# Expo 56

> >-

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-mahdi-salmanzade-expo56-skill-expo-56`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [mahdi-salmanzade](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/mahdi-salmanzade)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [mahdi-salmanzade](https://github.com/mahdi-salmanzade)
- **Source:** https://github.com/mahdi-salmanzade/expo56-skill/tree/main/expo-56/skills/expo-56

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-mahdi-salmanzade-expo56-skill-expo-56
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Expo SDK 56

> **Verified against the Expo monorepo source (`expo/expo`) and the SDK 56 changelog as of 2026-07-06 — SDK 56 is now stable (released 2026-06-01, current patch 56.0.5).** Bundled native-dep versions below are the frozen SDK 56 pins from the versioned schema (`docs/public/static/schemas/v56.0.0/native-modules.json`) — re-verify against `npx expo install --fix` output after any SDK patch/minor bump, since these references are a point-in-time snapshot.
>
> **Verification status (source audit 2026-07-06):** Re-confirmed against the pinned v56.0.0 schema and package sources — RN **0.85.3**, React 19.2.3, react-native-reanimated **4.3.1** (+ separate `react-native-worklets` 0.8.3), gesture-handler **~2.31.1**, screens **4.25.2**, safe-area-context ~5.7.0, svg 15.15.4; Hermes v1; Node ≥20.19.4. **`expo-type-information` is confirmed real** — package v0.0.5 at `packages/expo-type-information`, CLI binary `expo-type-information`, with the exact commands `module-interface` / `inline-modules-interface` / `short-module-interface` (docs: `modules/type-generation-reference.mdx`, `modules/inline-modules-reference.mdx`). Note: the unversioned `main` branch is already tracking SDK 57 (RN 0.86, screens nightly, Node 22.13) — ignore those; the values here are the frozen SDK 56 pins.

This skill covers **both** building new SDK 56 apps with correct, current APIs **and** migrating existing apps from SDK 55. SDK 56 shipped many breaking changes and new defaults that postdate model training — treat the bundled `references/` files as ground truth and consult them before writing non-trivial code. Don't rely on memory for Expo APIs; verify against the relevant reference.

## Why this matters

Several SDK 56 APIs are **new or breaking** versus what most React Native knowledge assumes:
- `expo/fetch` is now the default `globalThis.fetch`.
- `expo-file-system` `copy()`/`move()` are now **async**; the whole module moved to an object-oriented `File`/`Directory`/`Paths` API.
- `expo-router` **no longer depends on React Navigation**.
- `expo-av` is **removed** — use `expo-video` + `expo-audio`.
- Calendar / Contacts / MediaLibrary were **redesigned** (old APIs deprecated, importable only from `/legacy`).
- `@expo/vector-icons` is deprecated in favor of scoped `@react-native-vector-icons/*`.

If you write code from memory for any of these, it will likely be wrong. Check the reference.

## Quick facts (SDK 56)

| Thing | Value |
|-------|-------|
| React Native | 0.85 |
| React | 19.2 (index pins 19.2.3) |
| JS engine | **Hermes v1** (default; opt out `useHermesV1: false` in expo-build-properties) |
| New Architecture | **Mandatory** — no opt-out |
| Node.js | ≥ 20.19.4 |
| Xcode | ≥ 26.4 |
| iOS / tvOS min | 16.4 (macOS 13.4) |
| TypeScript | 6.0.3 |
| New project | `npx create-expo-app@latest --template default@sdk-56` |
| Upgrade | `npx expo install expo@^56.0.0 --fix` then `npx expo-doctor@latest` |
| Expo Go | **Not on App Store / Play Store for SDK 56** — install via CLI / TestFlight beta / `eas go` (see `references/19`) |

Key bundled native dep versions: reanimated `4.3.1` (needs `react-native-worklets` `0.8.3`), gesture-handler `~2.31.1` (use the `Gesture.Pan()` builder API), screens `4.25.2`, safe-area-context `~5.7.0`, svg `15.15.4`. Details in `references/17`.

## How to use this skill

1. Identify the topic of the user's task.
2. Open the matching reference file(s) from the routing table below — read the relevant section, not the whole file. Most files use numbered H2 sections (`## 1.`, `## 2.`, …); a few (`07`, `12`, `17`, `20`) use descriptive un-numbered H2 headings instead. Either way, grep the file's `^## ` headings first and jump to the one you need rather than reading top-to-bottom — several references run 700–1050 lines.
3. For migrations, also read the **Migration checklist** section below and the per-topic "what changed in SDK 56" / "Migration" sections inside each reference.
4. Write code using the verbatim signatures and import paths from the reference. When a reference flags a discrepancy (see "Known discrepancies" below), prefer the reference's note and verify against the live docs if it's load-bearing.

