callstackincubator/upgrading-react-native
skills/upgrading-react-native/SKILL.md
Upgrades React Native apps to newer versions by applying rn-diff-purge template diffs, updating package.json dependencies, migrating native iOS and Android configuration, resolving CocoaPods and Gradle changes, and handling breaking API updates. Use when upgrading React Native, bumping RN version, updating from RN 0.x to 0.y, or migrating Expo SDK alongside a React Native upgrade.
$ install --global
skillsauthnpx skillsauth add callstackincubator/agent-skills upgrading-react-nativeInstall this skill globally with one command. Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
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Last scanned: May 26, 2026, 4:23 AM30.7s9 files scanned
SKILL.md
- name:
- upgrading-react-native
- description:
- Upgrades React Native apps to newer versions by applying rn-diff-purge template diffs, updating package.json dependencies, migrating native iOS and Android configuration, resolving CocoaPods and Gradle changes, and handling breaking API updates. Use when upgrading React Native, bumping RN version, updating from RN 0.x to 0.y, or migrating Expo SDK alongside a React Native upgrade.
- license:
- MIT
- author:
- Callstack
- tags:
- react-native, upgrade, upgrade-helper, npm, changelog, cocoapods, ios, android
Upgrading React Native
Overview
Covers the full React Native upgrade workflow: template diffs via Upgrade Helper, dependency updates, Expo SDK steps, and common pitfalls.
Typical Upgrade Sequence
- Route: Choose the right upgrade path via upgrading-react-native.md
- Diff: Fetch the canonical template diff using Upgrade Helper via upgrade-helper-core.md
- Dependencies: Assess and update third-party packages via upgrading-dependencies.md
- React: Align React version if upgraded via react.md
- Expo (if applicable): Apply Expo SDK layer via expo-sdk-upgrade.md
- Verify: Run post-upgrade checks via upgrade-verification.md
# Quick start: detect current version and fetch diff
npm pkg get dependencies.react-native --prefix "$APP_DIR"
npm view react-native dist-tags.latest
# Example: upgrading from 0.76.9 to 0.78.2
# 1. Fetch the template diff
curl -L -f -o /tmp/rn-diff.diff \
"https://raw.githubusercontent.com/react-native-community/rn-diff-purge/diffs/diffs/0.76.9..0.78.2.diff" \
&& echo "Diff downloaded OK" || echo "ERROR: diff not found, check versions"
# 2. Review changed files
grep -n "^diff --git" /tmp/rn-diff.diff
# 3. Update package.json, apply native changes, then install + rebuild
npm install --prefix "$APP_DIR"
cd "$APP_DIR/ios" && pod install
# 4. Validate: both platforms must build successfully
npx react-native build-android --mode debug --no-packager
xcodebuild -workspace "$APP_DIR/ios/App.xcworkspace" -scheme App -sdk iphonesimulator build
When to Apply
Reference these guidelines when:
- Moving a React Native app to a newer version
- Reconciling native config changes from Upgrade Helper
- Validating release notes for breaking changes
Quick Reference
| File | Description | |------|-------------| | upgrading-react-native.md | Router: choose the right upgrade path | | upgrade-helper-core.md | Core Upgrade Helper workflow and reliability gates | | upgrading-dependencies.md | Dependency compatibility checks and migration planning | | react.md | React and React 19 upgrade alignment rules | | expo-sdk-upgrade.md | Expo SDK-specific upgrade layer (conditional) | | upgrade-verification.md | Post-upgrade verification checklist, including agent-device-assisted checks | | monorepo-singlerepo-targeting.md | Monorepo and single-repo app targeting and command scoping |
Problem → Skill Mapping
| Problem | Start With | |---------|------------| | Need to upgrade React Native | upgrade-helper-core.md | | Need dependency risk triage and migration options | upgrading-dependencies.md | | Need React/React 19 package alignment | react.md | | Need workflow routing first | upgrading-react-native.md | | Need Expo SDK-specific steps | expo-sdk-upgrade.md | | Need manual or agent-assisted regression validation | upgrade-verification.md | | Need repo/app command scoping | monorepo-singlerepo-targeting.md |
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