CLI Overview - React Native

The React Native CLI is your primary tool for creating, running, building, and managing React Native applications from the command line.

Installation

The React Native CLI is included when you create a new project. You can run commands using npx:

npx react-native <command> [options]

Available Commands

Project Initialization

init - Create a new React Native project

Development

start - Start the Metro development server
run-android - Build and run your app on Android
run-ios - Build and run your app on iOS

Building

build-android - Build an Android app for production
build-ios - Build an iOS app for production
bundle - Build the JavaScript bundle

Debugging

log-android - View Android device logs
log-ios - View iOS device logs

Configuration

metro-config - Configure the Metro bundler
react-native-config - Configure React Native settings

Basic Workflow

Create a project

npx react-native init MyApp

Navigate to project

cd MyApp

Start Metro

npx react-native start

Run on device

In a new terminal:

npx react-native run-ios
# or
npx react-native run-android

Global Options

Most commands support these common options:

Option	Description
`--version`	Show version number
`--help`	Show help information
`--verbose`	Increase logging verbosity
`--config <path>`	Path to the CLI configuration file

CLI Configuration

You can configure CLI behavior using a react-native.config.js file in your project root:

react-native.config.js

module.exports = {
  project: {
    ios: {},
    android: {},
  },
  assets: ['./assets/fonts/'],
};

Environment Variables

Metro Port

RCT_METRO_PORT=8088 npx react-native start

Skip Package Manager

SKIP_INSTALL=true npx react-native init MyApp

Troubleshooting

Clear Cache

If you encounter bundling issues:

npx react-native start --reset-cache

Check CLI Version

npx react-native --version

Verbose Logging

For detailed output during debugging:

npx react-native run-android --verbose

Next Steps

Start Command

Learn how to start the Metro development server

Run Commands

Build and run your app on simulators and devices

Bundle Command

Create production JavaScript bundles

Metro Config

Configure the Metro bundler

​Installation

​Available Commands

​Project Initialization

​Development

​Building

​Debugging

​Configuration

​Basic Workflow

​Global Options

​CLI Configuration

​Environment Variables

​Metro Port

​Skip Package Manager

​Troubleshooting

​Clear Cache

​Check CLI Version

​Verbose Logging

​Next Steps