How to install and use Expo Skills in 30 seconds?

Author: Expo (@expo)
Agent Tool: Expo

This quick guide shows two ways to add Expo skills to your agent project: the one‑command automatic install using the skills CLI, and a reliable manual method when the CLI isn’t available.

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1) Automatic Installation (recommended)

Use the skills CLI to add skills from GitHub in one command.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ and npm 9+ installed
• Git installed and available in your PATH
• A working internet connection

Command format

npx skills add <owner/repo-or-path>

Quick start examples

• Install the entire Expo skills catalog (top-level repo):

npx skills add expo/skills

• Install the Expo App Design skill bundle:

npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills

• Install individual App Design skills:

# Building Native UI
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/building-native-ui

# Expo API Routes
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-api-routes

# Expo Dev Client
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-dev-client

# Tailwind setup for Expo
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-tailwind-setup

# Native data fetching patterns
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/native-data-fetching

# use-dom
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/use-dom

• Install deployment skills:

# Expo deployment recipes
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-deployment/skills/expo-deployment

# CI/CD workflows for Expo
npx skills add expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-deployment/skills/expo-cicd-workflows

What happens next?

• The CLI fetches the skill from GitHub and registers it with your agent tool.
• Follow any on-screen prompts. If a skill has setup steps (dependencies or config), the CLI or skill README will tell you what to do.

Troubleshooting

• “npx: command not found” or “Node too old”
• Install/upgrade Node.js (v18+) from nodejs.org and try again.
• “git: command not found”
• Install Git from git-scm.com and ensure it’s on your PATH.
• Corporate proxy or SSL errors
• Configure your network/proxy settings for npm and git. If needed, retry on a non‑restricted network.
• Windows shell quoting issues
• If paths include special characters, wrap the argument in quotes:
  bash npx skills add "expo/skills/tree/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-dev-client"
• CLI keeps failing
• Use the Manual Installation section below to add skills without the CLI.

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2) Manual Installation (no CLI)

If the skills CLI is unavailable, you can add skills manually by copying the skill source into your project and registering it with your agent tool.

Official Expo documentation

• Expo docs (overview): https://docs.expo.dev/
• Expo Router: https://docs.expo.dev/router/
• Development builds (Expo Dev Client): https://docs.expo.dev/development/
• Using Tailwind with Expo: https://docs.expo.dev/guides/using-tailwindcss/
• EAS (Build, Submit, Update, CI/CD): https://docs.expo.dev/eas/

Step-by-step

1) Prepare your workspace
- Ensure Node.js 18+, npm 9+, and Git are installed.
- Open your agent project in your terminal.

2) Locate the skill you want
- Browse the Expo skills repository on GitHub: https://github.com/expo/skills
- For App Design skills, navigate to:
- plugins/expo-app-design/skills/
- For Deployment skills, navigate to:
- plugins/expo-deployment/skills/

3) Copy the skill into your project
- Option A: Clone the repo and copy the folder
bash git clone https://github.com/expo/skills # Example: copy the Expo Dev Client skill cp -R skills/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-dev-client ./skills/expo-dev-client
- Option B: Download the folder from GitHub (Code > Download ZIP), then move the desired skill folder into your project’s skills/ directory.

4) Register the skill with your agent tool
- Most agent tools expect a skills manifest or configuration entry.
- Add an entry that points to the copied folder. For example:

{
  "skills": [
    { "name": "expo-dev-client", "path": "./skills/expo-dev-client" },
    { "name": "expo-api-routes", "path": "./skills/expo-api-routes" }
  ]
}

• The exact file and format depend on your agent tool. Consult your agent tool’s documentation for the required manifest key or configuration location.

5) Install app dependencies referenced by the skill
- Open the skill’s README or metadata for any required Expo packages.
- Common examples (run in your Expo app project):
- Expo Dev Client
bash npx expo install expo-dev-client # If your app isn’t prebuilt yet: npx expo prebuild # Build a development client for your device/platform npx expo run:ios # or: npx expo run:android
- Expo Router / API routes
bash npx expo install expo-router react-native-safe-area-context react-native-screens
- Tailwind setup
bash # Follow the official guide for the latest packages # https://docs.expo.dev/guides/using-tailwindcss/
- EAS / CI-CD
bash # Install the EAS CLI globally or use npx npm i -g eas-cli eas login

6) Configure your Expo app as needed
- Follow the linked official docs for each area:
- Development builds: configure your app.json/app.config for dev client features
- Router: set up app/ directory and routes
- Tailwind: initialize Tailwind config and integrate with your bundler
- EAS: initialize with eas init and set up workflows

7) Verify the integration
- Start your app and confirm the skill’s functionality is available:

npx expo start

• For deployment skills, test a build or CI pipeline:

eas build --platform ios   # or: eas build --platform android

Tips for manual installs

• Keep skills in a dedicated skills/ directory for clarity.
• Commit the skill folder to version control to ensure reproducible environments.
• If a skill includes a package.json, install its dependencies in your app workspace and reconcile versions as needed.
• Always prefer the official Expo docs for technology-specific steps and the agent tool’s docs for registration details.

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FAQ

• Can I install multiple skills at once?
• Yes. Run npx skills add ... for each skill you need, or install a bundle (like the App Design skills folder).
• Is there an uninstall command?
• If your CLI provides removal, use it; otherwise, delete the skill folder and remove its entry from your manifest.
• Do I need an Expo account?
• Not to run an app locally. You’ll need an Expo account for EAS services (builds, submit, updates, CI/CD).

You’re all set—pick Automatic Installation for speed, or Manual Installation for full control. Consult the official Expo documentation for technology-specific guidance.