Shared Store

Detailed explanation of the Shared Store (Shared Database sync) in TheCompanyApp.

Purpose

The Shared Store syncs with CloudKit's Shared Database, enabling:

• Multi-user access to company data

• Real-time collaboration

• Participant-level access control

What Lives in Shared Store

Entities

• Companies (shared by other users)

• All company-scoped data for shared companies:

  • InventoryItem, Orders, Dispatch, Tasks, ContactsData, etc.

• NOT UserPass (always private)

When Created

Share Acceptance:

// Participant accepts share URL
let metadata = try await container.shareMetadata(for: shareURL)
_ = try await container.accept(metadata)

// → CloudKit adds records to participant's Shared Database
// → Core Data syncs to Shared Store on participant's device

CloudKit Representation

Shared Database Zones:

• One zone per CKShare (per company shared to user)

• Zone name: Based on CKShare record ID

Record Types:

• Same as Private Store (CD_Companies, CD_InventoryItem, etc.)

• Records are copies shared from owner's Private Database

Multi-Device Sync (Participant)

Scenario: UserB accepts Company A share

1. Accept share on iPhone → CloudKit adds to Shared Database

2. Shared Database syncs to iPhone's Shared Store

3. iPad (same UserB Apple ID) polls Shared Database

4. iPad downloads Company A data → Saves to Shared Store on iPad

5. Company appears on both devices

Bi-Directional Sync

Participant Creates Order:

// Participant's device
let order = Orders(context: viewContext)
order.companyID = company.companyID
order.orderID = UUID().uuidString
// ... configure

try viewContext.save()
// → Saves to Shared Store
// → CloudKit syncs to Shared Database
// → Owner and other participants receive update

Owner Sees Change:

• Owner's device polls Shared Database (for shares they created)

• Downloads new order

• Appears in owner's view

Note: Owner continues to access company via Private Store, but CloudKit mirrors changes between Private and Shared Databases for shared records.

Store Resolution

Helper Method:

func sharedStore() -> NSPersistentStore? {
    guard let psc = persistentStoreCoordinator else { return nil }
    return psc.persistentStores.first { $0.configurationName == "Shared" }
}

Usage:

if company.objectID.persistentStore == context.sharedStore() {
    // This company is in Shared Store (you're a participant)
}

Access Permissions

Determined by:

• CKShare Permissions: "Can Edit" vs "View Only" (set by owner)

• AccessControl Entity: App-level permissions

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Related: Private Store, Sharing Flow, Ownership Rules