## Routing table

Read the file whose domain matches the task, then jump to the relevant H2 section (see step 2 above on how sections are organized) rather than reading the whole file.

| If the task involves… | Read |
|---|---|
| Versions, environment/tooling requirements, New Architecture, **creating** a project, **upgrading** to 56, the top-level breaking-change & codemod list | `references/01-core-setup-upgrade.md` |
| Routing, navigation, ``/``/``, layouts, typed routes, API routes, **React Navigation removal + codemod**, native stack v5, streaming SSR, data loaders, `SuspenseFallback` | `references/02-expo-router.md` |
| `@expo/ui` (SwiftUI / Jetpack Compose), universal components, native components, datetimepicker/bottom-sheet drop-in replacements | `references/03-expo-ui.md` |
| Authoring native modules, the Module DSL, inline modules, `expo-type-information`, `create-expo-module`, type-safe config plugins | `references/04-expo-modules-api.md` |
| Expo CLI flags, Metro config, on-demand filesystem, Node watcher vs Watchman, tree-shaking, env vars, TypeScript 6/7, `import.meta` | `references/05-cli-metro-bundling.md` |
| `expo-file-system` (File/Directory/Paths, upload/download tasks, async copy/move) and `expo/fetch` networking | `references/06-filesystem-networking.md` |
| **Redesigned** `expo-calendar`, `expo-contacts`, `expo-media-library`; `expo-audio` `useAudioStream`; `expo-haptics`; `expo-asset` GLB | `references/07-media-device-apis.md` |
| `expo-sqlite` (blobs, changesets), `expo-updates` / EAS Update + Hermes bytecode diffing, Convex integration | `references/08-sqlite-updates-convex.md` |
| ``, ``, iOS Widgets (`expo-widgets`), `expo-dev-client` updates, vector-icons migration | `references/09-system-ui-components.md` |
| iOS/Android build performance, EAS Build precompiled artifacts, brownfield/native integration (`multipleFrameworks`), AGENTS.md/CLAUDE.md scaffolding | `references/10-eas-build-brownfield.md` |
| `expo-camera`, `expo-image`, `expo-image-picker`, `expo-image-manipulator`, `expo-gl`, `expo-video-thumbnails` | `references/11-camera-visual-media.md` |
| `expo-video`, `expo-audio` (playback/recording), **`expo-av` removal/migration**, `expo-screen-capture` | `references/12-video-audio-playback.md` |
| `expo-auth-session`, `expo-secure-store`, `expo-local-authentication`, `expo-crypto`, `expo-apple-authentication`, `expo-web-browser`, **Router auth pattern (`Stack.Protected`)** | `references/13-auth-security.md` |
| `expo-notifications`, push setup, FCM/APNs credentials, `expo-task-manager`, `expo-background-task`, `expo-device`, `expo-application` | `references/14-notifications-background.md` |
| `expo-location`, `expo-sensors`, `expo-screen-orientation`, `expo-brightness`, `expo-battery`, `expo-cellular`, `expo-network` | `references/15-location-sensors.md` |
| `app.json`/`app.config.[js,ts]` schema, config plugins, app icons & splash, `expo-build-properties`, `expo-constants`, `expo-system-ui`, `expo-splash-screen`, `expo-font`, `expo-linking`, `expo-localization` | `references/16-app-config-foundational.md` |
| `react-native-reanimated`, `react-native-gesture-handler`, `react-native-screens`, `react-native-safe-area-context`, `react-native-svg` + bundled versions | `references/17-animation-gesture-deps.md` |
| `eas.json`, EAS Build profiles, internal distribution, credentials, EAS Submit, EAS Update channels/branches, EAS Workflows, EAS Metadata, EAS env vars | `references/18-eas-full-workflow.md` |
| Development builds, debugging tools, unit testing (`jest-expo`), E2E (Maestro), Expo Go SDK 56 install path | `references/19-dev-workflow-testing.md` |
| `expo-maps`, web support / output modes (`single`/`static`/`server`), `expo-clipboard`/`sharing`/`print`/`mail-composer`/`sms`/`store-review`/`tracking-transparency`/`blur`/`linear-gradient` | `references/20-maps-web-utilities.md` |

If a task spans multiple domains (e.g. "build a screen that records audio and uploads it"), read each relevant file.

