Expo is a powerful toolset for quickly building and deploying mobile applications using React Native. Expo CLI, the command-line interface for Expo, provides developers with a wide array of commands to manage and streamline their mobile development workflow. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamental Expo CLI commands and their functionalities.

Installation

Before diving into Expo CLI, it’s essential to have Node.js installed on your machine. You can download and install Node.js from its official website or through a package manager like npm or yarn.

Once Node.js is set up, installing Expo CLI is a breeze. Open your terminal and use the following command:

npm install -g expo-cli

This command installs Expo CLI globally on your system, allowing you to access Expo commands from any directory.

Creating a New Project

To create a new project using Expo, utilize the expo init command followed by the desired project name. For instance:

expo init my-new-project

This command initializes a new Expo project with the name “my-new-project”.

Managing Projects

Starting a Project

Once the project is created, navigate into the project directory and start the development server using:

expo start

This command launches the Expo development server, providing options to run the project on various platforms like Android, iOS, and web.

Building Standalone Apps

To build standalone apps for Android and iOS, Expo offers specific commands:

  • For Android:

    expo build:android

  • For iOS:

    expo build:ios

Publishing & Deployment

Publishing for OTA Updates

To publish your project for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, use the following command:

expo publish

This command makes your latest changes available to users who have previously installed your app via Expo.

Building a Web Version

Expo also supports building web versions of your projects. Use the following command to create a web build:

expo build:web

Other Useful Commands

  • Checking Expo CLI Version:

    expo --version

  • Generating Components or Screens:

    expo generate component ComponentName

  • Ejecting the Project:

    expo eject

Conclusion

Expo CLI offers an array of commands that streamline the development, deployment, and management of React Native applications. Whether you’re starting a new project, deploying updates, or building standalone apps, Expo CLI provides a seamless experience for mobile app development.Explore the Expo documentation for more advanced commands and features, and leverage Expo CLI to accelerate your mobile development journey.