Resources
2Install
npx skillscat add daffy0208/ai-dev-standards/mobile-developer Install via the SkillsCat registry.
About this skill
This skill provides guidance on building cross‑platform mobile applications using React Native and Expo, covering app structure, navigation, native feature integration, performance optimization, and distribution. An agent or developer should use it when creating or maintaining React Native/Expo projects that require iOS and Android support.
SKILL.md
Mobile Developer Skill
I help you build cross-platform mobile apps with React Native and Expo.
What I Do
App Development:
- React Native / Expo apps (iOS + Android)
- Navigation and routing
- State management
- API integration
Native Features:
- Camera, location, notifications
- Biometric authentication
- File system access
- Device sensors
Performance:
- Optimize bundle size
- Lazy loading
- Image optimization
- Memory management
Distribution:
- App Store / Google Play submission
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Beta testing (TestFlight, internal testing)
Quick Start: Expo App
Create New App
# Create Expo app
npx create-expo-app my-app --template blank-typescript
cd my-app
# Install dependencies
npx expo install react-native-screens react-native-safe-area-context
npx expo install expo-router
# Start development
npx expo startProject Structure
my-app/
├── app/
│ ├── (tabs)/
│ │ ├── index.tsx # Home tab
│ │ ├── profile.tsx # Profile tab
│ │ └── _layout.tsx # Tab layout
│ ├── users/
│ │ └── [id].tsx # Dynamic route
│ ├── _layout.tsx # Root layout
│ └── +not-found.tsx # 404 page
├── components/
│ ├── Button.tsx
│ ├── Card.tsx
│ └── Loading.tsx
├── hooks/
│ └── useAuth.ts
├── app.json
└── package.jsonNavigation with Expo Router
Tab Navigation
// app/(tabs)/_layout.tsx
import { Tabs } from 'expo-router'
import { Ionicons } from '@expo/vector-icons'
export default function TabLayout() {
return (
<Tabs
screenOptions={{
tabBarActiveTintColor: '#007AFF',
headerShown: false
}}
>
<Tabs.Screen
name="index"
options={{
title: 'Home',
tabBarIcon: ({ color, size }) => (
<Ionicons name="home" size={size} color={color} />
)
}}
/>
<Tabs.Screen
name="profile"
options={{
title: 'Profile',
tabBarIcon: ({ color, size }) => (
<Ionicons name="person" size={size} color={color} />
)
}}
/>
</Tabs>
)
}Stack Navigation
// app/users/[id].tsx
import { useLocalSearchParams } from 'expo-router'
import { View, Text } from 'react-native'
export default function UserDetail() {
const { id } = useLocalSearchParams()
return (
<View>
<Text>User ID: {id}</Text>
</View>
)
}UI Components
Custom Button
// components/Button.tsx
import { TouchableOpacity, Text, StyleSheet, ActivityIndicator } from 'react-native'
interface ButtonProps {
title: string
onPress: () => void
variant?: 'primary' | 'secondary'
loading?: boolean
disabled?: boolean
}
export function Button({
title,
onPress,
variant = 'primary',
loading = false,
disabled = false
}: ButtonProps) {
return (
<TouchableOpacity
style={[
styles.button,
variant === 'primary' ? styles.primary : styles.secondary,
disabled && styles.disabled
]}
onPress={onPress}
disabled={disabled || loading}
activeOpacity={0.7}
>
{loading ? (
<ActivityIndicator color="#fff" />
) : (
<Text style={styles.text}>{title}</Text>
)}
</TouchableOpacity>
)
}
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
button: {
padding: 16,
borderRadius: 8,
alignItems: 'center',
justifyContent: 'center'
},
primary: {
backgroundColor: '#007AFF'
},
secondary: {
backgroundColor: '#8E8E93'
},
disabled: {
opacity: 0.5
},
text: {
color: '#fff',
fontSize: 16,
fontWeight: '600'
}
})Card Component
// components/Card.tsx
import { View, Text, StyleSheet, TouchableOpacity } from 'react-native'
import { ReactNode } from 'react'
interface CardProps {
title?: string
children: ReactNode
onPress?: () => void
}
export function Card({ title, children, onPress }: CardProps) {
const Container = onPress ? TouchableOpacity : View
return (
<Container
style={styles.card}
onPress={onPress}
activeOpacity={onPress ? 0.7 : 1}
