Hi everyone,
I want to share a free, open-source utility I built to assist Construct 3 addon developers and those dealing with complex Cordova dependencies.
As we know, the official Construct 3 Build Service is excellent, but for security reasons, it maintains a strict whitelist for Cordova plugins. If you are developing a new C3 Addon that uses a custom Cordova plugin, you typically need to:
- Test locally (which might work fine because you have full control).
- Submit a whitelist request to Scirra on GitHub.
- Wait for review.
The Problem
Sometimes, a plugin works locally but fails in a strict Cloud Build environment (due to hook permission scripts, specific Gradle versions, Kotlin incompatibilities, or AndroidX conflicts). If this happens after you requested a whitelist, it wastes the Scirra team's time reviewing a broken plugin.
The Solution: Public Builder (Beta)
I created a Public, No-Sign-In build runner that has NO Whitelist restrictions.
👉 public.swaplab.net
How it helps the C3 Community:
You can use this to "Stress Test" your C3 exported project with your custom plugins in a real Cloud Environment (GitHub Actions Standard Runner).
- Export C3 project as "Cordova Project".
- Zip and upload to the Public Builder.
- If it builds successfully here, it is highly likely to be "Cloud Safe".
- Then, you can confidently submit your whitelist request to Scirra's Bug Tracker.
📺 Video Proof: Construct 3 AdMob via Capacitor Engine
Does it actually work? Here is a step-by-step video demonstrating a Construct 3 project (with AdMob Cordova plugin) being built using the Modern Capacitor Engine on the public builder:
Video Highlights:
- Export: Construct 3 → Cordova Project.
- Engine: capacitor-build-android-engine (Yes, it automatically wraps your C3/Cordova project!).
- Result: Running AdMob Ads on the Emulator.
💰 Sell Addons with Confidence
For those creating paid addons for the Construct 3 Asset Store, this tool is your safety net.
By verifying that your addon compiles correctly in a standard Linux/Docker cloud environment (similar to the official service) before listing it, you ensure your customers receive a robust product. This minimizes support tickets regarding "Build Errors" and helps you maintain a high reputation as a seller.
🔧 Tech Stack & Transparency
This runs on 100% Open Source infrastructure. You can watch the build queue and verify the workflows here:
- Public Runner: swaplab-engine/public-build-swaplab-engine
- Limits: Unlimited usage, strictly generates Debug APKs for testing.
- Privacy: Zero-retention. Files are deleted immediately after the build job triggers.
⚡ Supported Engines for C3
When you upload your
zip, you can choose 3 different Docker Images to build your game:
1. cordova-build-android-engine
2. capacitor-build-android-engine (Recommended)
- Wraps your C3 project in the CapacitorJS runtime.
- Great for modernizing your game stack or using Capacitor-specific plugins later.
- View Docker Image Source
3. framework7-build-android-engine
All Docker Packages: github.com/orgs/swaplab-engine/packages
I hope this tool helps addon developers iterate faster and reduces the "Build Error" headache when dealing with native dependencies.
Let me know if you run into any issues with specific C3 exports!
🔒 Privacy & Terms
We understand that your source code is your valuable asset. This service operates under a strict policy to ensure your intellectual property remains yours.