## Migration checklist (SDK 55 → 56)

When upgrading an existing app, work through this. Full detail in `references/01` §7 and the per-topic "Migration" sections.

1. **Bump & fix deps**: `npx expo install expo@^56.0.0 --fix`, then `npx expo-doctor@latest`. Confirm tooling minimums (Node ≥20.19.4, Xcode ≥26.4, iOS ≥16.4).
2. **Expo Router → no React Navigation**: run `npx expo-codemod sdk-56-expo-router-react-navigation-replace src`. Maps `@react-navigation/*` imports to `expo-router/*`. See `references/02` §1.
3. **Vector icons**: run `npx @react-native-vector-icons/codemod`; migrate `@expo/vector-icons` → scoped `@react-native-vector-icons/*`. The `expo` package no longer pulls in `@expo/vector-icons`. See `references/09` §4.
4. **`expo/fetch` is now default `fetch`**: audit code relying on RN fetch quirks; opt out with `EXPO_PUBLIC_USE_RN_FETCH=1` if needed. See `references/06` §6.
5. **`expo-file-system`**: `copy()`/`move()` are now async (use `copySync()`/`moveSync()` for old behavior); migrate to the new `File`/`Directory`/`Paths` API. See `references/06` §1 & §7.
6. **`expo-av` removed**: migrate Video → `expo-video`, Audio → `expo-audio`. See `references/12`.
7. **Calendar / Contacts / MediaLibrary**: old APIs deprecated and only importable from `/legacy` (throw at runtime otherwise); adopt the redesigned object-oriented APIs. See `references/07`.
8. **Notifications**: foreground handler now uses `shouldShowBanner`/`shouldShowList` (not `shouldShowAlert`); `expo-background-fetch` → `expo-background-task`. See `references/14`.
9. **DOM WebView**: `@expo/dom-webview` is the default (no longer needs `react-native-webview`).
10. **Hermes v1**: default engine; opt out via `useHermesV1: false` in `expo-build-properties` only if you hit issues.
11. **Reanimated 4**: now requires the separate `react-native-worklets` package. See `references/17`.

## Known discrepancies (read before trusting a single source)

The three previously-open items below were resolved by auditing the SDK 56 package sources (2026-07-06); kept here with their outcomes because they still catch out anyone reading only the rendered docs:
- **`android.usePrecompiledHeaders`**: **confirmed real** — it is defined in the `expo-build-properties` plugin config type (`pluginConfig.ts`) and implemented in `android.ts`, it's just absent from the auto-generated docs page. Use it. (Note `usePrecompiledModules` is the separate **iOS** key.) (`references/16` §5, `references/10` §2)
- **gesture-handler API**: SDK 56 pins 2.31.x whose canonical API is the `Gesture.Pan()` builder (confirmed by the v56 docs and monorepo examples). Ignore any newer `usePanGesture()` hook shown on the unversioned docs. Use the builder API. (`references/17`)
- **`expo-type-information` / typegen CLI**: **confirmed real** — package v0.0.5 (`packages/expo-type-information`), CLI binary `expo-type-information`, with commands `module-interface` / `inline-modules-interface` / `short-module-interface` (`inline-modules-interface` takes `--app-json`). Docs: `modules/type-generation-reference.mdx` + `modules/inline-modules-reference.mdx`. (`references/04`)
- Some changelog-only items (EAS per-step timing, "EAS Observe coming soon") have no dedicated docs page yet. (`references/10`, `references/18`)

## Conventions when generating code

- Use **TypeScript** and file-based routing (`expo-router`) unless the user's project clearly does otherwise.
- Install packages with `npx expo install ` (not bare `npm install`) so versions match the SDK.
- Use permission **hooks** where a package offers them (e.g. `useCameraPermissions`, `useAudioPermissions`) rather than imperative permission calls, and wire required permission strings/config-plugin props in `app.json`.
- Prefer the SDK 56 API surface (e.g. `expo-video`'s `useVideoPlayer`, file-system's `File`/`Paths`) over deprecated/legacy equivalents, and tell the user when you're avoiding a deprecated path.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [mahdi-salmanzade](https://github.com/mahdi-salmanzade)
- **Source:** [mahdi-salmanzade/expo56-skill](https://github.com/mahdi-salmanzade/expo56-skill)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-mahdi-salmanzade-expo56-skill-expo-56
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/mahdi-salmanzade
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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