>
{title && <Text style={styles.title}>{title}</Text>}
{children}
</Container>
)
}
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
card: {
backgroundColor: '#fff',
borderRadius: 12,
padding: 16,
shadowColor: '#000',
shadowOffset: { width: 0, height: 2 },
shadowOpacity: 0.1,
shadowRadius: 4,
elevation: 3
},
title: {
fontSize: 18,
fontWeight: '600',
marginBottom: 12
}
})Data Fetching
Custom Hook
// hooks/useQuery.ts
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'
interface UseQueryResult<T> {
data: T | null
loading: boolean
error: Error | null
refetch: () => void
}
export function useQuery<T>(url: string): UseQueryResult<T> {
const [data, setData] = useState<T | null>(null)
const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
const [error, setError] = useState<Error | null>(null)
const fetchData = async () => {
try {
setLoading(true)
const response = await fetch(url)
if (!response.ok) {
throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`)
}
const json = await response.json()
setData(json)
setError(null)
} catch (e) {
setError(e as Error)
} finally {
setLoading(false)
}
}
useEffect(() => {
fetchData()
}, [url])
return { data, loading, error, refetch: fetchData }
}Usage
// app/(tabs)/index.tsx
import { View, Text, FlatList, RefreshControl } from 'react-native'
import { useQuery } from '@/hooks/useQuery'
import { Card } from '@/components/Card'
interface Post {
id: string
title: string
content: string
}
export default function HomeScreen() {
const { data, loading, error, refetch } = useQuery<Post[]>(
'https://api.example.com/posts'
)
if (error) {
return (
<View>
<Text>Error: {error.message}</Text>
</View>
)
}
return (
<FlatList
data={data || []}
keyExtractor={(item) => item.id}
renderItem={({ item }) => (
<Card title={item.title}>
<Text>{item.content}</Text>
</Card>
)}
refreshControl={
<RefreshControl refreshing={loading} onRefresh={refetch} />
}
/>
)
}Native Features
Camera
// app/camera.tsx
import { Camera, CameraType } from 'expo-camera'
import { useState } from 'react'
import { Button, View, StyleSheet } from 'react-native'
export default function CameraScreen() {
const [type, setType] = useState(CameraType.back)
const [permission, requestPermission] = Camera.useCameraPermissions()
if (!permission) {
return <View />
}
if (!permission.granted) {
return (
<View style={styles.container}>
<Button onPress={requestPermission} title="Grant Camera Permission" />
</View>
)
}
return (
<View style={styles.container}>
<Camera style={styles.camera} type={type}>
<View style={styles.buttonContainer}>
<Button
onPress={() => {
setType(current =>
current === CameraType.back
? CameraType.front
: CameraType.back
)
}}
title="Flip Camera"
/>
</View>
</Camera>
</View>
)
}
const styles = StyleSheet.create({
container: { flex: 1 },
camera: { flex: 1 },
buttonContainer: {
flex: 1,
backgroundColor: 'transparent',
justifyContent: 'flex-end',
padding: 20
}
})Push Notifications
// hooks/useNotifications.ts
import { useState, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
import * as Notifications from 'expo-notifications'
import * as Device from 'expo-device'
import { Platform } from 'react-native'
Notifications.setNotificationHandler({
handleNotification: async () => ({
shouldShowAlert: true,
shouldPlaySound: false,
shouldSetBadge: false
})
})
export function useNotifications() {
const [expoPushToken, setExpoPushToken] = useState('')
const notificationListener = useRef<Notifications.Subscription>()
const responseListener = useRef<Notifications.Subscription>()
useEffect(() => {
registerForPushNotificationsAsync().then(token => setExpoPushToken(token || ''))
notificationListener.current = Notifications.addNotificationReceivedListener(notification => {
console.log('Notification received:', notification)
})
responseListener.current = Notifications.addNotificationResponseReceivedListener(response => {
console.log('Notification clicked:', response)
})
return () => {
Notifications.removeNotificationSubscription(notificationListener.current!)
