Expo Workflow Expert (SDK 54+)

Expo Workflow Expert (SDK 54+)

Comprehensive expertise in Expo SDK 54+ development workflows, EAS (Expo Application Services), and optimization strategies for rapid mobile development. Specializes in native tabs, Expo Router v6, iOS Liquid Glass, Android edge-to-edge, and modern deployment pipelines.

What I Know

Expo SDK 54 Features (August 2025)

What's New in SDK 54

• Native Tab Bar Navigation: True native tabs via React Navigation 7
• iOS Liquid Glass Support: Translucent glass effects (iOS 26+)
• Android Edge-to-Edge: Default immersive display
• expo-video & expo-audio: New media APIs replacing expo-av
• expo-image v2: useImage hook for imperative loading
• React Native 0.81: Foundation with New Architecture
• Improved Developer Experience: Faster builds, better error messages

Breaking Changes from SDK 53

• expo-av deprecated → use expo-video and expo-audio
• Tab navigation API changes for native tabs
• Android edge-to-edge now default (adjust padding)

Expo Fundamentals

Managed vs Bare Workflow

• Managed workflow: Full Expo SDK, minimal native code
• Bare workflow: Full native code access with Expo modules
• CNG (Continuous Native Generation): Best of both worlds
• Migration strategies between workflows

Expo Go vs Development Builds

• Expo Go: Quick testing, limited native modules
• Dev Client: Full native module support, custom builds
• When to switch from Expo Go to dev builds
• Creating custom dev clients with EAS Build

Expo SDK & Modules

• Core Expo modules (expo-camera, expo-location, expo-video, expo-audio)
• Third-party native module compatibility
• Module installation: npx expo install <package>
• Autolinking handles native setup automatically

EAS Build (Cloud Builds)

Build Profiles

• Development builds: Fast iteration, dev client
• Preview builds: Internal testing, TestFlight/​Internal Testing
• Production builds: App Store/​Play Store submission
• Custom build profiles in eas.json

Platform-Specific Configuration

• iOS credentials management
• Android keystore handling
• Build caching strategies
• Environment variable injection

Build Optimization

• Caching node_modules and gradle dependencies
• Incremental builds
• Build machine types (M1, Ubuntu)
• Build time reduction strategies

EAS Update (OTA Updates)

Over-The-Air Updates

• JavaScript bundle updates without app store submission
• Update channels and branches
• Rollout strategies (gradual rollout, instant rollout)
• Rollback capabilities

Update Workflows

• Development channel: Continuous updates
• Preview channel: QA testing
• Production channel: Staged rollouts
• Emergency hotfix workflows

Update Best Practices

• Version compatibility management
• Update frequency optimization
• Monitoring update adoption
• Handling update failures gracefully

App Configuration

app.json / app.config.js

• App metadata (name, slug, version)
• Platform-specific configurations
• Asset and icon configuration
• Splash screen customization
• Deep linking setup (scheme, associated domains)
• Permissions configuration
• Build-time environment variables

eas.json

• Build profile configuration
• Submit profile setup
• Environment secrets management
• Platform-specific build settings

Dynamic Configuration

• Environment-specific configs (dev, staging, prod)
• Feature flags integration
• App variants (white-label apps)

Development Workflow

Fast Refresh & Hot Reloading

• Understanding fast refresh behavior
• Troubleshooting fast refresh issues
• When to use full reload vs fast refresh

Debugging Tools

• React DevTools integration
• Remote debugging with Chrome DevTools
• Flipper for advanced debugging
• Network request inspection
• Performance profiling

Local Development

• Running on physical devices (QR code scanning)
• Running on simulators/​emulators
• Offline development strategies
• Tunnel mode vs LAN mode

Deployment & Distribution

App Store Submission

• iOS: TestFlight, App Store Connect integration
• Android: Internal testing, Play Store submission
• EAS Submit command automation
• Store metadata management

Internal Distribution

• Ad-hoc iOS builds
• Android APK distribution
• Enterprise distribution
• TestFlight external testing

CI/​CD Integration

• GitHub Actions with EAS Build
• GitLab CI integration
• Automated build triggers
• Automated OTA updates on merge

When to Use This Skill

Ask me when you need help with:

• Setting up Expo SDK 54+ development workflow
• Creating development builds with EAS Build
• Configuring app.json or eas.json
• Setting up over-the-air updates with EAS Update
• Troubleshooting Expo Go limitations
• Optimizing build times
• Managing app credentials and secrets
• Configuring deep linking and URL schemes
• Setting up CI/​CD pipelines for Expo apps
• Deploying to App Store or Play Store
• Understanding Expo SDK 54 capabilities
• Migrating from Expo Go to dev client
• Handling native modules in Expo projects
• Implementing native tab navigation
• Setting up iOS Liquid Glass effects
• Configuring Android edge-to-edge display
• Migrating from expo-av to expo-video/​expo-audio
• Using Expo Router v6 file-based routing

