Mobile Expo Expert

Mobile Expert — React Native & Expo (SDK 53 / RN 0.79 Edition)

English | Bahasa Indonesia

English

Orchestration & Integration

Connects and orchestrates with relevant domain skills like brainstorming, zero-to-prod-orchestrator, and project-context-mapper to ensure cohesive execution.

Description

Expert guide for building production-grade cross-platform mobile applications using React Native 0.79+ and Expo SDK 53+. Covers the New Architecture (stable), Expo Router v4, OTA updates, native modules, and modern state management patterns for iOS and Android.

Trigger Conditions

• Building a new iOS/Android cross-platform mobile app.
• Using Expo SDK 53+ or React Native 0.79+ with the New Architecture.
• Implementing file-based routing with Expo Router v4.
• Setting up OTA (Over-the-Air) updates with EAS Update.
• Writing native modules using JSI (JavaScript Interface) or Expo Modules API.
• Integrating device features: camera, biometrics, notifications, location.

What's New in 2026

React Native 0.79 — New Architecture Stable

The New Architecture (Fabric + JSI + TurboModules) is now fully stable and the default for all new Expo SDK 53 projects:

• Fabric: New rendering engine — synchronous rendering, better animations.
• JSI (JavaScript Interface): Direct C++ bridge — no more async serialization for native calls.
• TurboModules: Lazy-loaded native modules — significantly faster startup time.
• Concurrent React: Full support for useTransition, useDeferredValue, and Suspense on mobile.

Expo SDK 53 — Key Updates

• Expo Router v4: File-based routing with typed routes, API routes (Expo functions), and universal links.
• Expo Camera v15: Unified camera API for iOS and Android.
• Expo SQLite v15: Full SQLite with WAL mode and useSQLiteContext hook.
• Expo Modules API v2: Easier native module authoring with Swift/Kotlin.
• EAS Build: Faster builds with M-series Mac runners.

Core Architecture Patterns

1. Project Setup (Expo SDK 53 + New Arch)

npx create-expo-app@latest MyApp --template tabs
cd MyApp
# New Architecture is enabled by default in SDK 53

2. Expo Router v4 — File-Based Routing

app/
  _layout.tsx          # Root layout (navigation + providers)
  (tabs)/
    _layout.tsx         # Tab navigator
    index.tsx           # Home tab
    profile.tsx         # Profile tab
  (auth)/
    login.tsx           # Login screen
    register.tsx
  modal.tsx             # Modal screen

Use typed routes for compile-time safety:

import { Link, useRouter } from 'expo-router';

// Typed navigation — TypeScript errors on invalid paths
<Link href="/profile">Profile</Link>

const router = useRouter();
router.push('/modal');

3. API Routes (Expo Functions)

Expo Router v4 supports API routes for serverless backend logic:

// app/api/user+api.ts
export async function GET(request: Request) {
  const user = await db.user.findFirst();
  return Response.json(user);
}

4. State Management

• TanStack Query v5: Primary choice for server state (useQuery, useMutation).
• Zustand: Lightweight client state management (replace Context for complex state).
• MMKV: Ultra-fast synchronous storage (replace AsyncStorage).
• Expo SQLite + Drizzle: Local-first database with full SQL support.

5. Navigation Patterns

// Deep linking & Universal Links configuration
// app.json
{
  "expo": {
    "scheme": "myapp",
    "ios": { "associatedDomains": ["applinks:myapp.com"] },
    "android": { "intentFilters": [{ "action": "VIEW", "data": [{ "scheme": "https", "host": "myapp.com" }] }] }
  }
}

6. Native Modules — Expo Modules API v2

// modules/my-sensor/src/MyModule.ts
import { requireNativeModule } from 'expo-modules-core';
const MyModule = requireNativeModule('MyModule');

export function readSensor(): Promise<number> {
  return MyModule.readSensor();
}

7. OTA Updates with EAS Update

# Push an instant OTA update (no App Store review)
eas update --branch production --message "Fix critical bug"

Use channels to target specific user groups (production, staging, beta).

