react-native/docs/GettingStarted.md

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Welcome to React Native! This page will help you install React Native on your system, so that you can build apps with it right away. If you already have React Native installed, you can skip ahead to the Tutorial.

The instructions are a bit different depending on your development operating system, and whether you want to start developing for iOS or Android. If you want to develop for both iOS and Android, that's fine - you just have to pick one to start with, since the setup is a bit different.

Mobile OS: iOS Android Development OS: macOS Linux Windows

Unsupported

Unfortunately, Apple only lets you develop for iOS on a Mac. If you want to build an iOS app but you don't have a Mac yet, you can try starting with the Android instructions instead.

Installing Dependencies

You will need Node, Watchman, the React Native command line interface, and Xcode.

Installing Dependencies

You will need Node, Watchman, the React Native command line interface, a JDK, and Android Studio.

Installing Dependencies

You will need Node, the React Native command line interface, a JDK, and Android Studio.

Installing Dependencies

You will need Node, the React Native command line interface, Python2, a JDK, and Android Studio.

Node, Watchman

We recommend installing Node and Watchman using Homebrew. Run the following commands in a Terminal after installing Homebrew:

brew install node
brew install watchman

If you have already installed Node on your system, make sure it is version 4 or newer.

Watchman is a tool by Facebook for watching changes in the filesystem. It is highly recommended you install it for better performance.

Node

Follow the installation instructions for your Linux distribution to install Node 4 or newer.

Node, Python2, JDK

We recommend installing Node and Python2 via Chocolatey, a popular package manager for Windows.

Android Studio, which we will install next, requires a recent version of the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) which can be installed using Chocolatey.

Open a Command Prompt as Administrator, then run:

choco install nodejs.install
choco install python2
choco install jdk8

If you have already installed Node on your system, make sure it is version 4 or newer. If you already have a JDK on your system, make sure it is version 8 or newer.

You can find additional installation options on Node.js's Downloads page.

The React Native CLI

Node comes with npm, which lets you install the React Native command line interface.

Run the following command in a Terminal:

npm install -g react-native-cli

If you get an error like Cannot find module 'npmlog', try installing npm directly: curl -0 -L https://npmjs.org/install.sh | sudo sh.

The React Native CLI

Node comes with npm, which lets you install the React Native command line interface.

Run the following command in a Terminal:

npm install -g react-native-cli

If you get an error like Cannot find module 'npmlog', try installing npm directly: curl -0 -L https://npmjs.org/install.sh | sudo sh.

Xcode

The easiest way to install Xcode is via the Mac App Store. Installing Xcode will also install the iOS Simulator and all the necessary tools to build your iOS app.

If you have already installed Xcode on your system, make sure it is version 8 or higher.

You will also need to install the Xcode Command Line Tools. Open Xcode, then choose "Preferences..." from the Xcode menu. Go to the Locations panel and install the tools by selecting the most recent version in the Command Line Tools dropdown.

Android Development Environment

Setting up your development environment can be somewhat tedious if you're new to Android development. If you're already familiar with Android development, there are a few things you may need to configure. In either case, please make sure to carefully follow the next few steps.

Android Studio requires a recent version of the Java SE Development Kit (JDK). Go ahead and install JDK 8 or newer if needed.

1. Download and install Android Studio

Android Studio provides the Android SDK and AVD (emulator) required to run and test your React Native apps. Download Android Studio, then follow the installation instructions. Choose Custom installation when prompted by the Setup Wizard, and proceed to the next step.

2. Install the AVD and HAXM

Android Virtual Devices allow you to run Android apps on your computer without the need for an actual Android phone or tablet. Choose Custom installation when running Android Studio for the first time. Make sure the boxes next to all of the following are checked:

• Android SDK
• Android SDK Platform
• Performance (Intel ® HAXM)
• Android Virtual Device

Then, click "Next" to install all of these components.

If you've already installed Android Studio before, you can still install HAXM without performing a custom installation.

2. Install the AVD and configure VM acceleration

Android Virtual Devices allow you to run Android apps on your computer without the need for an actual Android phone or tablet. Choose Custom installation when running Android Studio for the first time. Make sure the boxes next to all of the following are checked:

• Android SDK
• Android SDK Platform
• Android Virtual Device

Click "Next" to install all of these components, then configure VM acceleration on your system.

3. Install the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) SDK

Android Studio installs the most recent Android SDK by default. React Native, however, requires the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) SDK. To install it, launch the SDK Manager, click on "Configure" > "SDK Manager" in the "Welcome to Android Studio" screen.

The SDK Manager can also be found within the Android Studio "Preferences" menu, under Appearance & Behavior → System Settings → Android SDK.

Select the "SDK Platforms" tab from within the SDK Manager, then check the box next to "Show Package Details" in the bottom right corner. Look for and expand the Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) entry, then make sure the following items are all checked:

• Google APIs
• Android SDK Platform 23
• Intel x86 Atom_64 System Image
• Google APIs Intel x86 Atom_64 System Image

Next, select the "SDK Tools" tab and check the box next to "Show Package Details" here as well. Look for and expand the "Android SDK Build Tools" entry, then make sure that Android SDK Build-Tools 23.0.1 is selected.

