rn-project-cli

React Native Project CLI

A powerful CLI tool for creating React Native/Expo projects with optional NativeWind/TailwindCSS setup, optimized for WebStorm integration.

Installation

Global Installation (Recommended)

npm install -g rn-project-cli

Local Installation

# Clone or download this repository
cd rn-project-cli
npm install
npm install -g .

Quick Install (Windows - One-Click)

• Double-click install.bat - This will install the CLI globally
• Or run manually: npm install -g .

Updating the Package

To update to the latest version of rn-project-cli:

Update to Latest Version

npm install -g rn-project-cli@latest

Or simply:

npm update -g rn-project-cli

Check Current Version

npm list -g rn-project-cli

Or check the version from the CLI:

rn-create --version

Update to Specific Version

npm install -g rn-project-cli@1.0.2

Verify Update

After updating, verify the installation:

rn-create

You should see the help message with the latest features.

Usage

Basic Usage

# Create a new Expo project
rn-create my-app

# The CLI will prompt you to setup NativeWind/TailwindCSS
# Answer 'yes' or 'no' when prompted

Command Line Options

# Skip npm install (faster project creation)
rn-create my-app --no-install

# Use a specific template
rn-create my-app --template tabs

# Automatically setup NativeWind/TailwindCSS (skip prompt)
rn-create my-app --nativewind

# Skip NativeWind setup (skip prompt)
rn-create my-app --no-nativewind

# Combine options
rn-create my-app --template tabs --nativewind
rn-create my-app --template blank --no-install --no-nativewind

NativeWind/TailwindCSS Setup

The CLI can automatically set up NativeWind and TailwindCSS for your project. When you run rn-create, you'll be prompted:

? Would you like to setup NativeWind/TailwindCSS? (y/N)

If you answer yes, the CLI will:

• ✅ Install nativewind and tailwindcss packages
• ✅ Create tailwind.config.js with proper configuration
• ✅ Create global.css with Tailwind directives
• ✅ Update babel.config.js with NativeWind plugin
• ✅ Update metro.config.js with CSS transformer
• ✅ Import global.css in your root component

Usage Example:

import { View, Text } from 'react-native';

export default function App() {
  return (
    <View className="flex-1 items-center justify-center bg-white">
      <Text className="text-2xl font-bold text-blue-500">
        Hello NativeWind!
      </Text>
    </View>
  );
}

Batch File (WebStorm Compatible)

You can also use the batch file directly:

rn-create.bat my-app
rn-create.bat my-app --no-install
rn-create.bat my-app --template tabs
rn-create.bat my-app --nativewind

Publishing to npm

To publish this package to npm:

• Update package.json (if needed):

  • Set your name/email in author field
  • Update repository.url with your git repository
  • Bump version number

• Login to npm:

  npm login
  

• Publish:

  npm publish
  

• After publishing, users can install globally:

  npm install -g rn-project-cli
  

WebStorm Setup

Option 1: External Tool (Recommended)

• Open WebStorm
• Go to File → Settings → Tools → External Tools
• Click + to add a new tool
• Configure:
  • Name: Create React Native Project
  • Description: Create a new React Native/Expo project
  • Program: rn-create (if installed globally) or path to rn-create.bat
  • Arguments: $Prompt$
  • Working directory: $ProjectFileDir$
• Click OK

Usage in WebStorm:

• Right-click in Project Explorer → External Tools → Create React Native Project
• Enter project name when prompted (e.g., my-app or my-app --nativewind)

Option 2: Run Configuration

• Go to Run → Edit Configurations
• Click + → Shell Script
• Configure:
  • Name: Create RN Project
  • Script path: Path to rn-create.bat or rn-create command
  • Script options: $Prompt$
  • Working directory: $ProjectFileDir$

Command Options

• --no-install: Skip automatic npm install (useful for faster project creation)
• --template <name>: Use a specific Expo template (blank, tabs, etc.)
• --nativewind: Automatically setup NativeWind/TailwindCSS (skip interactive prompt)
• --no-nativewind: Skip NativeWind setup (skip interactive prompt)

Examples

# Basic project (will prompt for NativeWind)
rn-create uber_clone

# Skip install for faster setup
rn-create uber_clone --no-install

# Use tabs template with NativeWind
rn-create my-app --template tabs --nativewind

# Full example
rn-create uber_clone --template blank --no-install --nativewind

# Skip NativeWind setup
rn-create my-app --no-nativewind

Troubleshooting

CLI not found after installation

If rn-create command is not found:

• Make sure Node.js global bin directory is in your PATH
• Or use rn-create.bat directly instead
• Try: npm config get prefix to find global install location

Permission errors

If you get permission errors during installation:

• Run install.bat as Administrator
• Or run: npm install -g . as Administrator
• On macOS/Linux: Use sudo npm install -g .

NativeWind not working

If NativeWind classes aren't working:

• Make sure global.css is imported in your root component
• Check that babel.config.js includes 'nativewind/babel' plugin
• Verify metro.config.js has cssToReactNativeRuntime: true
• Restart Metro bundler: npx expo start --clear

Notes

• Projects are created in the current working directory
• The tool automatically validates project names and checks for existing directories
• NativeWind setup works with both JavaScript and TypeScript projects
• The CLI automatically detects your project structure (App.js, App.tsx, app/_layout.tsx, etc.)

License

MIT