# Natal
### Bootstrap ClojureScript-based React Native apps
[Dan Motzenbecker](http://oxism.com), MIT License
[@dcmotz](https://twitter.com/dcmotz)

---

Natal is a simple command-line utility that automates most of the process of
setting up a React Native app running on ClojureScript.

It stands firmly on the shoulders of giants, specifically those of
[Mike Fikes](http://blog.fikesfarm.com) who created
[Ambly](https://github.com/omcljs/ambly) and the
[documentation](http://cljsrn.org/ambly.html)
on setting up a ClojureScript React Native app.


## Usage

Before getting started, make sure you have the
[required dependencies](#dependencies) installed.

Then, install the CLI using npm:

```
$ npm install -g natal
```

To bootstrap a new app, run `natal init` with your app's name as an argument:

```
$ natal init FutureApp
```

If your app's name is more than a single word, be sure to type it in CamelCase.
A corresponding hyphenated Clojure namespace will be created.

If all goes well your app should compile and boot in the simulator.

From there you can begin an interactive workflow by starting the REPL.

```
$ cd future-app
$ natal repl
```

Choose your app from the list the REPL outputs (probably `1`) so Ambly can connect.

At the prompt, try loading your app's namespace:

```clojure
(in-ns 'future-app.core)
```

Changes you make via the REPL or by changing your `.cljs` files should appear live
in the simulator.

Try this command as an example:

```clojure
(swap! app-state assoc :text "Hello Native World")
```

When the REPL connects to the simulator it will print the location of its
compilation log. It's useful to tail it to see any errors, like so:

```
$ tail -f /Volumes/Ambly-81C53995/watch.log
```


## Tips
- Having `rlwrap` installed is optional but highly recommended since it makes
the REPL a much nicer experience with arrow keys.

- Don't press ⌘-R in the simulator; code changes should be reflected automatically.
See [this issue](https://github.com/omcljs/ambly/issues/97) in Ambly for details.

- Running multiple React Native apps at once can cause problems with the React
Packager so try to avoid doing so.

- You can launch your app on the simulator without opening Xcode by running
`natal launch` in your app's root directory.

- By default new Natal projects will launch on the iPhone 6 simulator. To change
which device `natal launch` uses, you can run `natal listdevices` to see a list
of available simulators, then select one by running `natal setdevice` with the
index of the device on the list.

- To change advanced settings run `natal xcode` to quickly open the Xcode project.

- The Xcode-free workflow is for convenience. If you're encountering app crashes,
you should open the Xcode project and run it from there to view errors.


## Dependencies
As Natal is the orchestration of many individual tools, there are quite a few dependencies.
If you've previously done React Native or Clojure development, you should hopefully
have most installed already. Platform dependencies are listed under their respective
tools.

- [npm](https://www.npmjs.com) `>=1.4`
    - [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) `>=4.0.0`
- [Leiningen](http://leiningen.org) `>=2.5.3`
    - [Java 8](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html)
- [CocoaPods](https://cocoapods.org) `>=0.38.2`
    - [Ruby](https://www.ruby-lang.org) `>=2.0.0`
- [Xcode](https://developer.apple.com/xcode) (+ Command Line Tools) `>=6.3`
    - [OS X](http://www.apple.com/osx) `>=10.10`
- [Watchman](https://facebook.github.io/watchman) `>=3.7.0`


## Aspirations
- [x] Xcode-free workflow with CLI tools
- [ ] Automatic wrapping of all React Native component functions for ClojureScript
- [ ] Automatically run React packager in background
- [ ] Automatically tail cljs build log and report compile errors
- [ ] Templates for other ClojureScript React wrappers
- [ ] Working dev tools
- [ ] Automatic bundling for offline device usage and App Store distribution
- [ ] Android support


Contributions are welcome.

For more ClojureScript React Native resources visit [cljsrn.org](http://cljsrn.org).