Finally, click "Apply" to download and install the Android SDK and related build tools.

4. Set up the ANDROID_HOME environment variable

The React Native command line interface requires the ANDROID_HOME environment variable to be set up.

Add the following lines to your ~/.profile (or equivalent) config file:

export ANDROID_HOME=${HOME}/Library/Android/sdk
export PATH=${PATH}:${ANDROID_HOME}/tools
export PATH=${PATH}:${ANDROID_HOME}/platform-tools

Type source ~/.profile to load the config into your current shell.

Please make sure you export the correct path for ANDROID_HOME. If you installed the Android SDK using Homebrew, it would be located at /usr/local/opt/android-sdk.

Add the following lines to your ~/.profile (or equivalent) config file:

export ANDROID_HOME=${HOME}/Android/Sdk
export PATH=${PATH}:${ANDROID_HOME}/tools
export PATH=${PATH}:${ANDROID_HOME}/platform-tools

Type source ~/.profile to load the config into your current shell.

Please make sure you export the correct path for ANDROID_HOME if you did not install the Android SDK using Android Studio.

Go to Control Panel → System and Security → System → Change settings → Advanced System Settings → Environment variables → New, then enter the path to your Android SDK.

Restart the Command Prompt to apply the new environment variable.

Please make sure you export the correct path for ANDROID_HOME if you did not install the Android SDK using Android Studio.

Watchman (optional)

Follow the Watchman installation guide to compile and install Watchman from source.

Watchman is a tool by Facebook for watching changes in the filesystem. It is highly recommended you install it for better performance, but it's alright to skip this if you find the process to be tedious.

Starting the Android Virtual Device

You can see the list of available AVDs by opening the "AVD Manager" from within Android Studio. You can also run the following command in a terminal:

android avd

Once in the "AVD Manager", select your AVD and click "Edit...". Choose "Android 6.0 - API Level 23" under Device, and "Intel Atom (x86_64)" under CPU/ABI. Click OK, then select your new AVD and click "Start...", and finally, "Launch".

It is very common to run into an issue where Android Studio fails to create a default AVD. You may follow the Android Studio User Guide to create a new AVD manually if needed.

Using a real device

If you have a physical Android device, you can use it for development in place of an AVD. Plug it in to your computer using a USB cable and enable USB debugging before proceeding to the next step.

Testing your React Native Installation

Use the React Native command line interface to generate a new React Native project called "AwesomeProject", then run react-native run-ios inside the newly created folder.

react-native init AwesomeProject
cd AwesomeProject
react-native run-ios

You should see your new app running in the iOS Simulator shortly.

react-native run-ios is just one way to run your app. You can also run it directly from within Xcode or Nuclide.

Use the React Native command line interface to generate a new React Native project called "AwesomeProject", then run react-native run-android inside the newly created folder:

react-native init AwesomeProject
cd AwesomeProject
react-native run-android

If everything is set up correctly, you should see your new app running in your Android emulator shortly.

react-native run-android is just one way to run your app - you can also run it directly from within Android Studio or Nuclide.

Modifying your app

Now that you have successfully run the app, let's modify it.

• Open index.ios.js in your text editor of choice and edit some lines.
• Hit Command⌘ + R in your iOS Simulator to reload the app and see your change!

• Open index.android.js in your text editor of choice and edit some lines.
• Press the R key twice or select Reload from the Developer Menu to see your change!

That's it!

Congratulations! You've successfully run and modified your first React Native app.

Testing your React Native Installation

Use the React Native command line interface to generate a new React Native project called "AwesomeProject", then run react-native start inside the newly created folder to start the packager.

react-native init AwesomeProject
cd AwesomeProject
react-native start

Open a new command prompt and run react-native run-android inside the same folder to launch the app on your Android emulator.

react-native run-android

Testing your React Native Installation

Use the React Native command line interface to generate a new React Native project called "AwesomeProject", then run react-native run-android inside the newly created folder.

react-native init AwesomeProject
cd AwesomeProject
react-native run-android

If everything is set up correctly, you should see your new app running in your Android emulator shortly.

Modifying your app

Now that you have successfully run the app, let's modify it.

• Open index.android.js in your text editor of choice and edit some lines.
• Press the R key twice or select Reload from the Developer Menu to see your change!

That's it!

Congratulations! You've successfully run and modified a React Native app.

Now What?

• If you want to add this new React Native code to an existing application, check out the Integration guide.

• If you can't get this to work, see the Troubleshooting page.

• If you're curious to learn more about React Native, continue on to the Tutorial.

Now What?

• If you want to add this new React Native code to an existing application, check out the Integration guide.

• If you can't get this to work, see the Troubleshooting page.

• If you're curious to learn more about React Native, continue on to the Tutorial.