Build and distribute Expo development clients locally or via TestFlight
View on GitHubexpo/skills
expo-app-design
January 20, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/expo/skills/blob/main/plugins/expo-app-design/skills/expo-dev-client/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill expo-dev-clientInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/expo-dev-client/Use EAS Build to create development clients for testing native code changes on physical devices. Use this for creating custom Expo Go clients for testing branches of your app.
## Important: When Development Clients Are Needed
**Only create development clients when your app requires custom native code.** Most apps work fine in Expo Go.
You need a dev client ONLY when using:
- Local Expo modules (custom native code)
- Apple targets (widgets, app clips, extensions)
- Third-party native modules not in Expo Go
**Try Expo Go first** with `npx expo start`. If everything works, you don't need a dev client.
## EAS Configuration
Ensure `eas.json` has a development profile:
```json
{
"cli": {
"version": ">= 16.0.1",
"appVersionSource": "remote"
},
"build": {
"production": {
"autoIncrement": true
},
"development": {
"autoIncrement": true,
"developmentClient": true
}
},
"submit": {
"production": {},
"development": {}
}
}
```
Key settings:
- `developmentClient: true` - Bundles expo-dev-client for development builds
- `autoIncrement: true` - Automatically increments build numbers
- `appVersionSource: "remote"` - Uses EAS as the source of truth for version numbers
## Building for TestFlight
Build iOS dev client and submit to TestFlight in one command:
```bash
eas build -p ios --profile development --submit
```
This will:
1. Build the development client in the cloud
2. Automatically submit to App Store Connect
3. Send you an email when the build is ready in TestFlight
After receiving the TestFlight email:
1. Download the build from TestFlight on your device
2. Launch the app to see the expo-dev-client UI
3. Connect to your local Metro bundler or scan a QR code
## Building Locally
Build a development client on your machine:
```bash
# iOS (requires Xcode)
eas build -p ios --profile development --local
# Android
eas build -p android --profile development --local
```
Local builds output:
- iOS: `.ipa` file
-