebuild

error: Unable to load contents of file list: '/Target Support Files/Pods-MyApp/Pods-MyApp-frameworks-Debug-input-files.xcfilelist' (in target 'MyApp')

Common causes

pod install not run

The xcfilelist files are generated by CocoaPods. Without pod install, the referenced files are absent.

Pods directory not restored from cache

A cache miss or partial restore can leave the Target Support Files directory incomplete.

How to fix it

Run pod install before building

Install Pods so the xcfilelist files are generated.
Build the workspace afterward.

shell

pod install
xcodebuild -workspace MyApp.xcworkspace -scheme MyApp build

Invalidate a stale Pods cache

If you cache the Pods directory, key the cache on Podfile.lock so a lockfile change forces a fresh install.

How to prevent it

Always run pod install in CI and cache keyed on Podfile.lock. On Latchkey managed runners, transient pod fetch failures are auto-retried.