EAS Build
- React Native course
- Advanced
- Lesson 73/83
- 5 min
Learn cloud builds with EAS Build.
What is EAS Build?
EAS Build is Expo's cloud build service. It produces APK, AAB and IPA files in the cloud without installing Android Studio or Xcode. It runs through the eas-cli tool; to start a build you run eas build --platform android.
The build runs on Expo servers; your computer is not strained. The output is downloaded through a URL. Cloud builds help your team get the same output and reduce the "works on my machine" problem.
The eas build command
The eas build command starts a build. You pick the target with --platform android or --platform ios. You choose a profile from eas.json with --profile production.
When the build finishes Expo sends a URL; you download the output from there. The first build can take a few minutes; later builds speed up thanks to caching. The profile also decides which signing key is used.
Practice Write your first eas.json profile
Write an eas.json skeleton. The root object holds a "build" section. Inside it define a profile named "preview"; this profile carries an "android" object.
Starter code
{
// add build profiles here
}Sample solution
{
"build": {
"preview": {
"android": {
"buildType": "apk"
}
}
}
}Questions and answers
Review the lesson questions together with their answers. To test yourself, solve the lesson interactively.
1 What does EAS Build provide at its core?
eas build --platform android- Copying a database
- Opening a local emulator
- Taking a screenshot
- Cloud build Correct answer
Explanation: EAS Build runs a build in the cloud; no local setup needed.
2 Complete the build command
eas ____ --platform androideas build --platform androidExplanation: The eas build command starts a build.
3 Match each piece to its role
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
eas build |
Cloud build |
--platform |
Target OS |
android |
APK or AAB |
ios |
IPA output |