How can I stop CocoaPods from running "npm run ios"?

It appears you're encountering a scenario where CocoaPods, a dependency manager for Swift and Objective-C projects, is triggering the execution of "npm run ios," which is typically a command used in JavaScript-based React Native projects. This is not a standard behavior and indicates a configuration issue or a custom script integration.

Here’s a breakdown of how to address this:

1. Identify the Source of the Script Execution:

- The first step is to pinpoint where the "npm run ios" command is being called. This likely isn't a direct feature of CocoaPods itself. Instead, it could be:

- A custom CocoaPods script or hook: Examine your `Podfile` and any associated Ruby files for custom post-install hooks that might trigger the "npm run ios" command.

- A Build Phase Script in Xcode: Check the build phases of your Xcode project (e.g., "Build Phases" tab in project settings) for a Run Script phase executing the command.

- A third-party plugin: A plugin or dependency might have this behavior embedded.

2. Examine your `Podfile`:

- Open your `Podfile` and look for any `post_install` hooks, particularly those that involve shell commands or node.js related executions. Such hooks might look like this:

post_install do |installer|
  system("npm run ios")
end

3. Check Xcode Build Phases:

- In Xcode, navigate to your project's target settings, then the "Build Phases" tab. Inspect "Run Script" phases for any execution of "npm run ios". If you find one, remove or modify this script.

4. Review `package.json` in Your React Native Project:

- Sometimes, an `npm` script can indirectly cause this. Look at your React Native project's `package.json` file to see if the `ios` script is executing a hook that starts a process related to CocoaPods. However, this is less likely to be the root cause.

5. How to Stop the Command:

- Remove the Problematic Code: Once you find the source, the simplest solution is to remove or comment out the line that executes `npm run ios`. If it’s in a `post_install` hook in the `Podfile`, remove the `system("npm run ios")` line. If it’s in an Xcode build phase, remove that run script.

- Conditional Execution: If the script is essential, consider conditional execution. Check if a specific environment variable or a flag is set before executing. For instance, only execute `npm run ios` if a certain configuration is true:

post_install do |installer|
  if ENV['RUN_IOS_SCRIPT'] == 'true'
    system("npm run ios")
  end
end

- Alternative Scripts: If you’re using the script for a specific purpose (e.g., starting a bundler), consider replacing it with a more specific and targeted command using native tools.

6. Troubleshooting Steps:

- Clean Build Folder: Clean your Xcode build folder by going to "Product" -> "Clean Build Folder" after making changes.

- Delete Derived Data: Sometimes, cached settings cause issues. Delete Derived Data from "Xcode" -> "Preferences" -> "Locations", by clicking on the arrow next to the path.

- Reinstall Pods: After making changes, run `pod deintegrate && pod install` from your terminal.

By carefully examining your `Podfile`, Xcode settings, and any related scripts, you can determine why CocoaPods is triggering the `npm run ios` command and disable it effectively. Always back up your code and project settings before making changes.

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