build-tools adds opt-in CocoaPods dependency caching

Introduced 2026-08-29 · score 0.95

HOW TO USE IT

For repeated iOS builds that should reuse CocoaPods dependencies, set `EAS_PODS_CACHE=1` when running an EAS iOS build. EAS restores a matching Pods cache, runs `pod install`, then saves `ios/Pods` under the lockfile-based key.

WHY THIS HELPS

For repeated iOS builds where CocoaPods dependencies should be reused, enable remote Pods caching.

BEFORE THIS CHANGE

CocoaPods dependencies were installed from scratch on every iOS build.

REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

• Version: v23.0.0
• EAS_PODS_CACHE: Set to `1` to enable CocoaPods caching; otherwise caching is skipped.
• --platform ios (required): Selects iOS for the EAS build.
• Opt-in with `EAS_PODS_CACHE=1`.
• Supports traditional, custom, and simulator iOS builds.
• Cache failures are non-fatal.
• `~/Library/Caches/CocoaPods` is intentionally excluded.

FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE

• https://github.com/expo/eas-cli/releases/tag/v23.0.0
• https://github.com/expo/eas-cli/pull/4266
• https://github.com/expo/eas-cli/blob/main/packages/build-tools/src/steps/functions/restoreBuildCache.ts
• https://github.com/expo/eas-cli

Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON

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