Launch checklist
A launch checklist is the pre-submit pass that confirms metadata, builds, compliance, and review details are ready. Guessing what is missing is how releases slip. Helm includes a launch checklist so you can see gaps before App Review does.
What a launch checklist is
It is a structured review of everything a version needs: build selected, What's New filled, screenshots present, export compliance answered, review notes ready, and locale gaps closed.
Teams adapt the list to their product. Games care about events. Subscriptions care about IAP review info. Everyone cares about a working demo account.
Why it matters when you ship
Most "surprise" rejections are missing information, not mysterious policy traps. A checklist turns tribal knowledge into a repeatable habit.
It also reduces the heroics tax: fewer late-night ASC archaeology sessions before a marketing date.
How Helm helps
Helm's launch checklist is built into the release experience so you never have to guess what is missing before submitting. App states stay readable, and direct submit stays close to the fixes you still need.
Use it alongside export compliance, review notes, and phased release decisions.
A practical minimum list
Build + compliance. What's New + promotional text. Screenshots for required sizes. Keywords and subtitle sanity check. Review notes and demo login. Localization coverage for your top markets. IAP or event submissions if they ship with the version.
Add team-specific gates (privacy nutrition labels, accessibility labels, nomination draft) as your process matures.
- Build selected and processing complete
- Export compliance answered
- What's New and screenshots ready
- Review notes and demo account verified
- Locales and offers checked if they changed
FAQ
Is Helm's checklist the same as Apple's?
Helm highlights common missing pieces in your release workflow. Apple's review still applies its own guidelines to the binary and metadata you submit.
Can I customize the checklist?
Helm focuses on the readiness signals it can see in App Store Connect data. Your team can keep an internal doc for product-specific gates on top.
When should I run the checklist?
Once when you create the version, again after creatives land, and a final pass right before submit.
