React Native Bare Workflow Project Structure

Full native code access. Run native modules and control iOS/Android projects directly.

#react-native #bare #mobile #ios #android #native

PNG PDF

Project Directory

MyApp/

index.js

App registry entry

App.tsx

Root component

package.json

tsconfig.json

babel.config.js

metro.config.js

Metro bundler config

.gitignore

Gemfile

Ruby deps for iOS

android/

Android native project

app/

Main Android app

build.gradle

settings.gradle

gradle.properties

ios/

iOS native project

MyApp/

Xcode project files

MyApp.xcworkspace

Podfile

CocoaPods dependencies

Podfile.lock

src/

JavaScript/TypeScript source

screens/

Screen components

HomeScreen.tsx

DetailsScreen.tsx

components/

Reusable components

Button.tsx

Card.tsx

navigation/

React Navigation setup

AppNavigator.tsx

Root navigator

types.ts

Navigation types

hooks/

useAuth.ts

utils/

storage.ts

__tests__/

Jest tests

App.test.tsx

Why This Structure?

Bare workflow gives you full access to native iOS and Android projects. You can add any native module, customize build settings, and integrate native SDKs. Essential when Expo's managed workflow can't meet your needs.

Key Directories

android/-Full Android Studio project—modify Gradle, add native modules
ios/-Xcode project with Podfile for native dependencies
src/-All JavaScript/TypeScript code lives here
src/navigation/-React Navigation configuration and types
src/screens/-Screen components mapped to routes

Getting Started

npx react-native@latest init MyApp
cd MyApp
npx pod-install # Install iOS CocoaPods
npx react-native run-ios # or run-android

When To Use This

Need native modules not supported by Expo
Integrating native SDKs (payments, maps, analytics)
Require custom native code (Swift/Kotlin)
Full control over build configuration
Enterprise apps with specific native requirements

When To Upgrade

App architecture becomes complex (consider feature-based)
Multiple teams working on different features
State management needs structure
Need better code organization and scalability

Trade-offs

Setup complexity-Must configure Xcode, Android Studio, CocoaPods
Build times-Native builds are slower than Expo Go preview
Maintenance-Must handle native upgrades and breaking changes