Essential Expo Commands

Project Setup

# Create new Expo project
npx create-expo-app@latest MyApp

# Navigate to project
cd MyApp

# Start development server
npx expo start

# Install Expo module
npx expo install expo-camera

# Check project health
npx expo-doctor

Development

# Start with cache cleared
npx expo start -c

# Start with specific mode
npx expo start --dev-client  # Development build
npx expo start --go          # Expo Go

# Run on specific platform
npx expo run:ios
npx expo run:android

# Prebuild native projects (bare workflow)
npx expo prebuild

EAS Build

# Login to EAS
eas login

# Configure EAS
eas build:configure

# Build for all platforms
eas build --platform all

# Build development version
eas build --profile development --platform ios

# Build for production
eas build --profile production --platform all

# Check build status
eas build:list

EAS Update

# Configure EAS Update
eas update:configure

# Publish update to default channel
eas update --branch production --message "Fix critical bug"

# Publish to specific channel
eas update --channel preview --message "QA testing"

# List published updates
eas update:list

# Rollback update
eas update:rollback

EAS Submit

# Submit to App Store
eas submit --platform ios

# Submit to Play Store
eas submit --platform android

# Submit specific build
eas submit --platform ios --id <build-id>

Pro Tips & Tricks

1. Development Build Optimization

Create a reusable development build once, then use EAS Update for daily changes:

// eas.json
{
  "build": {
    "development": {
      "developmentClient": true,
      "distribution": "internal",
      "ios": {
        "simulator": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Build once:

eas build --profile development --platform all

Update JavaScript daily:

eas update --branch development --message "Daily changes"

2. Environment-Based Configuration

Use app.config.js for dynamic configuration:

// app.config.js
export default ({ config }) => {
  const isProduction = process.env.APP_ENV === 'production';

  return {
    ...config,
    name: isProduction ? 'MyApp' : 'MyApp Dev',
    slug: 'myapp',
    extra: {
      apiUrl: isProduction
        ? 'https://api.myapp.com'
        : 'https://dev-api.myapp.com',
      analyticsKey: process.env.ANALYTICS_KEY,
    },
    updates: {
      url: 'https://u.expo.dev/​your-project-id'
    }
  };
};

3. Fast Credential Setup

Let EAS manage credentials automatically:

// eas.json
{
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "ios": {
        "credentialsSource": "remote"
      },
      "android": {
        "credentialsSource": "remote"
      }
    }
  }
}

4. Efficient Build Caching

Speed up builds by caching dependencies:

// eas.json
{
  "build": {
    "production": {
      "cache": {
        "key": "myapp-v1",
        "paths": ["node_modules", "ios/​Pods", "android/​.gradle"]
      }
    }
  }
}

5. Gradual OTA Rollout

Safely deploy updates to production:

# Start with 10% rollout
eas update --branch production --message "New feature" --rollout-percentage 10

# Monitor metrics, then increase
eas update:configure-rollout --branch production --percentage 50

# Full rollout
eas update:configure-rollout --branch production --percentage 100

6. Quick Testing on Physical Devices

For Expo Go (quick testing):

# Start dev server
npx expo start

# Scan QR code with:
# - iOS: Camera app
# - Android: Expo Go app

For dev client (full features):

# Install dev client once
eas build --profile development --platform ios

# Daily JavaScript updates via EAS Update
eas update --branch development

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Unable to resolve module"

# Clear Metro cache
npx expo start -c

# Reinstall dependencies
rm -rf node_modules && npm install

"Build failed on EAS"

# Check build logs
eas build:list
eas build:view <build-id>

# Run prebuild locally to catch issues early
npx expo prebuild

"Update not appearing in app"

# Check update channel matches app's channel
eas channel:list

# Verify update was published successfully
eas update:list --branch production

# Force reload in app (shake device → reload)

8. Native Module Integration

When you need a native module not in Expo SDK:

# Install the module
npm install react-native-awesome-module

# Prebuild to generate native projects
npx expo prebuild

# Rebuild dev client with new module
eas build --profile development --platform all

# Continue using EAS Update for JS changes
eas update --branch development

9. Native Tab Navigation (SDK 54+)

Enable true native tab bars with Expo Router v6:

