Build and distribute Expo development clients locally or via TestFlight
Use the skills CLI to install this skill with one command. Auto-detects all installed AI assistants.
Method 1 - skills CLI
npx skills i expo/skills/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-dev-clientMethod 2 - openskills (supports sync & update)
npx openskills install expo/skillsAuto-detects Claude Code, Cursor, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and more. One install, works everywhere.
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Use EAS Build to create development clients for testing native code changes on physical devices. Use this for creating custom Expo Go clients for testing branches of your app.
Only create development clients when your app requires custom native code. Most apps work fine in Expo Go.
You need a dev client ONLY when using:
Try Expo Go first with npx expo start. If everything works, you don't need a dev client.
Ensure eas.json has a development profile:
{
"cli": {
"version": ">= 16.0.1",
"appVersionSource": "remote"
},
"build": {
"production": {
"autoIncrement": true
},
"development": {
"autoIncrement": true,
"developmentClient": true
}
},
"submit": {
"production": {},
"development": {}
}
}Key settings:
developmentClient: true - Bundles expo-dev-client for development buildsautoIncrement: true - Automatically increments build numbersappVersionSource: "remote" - Uses EAS as the source of truth for version numbersBuild iOS dev client and submit to TestFlight in one command:
eas build -p ios --profile development --submitThis will:
After receiving the TestFlight email:
Build a development client on your machine:
# iOS (requires Xcode)
eas build -p ios --profile development --local
# Android
eas build -p android --profile development --localLocal builds output:
.ipa file.apk or .aab fileInstall iOS build on simulator:
# Find the .app in the .tar.gz output
tar -xzf build-*.tar.gz
xcrun simctl install booted ./path/to/App.appInstall iOS build on device (requires signing):
# Use Xcode Devices window or ideviceinstaller
ideviceinstaller -i build.ipaInstall Android build:
adb install build.apk# iOS only
eas build -p ios --profile development
# Android only
eas build -p android --profile development
# Both platforms
eas build --profile development# List recent builds
eas build:list
# View build details
eas build:viewOnce installed, the dev client provides:
Connect to local development:
# Start Metro bundler
npx expo start --dev-client
# Scan QR code with dev client or enter URL manuallyBuild fails with signing errors:
eas credentialsClear build cache:
eas build -p ios --profile development --clear-cacheCheck EAS CLI version:
eas --version
eas update