8. Performance Best Practices

• Use FlashList (Shopify) instead of FlatList for large lists.
• Use react-native-reanimated v3 for 60/120fps animations that run on the UI thread.
• Use react-native-gesture-handler for gesture recognition on the native thread.
• Enable Hermes engine (default in SDK 53) for faster startup and reduced memory.

Bahasa Indonesia

Integrasi Orkestrasi

Terhubung dan mengorkestrasi skill domain yang relevan seperti brainstorming, zero-to-prod-orchestrator, dan project-context-mapper untuk memastikan eksekusi yang kohesif.

Deskripsi

Panduan ahli untuk membangun aplikasi mobile cross-platform tingkat produksi menggunakan React Native 0.79+ dan Expo SDK 53+. Mencakup New Architecture (stabil), Expo Router v4, OTA updates, native modules, dan pola state management modern untuk iOS dan Android.

Kondisi Pemicu

• Membangun aplikasi mobile iOS/Android cross-platform baru.
• Menggunakan Expo SDK 53+ atau React Native 0.79+ dengan New Architecture.
• Mengimplementasikan routing berbasis file dengan Expo Router v4.
• Menyiapkan OTA (Over-the-Air) updates dengan EAS Update.
• Menulis native modules menggunakan JSI atau Expo Modules API v2.
• Mengintegrasikan fitur perangkat: kamera, biometrik, notifikasi, lokasi.

Yang Baru di 2026

React Native 0.79 — New Architecture Stabil

New Architecture (Fabric + JSI + TurboModules) kini sepenuhnya stabil dan menjadi default untuk semua proyek baru Expo SDK 53:

• Fabric: Engine rendering baru — rendering sinkron, animasi lebih baik.
• JSI: Bridge C++ langsung — tidak ada lagi serialisasi async untuk panggilan native.
• TurboModules: Modul native lazy-loaded — startup jauh lebih cepat.
• Concurrent React: Dukungan penuh untuk useTransition, useDeferredValue, dan Suspense di mobile.

Expo SDK 53 — Pembaruan Utama

• Expo Router v4: Routing berbasis file dengan typed routes, API routes, dan universal links.
• Expo Camera v15: API kamera terpadu untuk iOS dan Android.
• Expo SQLite v15: SQLite lengkap dengan mode WAL dan hook useSQLiteContext.
• Expo Modules API v2: Pembuatan modul native yang lebih mudah dengan Swift/Kotlin.
• EAS Build: Build lebih cepat dengan runner Mac M-series.

Pola Arsitektur Inti

1. Routing Berbasis File (Expo Router v4)

Expo Router menggunakan konvensi direktori app/ untuk mendefinisikan semua layar dan navigasi. Gunakan typed routes untuk keamanan type-safe di waktu kompilasi.

2. API Routes (Expo Functions)

Expo Router v4 mendukung API routes untuk logika backend serverless langsung di dalam proyek.

3. State Management

• TanStack Query v5: Pilihan utama untuk server state.
• Zustand: State klien yang ringan.
• MMKV: Penyimpanan sinkron ultra-cepat (pengganti AsyncStorage).
• Expo SQLite + Drizzle: Database lokal-first dengan dukungan SQL penuh.

4. Native Modules — Expo Modules API v2

Gunakan Expo Modules API untuk membuat modul native kustom dengan Swift (iOS) dan Kotlin (Android) dengan boilerplate minimal.

5. OTA Updates dengan EAS Update

Dorong pembaruan instan ke pengguna tanpa melalui review App Store. Gunakan channel (production, staging, beta) untuk menargetkan kelompok pengguna tertentu.

6. Praktik Terbaik Performa

• FlashList: Pengganti FlatList yang jauh lebih cepat untuk daftar panjang.
• react-native-reanimated v3: Animasi 60/120fps yang berjalan di UI thread.
• react-native-gesture-handler: Pengenalan gesture di native thread.
• Hermes Engine: Default di SDK 53 — startup lebih cepat, memori lebih sedikit.