Seven
8963f777ee
- Created a new PostCSS configuration file to integrate Tailwind CSS. - Added a skills lock file containing various Expo skills with their respective source and computed hashes.
165 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
165 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
---
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name: expo-dev-client
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description: Build and distribute Expo development clients locally or via TestFlight
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version: 1.0.0
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license: MIT
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---
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Use EAS Build to create development clients for testing native code changes on physical devices. Use this for creating custom Expo Go clients for testing branches of your app.
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## Important: When Development Clients Are Needed
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**Only create development clients when your app requires custom native code.** Most apps work fine in Expo Go.
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You need a dev client ONLY when using:
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- Local Expo modules (custom native code)
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- Apple targets (widgets, app clips, extensions)
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- Third-party native modules not in Expo Go
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**Try Expo Go first** with `npx expo start`. If everything works, you don't need a dev client.
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## EAS Configuration
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Ensure `eas.json` has a development profile:
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```json
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{
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"cli": {
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"version": ">= 16.0.1",
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"appVersionSource": "remote"
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},
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"build": {
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"production": {
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"autoIncrement": true
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},
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"development": {
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"autoIncrement": true,
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"developmentClient": true
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}
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},
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"submit": {
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"production": {},
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"development": {}
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}
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}
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```
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Key settings:
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- `developmentClient: true` - Bundles expo-dev-client for development builds
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- `autoIncrement: true` - Automatically increments build numbers
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- `appVersionSource: "remote"` - Uses EAS as the source of truth for version numbers
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## Building for TestFlight
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Build iOS dev client and submit to TestFlight in one command:
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```bash
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eas build -p ios --profile development --submit
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```
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This will:
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1. Build the development client in the cloud
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2. Automatically submit to App Store Connect
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3. Send you an email when the build is ready in TestFlight
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After receiving the TestFlight email:
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1. Download the build from TestFlight on your device
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2. Launch the app to see the expo-dev-client UI
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3. Connect to your local Metro bundler or scan a QR code
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## Building Locally
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Build a development client on your machine:
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```bash
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# iOS (requires Xcode)
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eas build -p ios --profile development --local
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# Android
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eas build -p android --profile development --local
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```
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Local builds output:
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- iOS: `.ipa` file
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- Android: `.apk` or `.aab` file
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## Installing Local Builds
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Install iOS build on simulator:
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```bash
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# Find the .app in the .tar.gz output
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tar -xzf build-*.tar.gz
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xcrun simctl install booted ./path/to/App.app
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```
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Install iOS build on device (requires signing):
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```bash
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# Use Xcode Devices window or ideviceinstaller
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ideviceinstaller -i build.ipa
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```
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Install Android build:
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```bash
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adb install build.apk
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```
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## Building for Specific Platform
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```bash
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# iOS only
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eas build -p ios --profile development
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# Android only
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eas build -p android --profile development
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# Both platforms
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eas build --profile development
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```
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## Checking Build Status
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```bash
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# List recent builds
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eas build:list
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# View build details
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eas build:view
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```
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## Using the Dev Client
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Once installed, the dev client provides:
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- **Development server connection** - Enter your Metro bundler URL or scan QR
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- **Build information** - View native build details
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- **Launcher UI** - Switch between development servers
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Connect to local development:
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```bash
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# Start Metro bundler
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npx expo start --dev-client
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# Scan QR code with dev client or enter URL manually
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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**Build fails with signing errors:**
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```bash
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eas credentials
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```
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**Clear build cache:**
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```bash
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eas build -p ios --profile development --clear-cache
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```
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**Check EAS CLI version:**
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```bash
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eas --version
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eas update
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```
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