Notifications.removeNotificationSubscription(responseListener.current!)
}
}, [])
return { expoPushToken }
}
async function registerForPushNotificationsAsync() {
let token
if (Platform.OS === 'android') {
await Notifications.setNotificationChannelAsync('default', {
name: 'default',
importance: Notifications.AndroidImportance.MAX,
vibrationPattern: [0, 250, 250, 250],
lightColor: '#FF231F7C'
})
}
if (Device.isDevice) {
const { status: existingStatus } = await Notifications.getPermissionsAsync()
let finalStatus = existingStatus
if (existingStatus !== 'granted') {
const { status } = await Notifications.requestPermissionsAsync()
finalStatus = status
}
if (finalStatus !== 'granted') {
alert('Failed to get push token for push notification!')
return
}
token = (await Notifications.getExpoPushTokenAsync()).data
} else {
alert('Must use physical device for Push Notifications')
}
return token
}Location
// hooks/useLocation.ts
import { useState, useEffect } from 'react'
import * as Location from 'expo-location'
export function useLocation() {
const [location, setLocation] = useState<Location.LocationObject | null>(null)
const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)
useEffect(() => {
;(async () => {
const { status } = await Location.requestForegroundPermissionsAsync()
if (status !== 'granted') {
setError('Permission to access location was denied')
return
}
const location = await Location.getCurrentPositionAsync({})
setLocation(location)
})()
}, [])
return { location, error }
}State Management
Zustand (Recommended)
// store/auth.ts
import { create } from 'zustand'
interface User {
id: string
email: string
name: string
}
interface AuthStore {
user: User | null
token: string | null
login: (email: string, password: string) => Promise<void>
logout: () => void
}
export const useAuthStore = create<AuthStore>(set => ({
user: null,
token: null,
login: async (email, password) => {
const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/auth/login', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
body: JSON.stringify({ email, password })
})
const { user, token } = await response.json()
set({ user, token })
},
logout: () => {
set({ user: null, token: null })
}
}))Usage:
// app/login.tsx
import { useState } from 'react'
import { View, TextInput } from 'react-native'
import { useAuthStore } from '@/store/auth'
import { Button } from '@/components/Button'
export default function LoginScreen() {
const [email, setEmail] = useState('')
const [password, setPassword] = useState('')
const login = useAuthStore(state => state.login)
return (
<View>
<TextInput
placeholder="Email"
value={email}
onChangeText={setEmail}
autoCapitalize="none"
/>
<TextInput
placeholder="Password"
value={password}
onChangeText={setPassword}
secureTextEntry
/>
<Button
title="Login"
onPress={() => login(email, password)}
/>
</View>
)
}Performance Optimization
Image Optimization
// components/OptimizedImage.tsx
import { Image } from 'expo-image'
import { StyleSheet } from 'react-native'
interface OptimizedImageProps {
uri: string
width: number
height: number
}
export function OptimizedImage({ uri, width, height }: OptimizedImageProps) {
return (
<Image
source={{ uri }}
style={{ width, height }}
contentFit="cover"
transition={200}
cachePolicy="memory-disk"
placeholder={require('@/assets/placeholder.png')}
/>
)
}Lazy Loading
// app/(tabs)/index.tsx
import { lazy, Suspense } from 'react'
import { View, ActivityIndicator } from 'react-native'
const HeavyComponent = lazy(() => import('@/components/HeavyComponent'))
export default function HomeScreen() {
return (
<View>
<Suspense fallback={<ActivityIndicator />}>
<HeavyComponent />
</Suspense>
</View>
)
}List Optimization
import { FlashList } from '@shopify/flash-list'
export default function OptimizedList({ data }) {
return (
<FlashList
data={data}
renderItem={({ item }) => <Card>{item.title}</Card>}
estimatedItemSize={100}
keyExtractor={(item) => item.id}
/>
)
}App Configuration
app.json
{
"expo": {
"name": "My App",
"slug": "my-app",
"version": "1.0.0",
"orientation": "portrait",
"icon": "./assets/icon.png",
"userInterfaceStyle": "automatic",
"splash": {
"image": "./assets/splash.png",
"resizeMode": "contain",
"backgroundColor": "#ffffff"
},
"ios": {
"supportsTablet": true,
"bundleIdentifier": "com.yourcompany.myapp",
"buildNumber": "1"
},
"android": {
"adaptiveIcon": {
"foregroundImage": "./assets/adaptive-icon.png",
"backgroundColor": "#ffffff"
},
"package": "com.yourcompany.myapp",
"versionCode": 1,
"permissions": ["CAMERA", "ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION", "NOTIFICATIONS"]
},
"plugins": [
"expo-router",
[
"expo-camera",
{
"cameraPermission": "Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to access your camera"
}
],
[
"expo-location",
{
"locationAlwaysAndWhenInUsePermission": "Allow $(PRODUCT_NAME) to use your location."
