react-native-brownfield-migration
callstackincubator/agent-skills
Incremental brownfield migration from native iOS/Android to React Native or Expo using @callstack/react-native-brownfield.
What is react-native-brownfield-migration?
Implements a prescriptive workflow for adopting React Native in existing native apps through phased integration. Use this skill after deciding on brownfield migration, when setting up the integration, packaging artifacts (XCFramework or AAR), or adding React Native surfaces to native hosts.
- Guides path selection between Expo and bare React Native tracks
- Sets up @callstack/react-native-brownfield in existing native projects
- Generates iOS XCFramework artifacts from React Native source apps
- Generates and publishes Android AAR artifacts from React Native source apps
- Integrates React Native surfaces into native iOS and Android host apps
- Provides incremental rollout strategy for phased feature/screen adoption
How to install react-native-brownfield-migration
npx skills add https://github.com/callstackincubator/agent-skills --skill react-native-brownfield-migration- Decision to pursue brownfield migration (use assess-react-native-migration skill if still deciding)
- Existing native iOS or Android application
- Node.js and npm/yarn installed
- Xcode (for iOS) or Android Studio (for Android)
How to use react-native-brownfield-migration
- 1.Run the path selection gate to classify your project as Expo or bare React Native
- 2.Follow the quick-start reference for your selected path (Expo or bare)
- 3.If creating a new Expo app, use expo-create-app.md before integration
- 4.Set up @callstack/react-native-brownfield using the appropriate quick-start guide
- 5.Generate platform artifacts (XCFramework for iOS or AAR for Android)
- 6.Integrate the first React Native surface into your native host app
- 7.Validate startup and runtime behavior using device verification
- 8.Repeat integration incrementally for additional features or screens
Use cases
- Migrating an existing native iOS app to use React Native screens incrementally
- Adding Expo-managed React Native features to a bare native Android app
- Packaging and integrating a React Native module into a legacy native codebase
- Setting up brownfield integration for a multi-platform native app
- Validating React Native startup and runtime in a native host application
- Native iOS developers adopting React Native incrementally
- Native Android developers adopting React Native incrementally
- Mobile engineering teams managing brownfield migrations
- Teams choosing between Expo and bare React Native integration paths
react-native-brownfield-migration FAQ
Use assess-react-native-migration first if you are still deciding between brownfield, greenfield, checkpoint-based, defer, or no migration. Use this skill only after the brownfield path has been accepted.
The skill includes a path selection gate that inspects your project structure and package.json. If you have an existing Expo setup or prefer Expo plugin workflow, use the Expo track. Otherwise, use the bare React Native track with native folders.
Only if you don't have a React Native app yet. The expo-create-app.md reference scaffolds a new Expo app before integration. If you already have a React Native project, proceed directly to the quick-start for your path.
Use agent-device to open the host app, navigate to the React Native surface, capture screenshots, and collect device evidence. The troubleshooting guide provides additional runtime verification steps.
No. The skill enforces selecting one path per task. Do not mix Expo and bare steps unless explicitly asked to compare or migrate between them.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from callstackincubator/agent-skills.
name: react-native-brownfield-migration description: Implements an accepted incremental brownfield migration from native iOS or Android to React Native or Expo using @callstack/react-native-brownfield. Use after the brownfield path has been selected, when setting up the integration, packaging XCFramework or AAR artifacts, or adding React Native surfaces to native hosts. license: MIT
Migrating to React Native
Use this skill only after the decision to adopt brownfield migration has been made. When the user is still choosing between brownfield, greenfield, a checkpoint-based path, defer, or no migration, use assess-react-native-migration first.
Overview
Prescriptive workflow for incremental adoption of React Native in existing native apps using @callstack/react-native-brownfield, from initial setup through phased host integration.
- Expo track
- Bare React Native track
Use one track per task unless the user explicitly asks for migration or comparison.
Migration Strategy
Use this strategy for brownfield migration planning and execution:
- Assess app state and select Expo or bare path.
- Perform initial setup with
@callstack/react-native-brownfield. - Package RN artifacts (
XCFramework/AAR) from the RN source app. - Integrate one RN surface into the host app and validate startup/runtime.
- Repeat integration by feature/screen for incremental rollout.
Agent Guardrails (Global)
Apply these rules across all reference files:
- Select one path first (Expo or bare) and do not mix steps.
- Use placeholders from the docs (
<framework_target_name>,<android_module_name>,<registered_module_name>) and resolve from project files. - Validate each packaging command before moving to host integration.
- Prefer official docs for long platform snippets and CLI option details.
- Keep host apps isolated from direct React Native APIs when possible (facade approach).
- For startup/runtime verification, use
agent-deviceto open the host app, navigate to the RN surface, capture snapshots/screenshots, and collect device evidence. If it is missing and verification needs it, install it through the environment's approved/trusted path or ask the user to install or enable it.
Canonical Docs
- Quick Start
- Expo Integration
- iOS Integration
- Android Integration
- Brownfield CLI
- Guidelines
- Troubleshooting
Path Selection Gate (Must Run First)
Before selecting any reference file, classify the project:
- If no React Native app exists yet, use Expo creation path:
- If React Native app exists, inspect
package.jsonandapp.json:- Expo if
expois present or Expo plugin workflow is requested. - Bare RN if native folders and direct RN CLI workflow are used without Expo path requirements.
- Expo if
- If still unclear, ask one disambiguation question.
- Continue with exactly one path.
When to Apply
Reference this package when:
- Implementing an accepted incremental migration from native-only apps to React Native or Expo
- Creating brownfield integration flows for Expo or bare React Native projects
- Performing initial setup with
@callstack/react-native-brownfield - Generating iOS XCFramework artifacts from a React Native app
- Generating and publishing Android AAR artifacts from a React Native app
- Integrating generated artifacts into host iOS/Android apps
Quick Reference
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| quick-start.md | Shared preflight and mandatory path-selection gate |
| expo-create-app.md | Scaffold a new Expo app before Expo brownfield setup |
| expo-quick-start.md | Expo plugin setup and packaging readiness |
| expo-ios-integration.md | Expo iOS packaging and host startup integration |
| expo-android-integration.md | Expo Android packaging, publish, and host integration |
| bare-quick-start.md | Bare React Native baseline setup |
| bare-ios-xcframework-generation.md | Bare iOS XCFramework generation |
| bare-android-aar-generation.md | Bare Android AAR generation and publish |
| bare-ios-native-integration.md | Bare iOS host integration |
| bare-android-native-integration.md | Bare Android host integration |
Problem -> Skill Mapping
| Problem | Start With |
|---|---|
| Need migration path decision first | assess-react-native-migration |
| Need Expo vs bare path decision | quick-start.md |
| Need to create a new Expo app for brownfield | expo-create-app.md |
| Need Expo brownfield setup and plugin wiring | expo-quick-start.md |
| Need Expo iOS brownfield integration | expo-ios-integration.md |
| Need Expo Android brownfield integration | expo-android-integration.md |
| Need bare RN baseline setup | bare-quick-start.md |
| Need bare RN iOS XCFramework generation | bare-ios-xcframework-generation.md |
| Need bare RN Android AAR generation/publish | bare-android-aar-generation.md |
| Need bare RN iOS host integration | bare-ios-native-integration.md |
| Need bare RN Android host integration | bare-android-native-integration.md |
Related Skills
- Assess React Native migration before selecting the migration path.
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