// app/(tabs)/​_layout.tsx
import { Tabs } from 'expo-router';
import { Platform } from 'react-native';

export default function TabLayout() {
  return (
    <Tabs
      screenOptions={{
        // Enable native tabs (iOS has translucent effect by default)
        tabBarStyle: Platform.select({
          ios: { position: 'absolute' }, // For Liquid Glass
          default: {},
        }),
      }}
    >
      <Tabs.Screen
        name="index"
        options={{ title: 'Home', tabBarIcon: ({ color }) => <HomeIcon color={color} /> }}
      />
      <Tabs.Screen
        name="profile"
        options={{ title: 'Profile', tabBarIcon: ({ color }) => <ProfileIcon color={color} /> }}
      />
    </​Tabs>
  );
}

10. iOS Liquid Glass (SDK 54+ / iOS 26+)

Create beautiful translucent effects:

// components/​GlassCard.tsx
import { View, StyleSheet, Platform } from 'react-native';
import { BlurView } from 'expo-blur';

export function GlassCard({ children }) {
  if (Platform.OS === 'ios' && parseInt(Platform.Version, 10) >= 26) {
    return (
      <BlurView
        style={styles.card}
        intensity={60}
        tint="systemMaterial" // Liquid Glass tint
      >
        {children}
      </​BlurView>
    );
  }

  return <View style={[styles.card, styles.fallback]}>{children}</​View>;
}

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  card: {
    borderRadius: 16,
    overflow: 'hidden',
  },
  fallback: {
    backgroundColor: 'rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8)',
  },
});

11. Android Edge-to-Edge (SDK 54+)

Handle immersive display properly:

// app/​_layout.tsx
import { useSafeAreaInsets } from 'react-native-safe-area-context';
import { View, StyleSheet, Platform } from 'react-native';

export default function RootLayout() {
  const insets = useSafeAreaInsets();

  return (
    <View
      style={[
        styles.container,
        {
          // Account for edge-to-edge on Android 15+
          paddingTop: insets.top,
          paddingBottom: insets.bottom,
        },
      ]}
    >
      <Slot />
    </​View>
  );
}

// app.json - enable edge-to-edge
{
  "expo": {
    "android": {
      "edgeToEdge": true  // SDK 54 default
    }
  }
}

12. expo-video (Replacing expo-av)

Modern video playback:

// components/​VideoPlayer.tsx
import { useVideoPlayer, VideoView } from 'expo-video';
import { useEvent } from 'expo';
import { StyleSheet, View } from 'react-native';

export function VideoPlayer({ source }: { source: string }) {
  const player = useVideoPlayer(source, (player) => {
    player.loop = true;
    player.play();
  });

  useEvent(player, 'statusChange', ({ status }) => {
    console.log('Player status:', status);
  });

  return (
    <View style={styles.container}>
      <VideoView
        style={styles.video}
        player={player}
        allowsFullscreen
        allowsPictureInPicture
      />
    </​View>
  );
}

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: { flex: 1 },
  video: { width: '100%', aspectRatio: 16 / 9 },
});

13. expo-audio (Replacing expo-av)

Modern audio handling:

// hooks/​useAudio.ts
import { useAudioPlayer, useAudioPlayerStatus } from 'expo-audio';

export function useAudio(source: string) {
  const player = useAudioPlayer(source);
  const status = useAudioPlayerStatus(player);

  return {
    play: () => player.play(),
    pause: () => player.pause(),
    seek: (position: number) => player.seekTo(position),
    isPlaying: status.playing,
    position: status.currentTime,
    duration: status.duration,
  };
}

14. expo-image v2 with useImage

Imperative image loading:

import { useImage, Image } from 'expo-image';

export function PreloadedImage({ uri }: { uri: string }) {
  const image = useImage(uri, {
    onError: (error) => console.error('Failed to load image:', error),
  });

  if (!image) {
    return <ActivityIndicator />;
  }

  return (
    <Image
      source={image}
      style={{ width: image.width, height: image.height }}
      contentFit="cover"
    />
  );
}

Integration with SpecWeave

Increment Planning

• Document Expo setup steps in spec.md
• Include EAS Build/​Update configuration in plan.md
• Track build and deployment tasks in tasks.md

Testing Strategy

• Use dev builds for feature development
• Preview builds for QA testing
• Production builds for stakeholder demos

Living Documentation

• Document build profiles in .specweave/​docs/​internal/​operations/
• Track deployment procedures in runbooks
• Maintain credential management procedures

Cost Optimization

• Use EAS Update instead of rebuilding for JS-only changes
• Cache dependencies to reduce build times
• Monitor EAS usage in increment reports