}
]
]
}
}Building and Deploying
Build for iOS
# Install EAS CLI
npm install -g eas-cli
# Login
eas login
# Configure build
eas build:configure
# Build for iOS
eas build --platform ios
# Submit to App Store
eas submit --platform iosBuild for Android
# Build for Android
eas build --platform android
# Submit to Google Play
eas submit --platform androidOver-the-Air (OTA) Updates
# Create update
eas update --branch production --message "Bug fixes"
# Users get update automatically (no app store review)Testing
Jest + React Native Testing Library
// __tests__/Button.test.tsx
import { render, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react-native'
import { Button } from '@/components/Button'
describe('Button', () => {
it('calls onPress when pressed', () => {
const onPress = jest.fn()
const { getByText } = render(<Button title="Click me" onPress={onPress} />)
fireEvent.press(getByText('Click me'))
expect(onPress).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
})
it('shows loading indicator when loading', () => {
const { getByTestId } = render(
<Button title="Click me" onPress={() => {}} loading />
)
expect(getByTestId('loading-indicator')).toBeTruthy()
})
})Common Patterns
Protected Routes
// app/_layout.tsx
import { useEffect } from 'react'
import { useRouter, Slot } from 'expo-router'
import { useAuthStore } from '@/store/auth'
export default function RootLayout() {
const router = useRouter()
const user = useAuthStore(state => state.user)
useEffect(() => {
if (!user) {
router.replace('/login')
}
}, [user])
return <Slot />
}Form Handling
// hooks/useForm.ts
import { useState } from 'react'
export function useForm<T>(initialValues: T) {
const [values, setValues] = useState<T>(initialValues)
const [errors, setErrors] = useState<Partial<Record<keyof T, string>>>({})
const handleChange = (name: keyof T) => (value: any) => {
setValues(prev => ({ ...prev, [name]: value }))
setErrors(prev => ({ ...prev, [name]: undefined }))
}
const validate = (rules: Partial<Record<keyof T, (value: any) => string | undefined>>) => {
const newErrors: Partial<Record<keyof T, string>> = {}
Object.keys(rules).forEach(key => {
const error = rules[key as keyof T]?.(values[key as keyof T])
if (error) {
newErrors[key as keyof T] = error
}
})
setErrors(newErrors)
return Object.keys(newErrors).length === 0
}
return { values, errors, handleChange, validate }
}When to Use Me
Perfect for:
- Building iOS + Android apps from one codebase
- Rapid mobile prototyping
- Apps with native features (camera, location, push)
- Cross-platform mobile development
I'll help you:
- Set up React Native / Expo projects
- Implement navigation
- Integrate native features
- Optimize performance
- Submit to app stores
What I'll Create
📱 Cross-Platform Apps
🧭 Navigation Systems
📸 Camera Integration
📍 Location Services
🔔 Push Notifications
🚀 App Store SubmissionsLet's build amazing mobile experiences!