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Installation Guide

This guide will help you configure your system to develop React Native applications using Expo.

System Requirements​

RequirementMinimumRecommendedNotes
Operating SystemWindows 10 / macOS 12+Windows 11 / macOS 13+64-bit OS required
RAM8 GB16 GBEmulators require more memory
Free Disk Space15 GB25+ GBAndroid Studio may use 8–10 GB
Node.jsv20 LTSv24.14.0 LTSInstall using NVM
GitLatestLatestRequired to clone repository
Android StudioLatest StableLatest StableRecommended for Windows
XcodeLatestLatestRecommended for macOS
info

Web support works on both macOS and Windows.
If emulator setup fails, you can continue using Web during the workshop.

Browser​

  • Google Chrome (recommended)

What You’ll Be Able to Do​

  • Run apps on Web
  • Run apps on Android Emulator (recommended for Windows)
  • Run apps on iOS Simulator (recommended for macOS)
  1. Install NVM
  2. Install Node using NVM
  3. Clone workshop repository
  4. Test Web
  5. Configure recommended emulator for your OS

Development Operating System​

Windows Setup

On Windows, Android Studio (Android Emulator) is recommended. If Android setup fails, Web works perfectly fine.

Step 1: Install NVM for Windows​

Download:

https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases

Restart terminal and verify:

nvm version

Step 2: Install Node​

nvm install 24.14.0
nvm use 24.14.0

Verify:

node -v
npm -v

Step 3: Install Git (If Needed)​

Download:

https://git-scm.com/

Verify:

git --version

Step 4: Clone Workshop Repository​

git clone https://github.com/nupur-trivedi-11/habit-app.git
cd habit_app
npm install

Step 5: Test Web​

npx expo start --web

If the browser does not open, press:

w

If Web runs successfully, your setup is ready.

JDK Installation​

React Native Android requires JDK 17. Follow the steps below to install and configure it.

Step 1: Install JDK 17​

Download and install JDK 17:

https://download.oracle.com/java/17/archive/jdk-17.0.12_windows-x64_bin.exe

Install using default settings.

Step 2: Find Installation Path​

After installation, JDK is typically located at:

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17.0.12

Step 3: Set JAVA_HOME​

  1. Open Start Menu
  2. Search for Environment Variables
  3. Click Edit the system environment variables
  4. Click Environment Variables

Add a new System Variable:

  • Variable Name: JAVA_HOME
  • Variable Value:
C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17.0.12

Step 4: Update Path Variable​

  1. In System Variables, find Path
  2. Click Edit
  3. Add a new entry:
%JAVA_HOME%\bin

Step 5: Configure Android Studio​

  1. Open Android Studio
  2. Navigate to:
File → Settings → Build, Execution, Deployment → Build Tools → Gradle
  1. Under Gradle JDK, select:
jdk-17

If it is not visible, download JDK or manually select the installed path.

Step 6: Verify Installation​

Open Command Prompt and run:

java -version
javac -version

The output should show Java 17.

Follow below expo guideline to install android emulator

Expo Android Studio Installation guide

Run on Android Emulator​

npx expo start

Press:

a

If the emulator does not launch or is slow, continue using Web.

Emergency Fallback​

If installation fails completely, use:

https://snack.expo.dev/@nupur.tr/habit-app-starter

No local installation required.

Final Verification Checklist​

Before the workshop, confirm:

  • nvm --version works
  • node -v works
  • npm install completes successfully
  • npx expo start --web runs
  • Recommended emulator launches (optional)

If Web runs successfully, your environment is ready.