Scaling iOS CI with Anka - Shopify

This post details the transition of Shopify's iOS CI/CD infrastructure from a VMware ESXi-based system to a new solution leveraging Anka virtualization on Mac Minis. It outlines the challenges of macOS virtualization, the limitations of cloud providers, the maintenance burden of the previous system, and the performance issues with shared storage. The new system utilizes Anka's Docker-like CLI for lightweight macOS VMs, runs on local storage of cost-effective Mac Minis, and employs a layered image management approach for efficient distribution. Builds are orchestrated by Buildkite, with a focus on disposable build environments and improved boot times. The system is deployed across two data centers for resiliency.