If starting today, use expo. You can access native code with expo’s latest version, development clients and config plugins. Answer from ctrlshiftba on reddit.com
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › more › expo-cli
Expo CLI - Expo Documentation
November 11, 2025 - The Expo CLI is a command-line tool that is the primary interface between a developer and other Expo tools.
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npm
npmjs.com › package › expo-cli
expo-cli - npm
The command-line tool for creating and publishing Expo apps. Latest version: 6.3.10, last published: 2 years ago. Start using expo-cli in your project by running `npm i expo-cli`. There are 29 other projects in the npm registry using expo-cli.
      » npm install expo-cli
    
Published   Jul 05, 2023
Version   6.3.10
Discussions

What do companies use? (Expo or CLI)
If starting today, use expo. You can access native code with expo’s latest version, development clients and config plugins. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/reactnative
61
36
November 2, 2023
react native - Run expo-cli commands locally (using the local expo-cli) - Stack Overflow
I have expo-cli installed globally in node_modules. I created a React Native Project in which I also installed expo-cli locally (because its in the package.json dependencies of the project). I noti... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
react native - Issue with global expo-cli package and unable to find expo - Stack Overflow
this happened when i entered npx expo start im confused ive been trying to get my program running but it keeps displaying this message: | The global expo-cli package has been deprecated. ... More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
Thoughts on RN and Expo CLI
I've used RN cli professionally for 7 years and just started a hobby project with Expo to see what the fuss is about. A lot of things work out of the box fine. Some things do feel cumbersome because my existing toolkit is not compatible and I have to figure out how it works with Expo. I like that it is less steps to install Expo modules. I dislike that they try to push you towards their paid build service to do releases. I'm used to managing my own pipelines and want full control over that. I'll continue evaluating Expo, but I'm not fully convinced yet. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/reactnative
17
18
July 6, 2024
People also ask

How do I update Expo CLI to the latest version?
To update Expo CLI, run npm install -g expo-cli in your terminal. This command ensures you have the latest features and improvements.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
Is Expo CLI suitable for building production-ready apps?
Absolutely. Expo CLI streamlines the development process, from coding to deployment, making it an excellent choice for creating production-ready applications.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
Can I use Expo CLI for existing React Native projects?
Yes, you can integrate Expo into existing React Native projects to leverage its tooling and features, enhancing your development workflow.
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dhiwise.com
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
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Expo
expo.dev
Expo
Write native code with the Expo Modules API and config plugins.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/reactnative › what do companies use? (expo or cli)
r/reactnative on Reddit: What do companies use? (Expo or CLI)
November 2, 2023 -

I am trying to develop an app and am not sure which to use. I know Expo is easier and quicker but you can't access native elements. But there should js lib to do most things. Or should I just start using CLI and if I use CLI would I still be able to write on code base and get an app that works for both ios and android?

Top answer
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To answer your question to the best of my knowledge: large companies use CLI simply because their apps are far more hybridized than hobbyist apps. Many of them, for efficiency reasons or compatibility reasons, have lots of custom native code in their projects. As for this sub, I honestly don’t know where to guide you to but this sub has become a giant expo ad. You will receive extremely biased opinions all favoured towards expo. I’ve been developing RN apps for a few years. I’ve used both, but I prefer CLI simply because I am closer to the native side and I have learned native development and how RN itself works. I understand the build errors and release processes etc. if you’re a beginner keep in mind that you may be hindering yourself of that same knowledge if you stick with expo. Now Expo is great, but keep in mind that it doesn’t change how RN works. Despite what many say, there are obviously limits to what you can do. If you cannot trust yourself to debug native code which may arise when using the CLI, think carefully if you can fix issues which may occur when ejecting a working project. Also think about your project requirements. If it doesn’t have third party support from expo, Ide go with CLI. If you want to learn RN, go with CLI. If you want to develop a quick simple app, Ide go with Expo. Sorry about this long rant. I’m just a bit fedup about this expo cult thing that’s been going on recently.
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If starting today, use expo. You can access native code with expo’s latest version, development clients and config plugins.
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GitHub
github.com › expo › expo-cli
GitHub - expo/expo-cli: Tools for creating, running, and deploying universal Expo and React Native apps
Tools for creating, running, and deploying universal Expo and React Native apps - expo/expo-cli
Starred by 2.7K users
Forked by 479 users
Languages   TypeScript 86.3% | HTML 6.9% | JavaScript 6.8%
Find elsewhere
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › workflow › web
Develop websites with Expo - Expo Documentation
5 days ago - Development features like Fast Refresh, debugging, environment variables, and bundling are also fully universal, enabling a unified developer experience. Expo CLI automatically optimizes code for individual platforms when you build for production, using techniques like platform shaking.
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DhiWise
dhiwise.com › post › easy-steps-to-install-expo-cli-npm-for-your-development
How to Install Expo CLI NPM for Your Development Environment
November 14, 2024 - Beyond development, Expo CLI offers a suite of commands to enhance your app development workflow. From exporting your project for web deployment to customizing app icons and splash screens, the possibilities are vast.
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React Native
reactnative.dev › docs › getting-started-without-a-framework
Get Started Without a Framework · React Native
5 days ago - You can use React Native Community CLI to generate a new project. Let's create a new React Native project called "AwesomeProject": ... This is not necessary if you are integrating React Native into an existing application, or if you've installed Expo in your project, or if you're adding Android ...
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Expo Documentation
docs.expo.dev › bare › installing-expo-modules
Install Expo modules in an existing React Native project - Expo Documentation
1 week ago - We recommend using Expo CLI and related tooling configurations to bundle your app JavaScript code and assets. This adds support for using the "main" field in package.json to use Expo Router library. Not using Expo CLI for bundling may result in unexpected behavior.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/reactnative › thoughts on rn and expo cli
r/reactnative on Reddit: Thoughts on RN and Expo CLI
July 6, 2024 -

Hi!

