[General]: Publish in FDroid

[HKalbasi]

Issue description
FDroid is an app store for open source android applications. It has some really nice properties, for example it ensures that the app is open source by building it from source. AFAIK there is no ai app in it, so it would be great to have pocketpal-al in it.

[a-ghorbani]

I don't have any experience with F-Droid. I'll need to look into it. But, if anyone is interested in working on this, I am open to it. In the meantime we are going to publish the apk here too.

[I-I-IT]

Thanks you for the Github Releases.
I can ask inclusion of the app, but first, do you use any proprietary components, like Google Services, or does building the app from source requires proprietary tools?

[a-ghorbani]

The app doesn't use any proprietary components and is built using Gradle. For the details about the build process refer to the ci configs here: Job for Android build.

[pepijndevos]

Seems like you just make a PR against the F-Droid repo https://f-droid.org/docs/Submitting_to_F-Droid_Quick_Start_Guide/

[I-I-IT]

I am the one who made the request. @a-ghorbani if you want automatic buidling, they ask you use fastlane- which automatically signs releases, take screenshots, etc.

It might be fine if you don't but there will be a longer delay as the F-Droid team will need to do this themselves, at least for the first time.

[a-ghorbani]

@I-I-IT
The project uses Fastlane. I'm not sure how F-Droid scans the source code but for the release ci, please take a look at this file: https://github.com/a-ghorbani/pocketpal-ai/blob/main/.github/workflows/release.yml
This file uses Fastlane for release builds, signing, etc.

Related fastfiles:

• Versin bump: https://github.com/a-ghorbani/pocketpal-ai/blob/main/fastlane/Fastfile
• Android fastfile: https://github.com/a-ghorbani/pocketpal-ai/blob/main/android/fastlane/Fastfile

1. this will create a apk release
2. bundle release (for play store)
3. uploads to play store

Perhaps that is the place needed change for fdroid.

[I-I-IT]

I am told you need to put Fastlane files like described in this link https://gitlab.com/-/snippets/1895688

[bi4key]

For now alternative is use this method:
Vali-98/ChatterUI#49 (comment)