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.
npx 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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Covers the full React Native upgrade workflow: template diffs via Upgrade Helper, dependency updates, Expo SDK steps, and common pitfalls.
# 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
Reference these guidelines when:
| 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 | 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 |
development
Provides an incremental adoption strategy to migrate native iOS or Android apps to React Native or Expo using @callstack/react-native-brownfield for initial setup. Use when planning migration steps, packaging XCFramework/AAR artifacts, and integrating them into host apps.
development
Provides React Native performance optimization guidelines for FPS, TTI, bundle size, memory leaks, re-renders, and animations. Applies to tasks involving Hermes optimization, JS thread blocking, bridge overhead, FlashList, native modules, or debugging jank and frame drops.
development
React Native and Expo best practices for building performant mobile apps. Use when building React Native components, optimizing list performance, implementing animations, or working with native modules. Triggers on tasks involving React Native, Expo, mobile performance, or native platform APIs.
development
Write tests using React Native Testing Library (RNTL) v13 and v14 (`@testing-library/react-native`). Use when writing, reviewing, or fixing React Native component tests. Covers: render, screen, queries (getBy/getAllBy/queryBy/findBy), Jest matchers, userEvent, fireEvent, waitFor, and async patterns. Supports v13 (React 18, sync render) and v14 (React 19+, async render). Triggers on: test files for React Native components, RNTL imports, mentions of "testing library", "write tests", "component tests", or "RNTL".