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Natal

Bootstrap ClojureScript-based React Native apps

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 who created Ambly and the documentation on setting up a ClojureScript React Native app.

Usage

First, install the CLI using npm:

$ npm install -g natal

Then run natal with your app's name as the first argument:

$ natal FutureApp

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

When Xcode appears, click the play button to run the app on the simulator.

Then run the following for an interactive workflow:

$ cd future-app
$ ./start.sh

First, choose the correct device (Probably [1]). At the REPL prompt type this:

(in-ns 'future-app.core)

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

Try this command as an example:

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

When the REPL starts 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

Natal requires npm, Leiningen, and CocoaPods to be installed
Having rlwrap installed is optional but 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 in Ambly for details
Running multiple React Native apps at once can cause problems

Aspirations

Automatic wrapping of all React Native component functions for ClojureScript
Xcode-free development with CLI tools
Automatically run React packager in background
Automatically tail cljs build log and report compile errors
Templates for other ClojureScript React wrappers

Contributions are welcome.