expo-dev-client
Build and distribute Expo dev clients locally or via TestFlight
Developer Setup
Setup & Installation
npx skills add https://github.com/expo/skills --skill expo-dev-clientnpx skills add https://github.com/expo/skills --skill expo-dev-clientOverview
What This Skill Does
expo-dev-client lets you build custom Expo development clients that include native code not supported by standard Expo Go. You can build them locally or in the cloud via EAS Build, then install on physical devices or simulators for testing.
Application
When to use this Skill
- Configuring integration settings for custom agent workflows.
- Optimizing query execution and response latency in production.
- Developing clean, standard-compliant implementations for enterprise services.
- Troubleshooting connection timeouts and authentication handshakes.
- Monitoring API rate limits and execution pipelines programmatically.
Documentation
Show Skills.md file
Use EAS Build to create development clients for testing native code changes on physical devices. Use this for creating custom Expo Go clients for testing branches of your app.
Important: When Development Clients Are Needed
Only create development clients when your app requires custom native code. Most apps work fine in Expo Go.
You need a dev client ONLY when using:
- Local Expo modules (custom native code)
- Apple targets (widgets, app clips, extensions)
- Third-party native modules not in Expo Go
Try Expo Go first with npx expo start. If everything works, you don't need a dev client.
EAS Configuration
Ensure eas.json has a development profile:
{
"cli": {
"version": ">= 16.0.1",
"appVersionSource": "remote"
},
"build": {
"production": {
"autoIncrement": true
},
"development": {
"autoIncrement": true,
"developmentClient": true
}
},
"submit": {
"production": {},
"development": {}
}
}
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