Expo setup

Learn to create a React Native project with Expo CLI.

Expo setup

To start a new Expo project, you run npx create-expo-app my-app in the terminal. This command creates a folder named my-app and places all the initial project files inside it.

Once installation finishes, you change into the folder with cd my-app and start the development server with npx expo start. Expo manages dependencies automatically; you do not need Android Studio or Xcode.

This approach is the fastest way to get started with React Native.

Development server

The npx expo start command starts a development server. A QR code appears in the terminal; you scan it with Expo Go to open the app on your phone.

While the server runs, every change you save is reflected on the phone instantly. This fast feedback loop makes React Native development enjoyable.

In the terminal, you can press r to reload the app or j to open it in a browser.

Exercise Write the App skeleton

Write a component named App. Its return statement should return <View> containing <Text>Hello</Text>.

Show example solution

function App() {
  return (
    <View>
      <Text>Hello</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

Test yourself

Which command starts a new Expo project?
- npx create-expo-app
- npm run expo
- expo new project
- react-native init expo
Show answer

npx create-expo-app — npx create-expo-app creates a new project.
Match the files

App.js

Entry component
package.json

Dependencies
app.json

Configuration
assets

Image resources

Starting the server

To start the development server: npx ____ start

Show answer

To start the development server: npx expo start

Next lesson: Your first component

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