VsTac task failed, could not find file appAsTgz.tgz when using global Cordova toolset

When I use my globally installed Cordova 7.1.0 toolset and do an iOS remote build (to simulator or to Local Device), I almost immediately get the error message:

Error   MSB4018 The "VsTac" task failed unexpectedly.
System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not find file 'C:\Users\joe\AppData\Local\Temp\appAsTgz.tgz'.
File name: 'C:\Users\joe\AppData\Local\Temp\appAsTgz.tgz'
   at System.IO.__Error.WinIOError(Int32 errorCode, String maybeFullPath)
   at System.IO.FileStream.Init(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, Int32 rights, Boolean useRights, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, SECURITY_ATTRIBUTES secAttrs, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy, Boolean useLongPath, Boolean checkHost)
   at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode, FileAccess access, FileShare share, Int32 bufferSize, FileOptions options, String msgPath, Boolean bFromProxy)
   at System.IO.FileStream..ctor(String path, FileMode mode)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.MultiDeviceHybridApps.MdaBuildTasks.RemoteBuild.AppAsTgzStream(String changeTimeFile, JObject lastChangeTimesMap)
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.MultiDeviceHybridApps.MdaBuildTasks.RemoteBuild.Build()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.MultiDeviceHybridApps.MdaBuildTasks.VsTac.BuildPlatform()
   at Microsoft.VisualStudio.MultiDeviceHybridApps.MdaBuildTasks.VsTac.Execute()
   at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskExecutionHost.Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.ITaskExecutionHost.Execute()
   at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteInstantiatedTask>d__26.MoveNext() MyFleetGoTest   C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\2017\Professional\MSBuild\Microsoft\VisualStudio\v15.0\ApacheCordovaTools\vs-mda-targets\Microsoft.MDA.FileMirroring.targets 256

I can do iOS and Android browser builds. I can change the toolset to <vs:toolsetVersion>6.3.1</vs:toolsetVersion> and the error goes away and the message succeeds.

Is it possible to use the global Cordova 7.1.0 install instead of the VS TACO 6.3.1 toolset and get working iOS remote builds? This is with Visual Studio 2017.

Solution

Latest way to compile for iOS using Cordova and Visual Studio 2017 (15.5)

In Mac OS:

Install Xcode 9.*
Install Node.JS 6.*. (https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v6.x/) - Newer NPM version doesn't work for now.
Install Xcode components via terminal: xcode-select -–install
Install "remotebuild" Microsoft tool for remote compile from Visual Studio (Windows): sudo npm install -g remotebuild
Install COCOA Pods (needed by newer Cordova 7.1.0): sudo gem install cocoapods
Setup COCOA Pods for your first use just running command (about 680 MB to download): pod setup

- Set permissions:

sudo chown -R $USER:$GROUP ~/.npm

sudo chown -R $USER:$GROUP ~/.config

Start remotebuild to start listen: remotebuild

In Windows:

Install newer Visual Studio 2017 (15.5)...
Install Node.JS 6.*. (https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v6.x/) - Newer NPM version doesn't work for now.
Install Global Cordova version (compatible with newer platforms and iOS versions): npm install -g cordova
Until now the VS 2017 has a bug (https://developercommunity.visualstudio.com/content/problem/94814/vs-153-cordova-cannot-use-global-cordova-anymore.html) when Cordova project loads the VS force set to use Cordova Toolset 6.3.1. To solve it (workaround):
- Change the follow line in config.xml (open using xml editor):

From

<vs:toolsetVersion>6.3.1</vs:toolsetVersion>

<vs:toolsetVersion>GlobalCordovaVersion</vs:toolsetVersion>

Remove the follow lines from config.xml (open using xml editor):

<engine name="android" spec="5.2.1" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<engine name="ios" spec="4.2.0" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<engine name="windows" spec="4.4.2" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

<preference name="windows-target-version" value="10.0" /> //if the file has another line with a newer version

Setup Visual Studio (Tools > Options > Tools For Apache Cordova) with the config generated by remotebuild (running in Mac OS). Screen example: Remote Agent Output
- Tip: Try a ping before configure. If you have a problem, use IP instead computer name.
Build. You can locate your *.ipa file in bin\iOS\Debug folder.