I’ve been a React Native developer for only 3 and a half years, so relatively new, and I’d like to share my opinion based on my experience regarding the choice of using React Native CLI over Expo CLI, mainly to understand what people think about it.

I know this topic has already been discussed countless times, but the fact remains that a lot of new developers face this crossroad at the beginning.

Until a few years ago, due to some limitations of Expo, it was actually very reasonable to debate the actual convenience of using React Native CLI over Expo CLI (which is also the reason why I started with React Native CLI), but now everything that can be done with React Native CLI can perfectly be done with Expo CLI as well. I recently had to work on a React Native project using Expo and I was quite surprised by its simplicity. I realized how using Expo makes the developer's life easier from every point of view. At the same time, however, I believe that having an idea of how a native Android and iOS project works and is actually structured is quite important for a mobile developer, and Expo completely abstracts away that part.

So, on one hand, I am attracted to the convenience that Expo brings to the development experience, but on the other, I am a bit hesitant about completely losing touch with what is at a lower level. As a mobile application developer, speaking from a professional standpoint, I do not rule out the possibility of developing mobile applications natively with Kotlin or Swift in the future, or even switching frameworks altogether.

For this reason, I remain more inclined to use React Native CLI rather than Expo. Maybe my concerns are just unfounded... I would still like to know what you think about it

Cheers :)

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I've used RN cli professionally for 7 years and just started a hobby project with Expo to see what the fuss is about. A lot of things work out of the box fine. Some things do feel cumbersome because my existing toolkit is not compatible and I have to figure out how it works with Expo. I like that it is less steps to install Expo modules. I dislike that they try to push you towards their paid build service to do releases. I'm used to managing my own pipelines and want full control over that. I'll continue evaluating Expo, but I'm not fully convinced yet.
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Well, RN itself is an abstraction over Android and iOS development. It’s not like you can say you’re an iOS/Android dev if you only know RN. And it’s not like working with expo you won’t ever need to touch the native side of your project. For example I had to write a native module in one of my expo projects, simply because existing solutions didn’t quite work well or were outdated for my specific use case. And I also had to write a few custom plugins, because I needed to add some stuff my Podfile/build.gradle. Doing stuff like this, will make you learn about the underlying Android/iOS abstraction. In the end the philosophy of both expo and RN is to write code once and not worry about all of the complicated stuff which is tied to native iOS/Android development. But if you’re curious, want to broaden your knowledge and know how stuff works inside and outside of Android/iOS or both, then go ahead. That’s also a totally valid thing to do
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Cloudsmith
cloudsmith.com › navigator › npm › expo-cli
expo-cli (6.3.10) - npm Package Quality | Cloudsmith Navigator
Learn all about the quality, security, and current maintenance status of expo-cli using Cloudsmith Navigator
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ScholarHat
scholarhat.com › home
How to Create React Native app with React Native CLI or Expo CLI
April 2, 2025 - The expo CLI is a recommended way for creating the new React Native app for beginner developers since it has a collection of tools built around the React Native so we only need to have a recent version installed of the nodejs and a mobile phone ...
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GitHub
github.com › expo › expo › issues › 24957
"npm install -g expo-cli" doesn't update expo-cli · Issue #24957 · expo/expo
September 18, 2023 - Summary When I run my expo project using expo start, I am provided an error to update expo-cli. I run the update command npm install -g expo-cli. The update seems to go through successfully but whe...
Published   Oct 20, 2023
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Reintech
reintech.io › term › expo-cli
Expo CLI: A Command-Line Interface Tool for Building React Native Apps | Reintech media
Expo CLI is a command-line interface tool that helps developers build React Native apps with Expo, simplifying the process of creating and deploying React Native apps by providing pre-built components and app management tools.
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Medium
medium.com › @edsin.delikumar › building-a-react-native-mobile-app-with-expo-cli-and-eas-cli-2d6bcb02c8aa
Creating a React Native Mobile App with Expo CLI and EAS CLI | by Edsin Delikumar | Medium
June 5, 2023 - The EAS CLI provides advanced build and deployment capabilities for Expo apps, allowing you to customize the build process and integrate with continuous integration/delivery systems.
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PandaC
pandac.in › blogs › getting started with expo cli
Getting Started with Expo CLI | PandaC
January 6, 2024 - Expo CLI, the command-line interface for Expo, provides developers with a wide array of commands to manage and streamline their mobile development workflow. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamental Expo CLI commands and their functionalities.