- Install Expo CLI with npm i -g expo-cli
- Install Node dependencies with npm i
- Run the app with npm start
You will need Node (v12.18.3) and NPM (v6.14.6) installed. Other versions may work, but try switching to these exact versions if you run into issues.
You should familiarise yourself with these technologies to understand what they contribute to the overall solution and how best to overcome future issues. If in doubt, please read the documentation.
For day-to-day development and debugging, you will want to...
- Install XCode (for iOS Simulator)
- Install Android Studio (for Android Studio)
- Install React Native Debugger
- You can also debug live on your iOS or Android phone using the Expo App.
React Native Debugger is extremely useful as it includes Chrome DevTools, React DevTools and Redux DevTools. Just be aware that you need to be running on port 19001 (cmd+T), and right-click to Enable Network Inspect.
Read the documentation carefully as it contains lots of useful tips and tricks to boost efficiency and avoid issues.
Sometimes the app content may cache unbearably during development, even regressing to an older version of the app. To clear the cache, try the following (one at a time, until the problem is resolved)...
Run expo start -c. Quit and restart React Native Debugger. Switch to publish mode in the Metro Bundler browser tab, refresh, switch back and refresh again. In iOS Simulator, go to Hardware > Erase All Content and Settings... Additionally, you may find a daily restart of your workstation beneficial.