argent-react-native-app-workflow

name	argent-react-native-app-workflow
description	Step-by-step workflows for developing or debugging React Native apps on iOS simulator or Android emulator. Use when starting the app, debugging Metro, fixing builds, diagnosing runtime errors, or running tests.

1. Starting the React Native App

1.1 Explore Configuration (MANDATORY — Do This First)

Before running commands, read the project's build and run configuration from the argent-environment-inspector subagent result.

Do NOT default to npx react-native start or npx react-native run-ios without first checking for custom scripts and workflows.

Manual fallback (if neither the agent nor the tool is available): read ALL package.json scripts — look for custom scripts like start:local, start:dev, ios, build:ios, flavors, etc. Custom scripts take priority over default commands. Also check metro.config.js for non-default port or watchFolders. For iOS builds, prefer opening .xcworkspace over .xcodeproj (CocoaPods generates the workspace).

If the project structure is convoluted, ask the user before proceeding.

Remember the workflow: Once you discover the project's build/run workflow, save it to project memory so you don't need to re-discover it each time.

Checklist before start:

• node_modules present (if not: npm install or yarn)
• For iOS: ios/Podfile exists; if ios/Pods missing or stale, run cd ios && pod install && cd ..
• No conflicting Metro on default port (see 1.2)

1.2 Start Metro

1. Check whether metro is already running on port found in configuration and if it is - do not start another server. Refer to point 2.1.

2. Use the project's custom start script if one exists (e.g. npm run start:local, yarn start:dev). Fall back to default commands if no custom scripts are defined:

   npx react-native start
   

   Optional: npx react-native start --reset-cache if cache issues are suspected.

3. Verify Metro is ready: use the debugger-status tool to verify Metro is running and reachable.

4. Projects with flavors or custom configs: Use project-specific start script if present (e.g. npm run start:local), and start Metro before running the app.

1.3 Run the App

In a separate terminal (Metro keeps running in the first):

Use the project's custom build/run script if one exists (e.g. npm run ios, npm run android, yarn ios:debug). Only fall back to the defaults below if no custom scripts are defined.

Pass the target device explicitly — derive it from list-devices (see <device_selection_rule>):

npx react-native run-ios --simulator="<name>"        # iOS (or --udid <UDID>)
npx react-native run-android --deviceId=<adb-serial> # Android

Android only: after install, run adb -s <serial> reverse tcp:<metro-port> tcp:<metro-port> with the Metro port you detected in §2.1 (default 8081) so the emulator/device can reach Metro on your host. Repeat if the device restarts or adb drops.

Agent checklist:

• Metro is already running and shows "ready"
• Command run from project root
• If the device isn't booted yet: use boot-device with the iOS udid or Android avdName. Refer to the argent-ios-simulator-setup / argent-android-emulator-setup skill.
• Android: adb -s <serial> reverse tcp:<metro-port> tcp:<metro-port> done (same port Metro runs on).

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2. Ensuring / Debugging Metro

2.1 Check for Existing Metro

Before starting Metro, avoid "port already in use" errors. Default port to check is :8081, infer the port from documentation:

lsof -i :PORT

• No output → Port free; safe to start Metro.
• Output with PID → Another process is using the port.

Use the debugger-status tool to check whether the process on that port is actually a Metro server. If not Metro — ask the user whether you may kill the process.

To kill a Metro process, use the stop-metro tool (requires user confirmation).

2.2 Confirm Correct Server Connection

• App must point at the same host/port as the running Metro. Default: same machine, port 8081.
• iOS Simulator: By default uses localhost; no extra config needed for same-machine Metro.

Verify Metro is reachable: use the debugger-status tool.

2.3 Reload the App (Ensure New Bundle)

After code or config changes, the app must load the new bundle:

Method	How
Reload tool	Use the debugger-reload-metro tool
Restart app	Use the restart-app tool, or kill the app in simulator and run npx react-native run-ios again

Agent checklist:

• Only one Metro process (no duplicate on port)
• App was started after Metro was ready
• When needing to reload: refer to 2.3

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3. Build / Install / Retry (React Native & iOS Native)

3.1 When Build Fails (e.g. xcodebuild exit code 65)

Order of operations (simplest first):

1. Clean build folder, then retry the build command
2. Clear caches and reinstall dependencies without deleting lockfiles: reset Metro cache, watchman watch-del-all, remove node_modules, reinstall from the lockfile (npm ci, or the package manager's frozen/immutable install), then cd ios && rm -rf build Pods && pod install — keep Podfile.lock. Deleting lockfiles re-resolves dependency versions and changes the build; do it only as a last resort with explicit user approval.
3. CocoaPods issues: pod deintegrate then pod install --repo-update
4. Open ios/*.xcworkspace in Xcode for detailed errors in the Report navigator

3.2 When to Ask the User

After 2-3 failed build or run attempts, STOP and ask the user for guidance. The user may know about required env vars, Xcode version requirements, custom build configurations, monorepo-specific setup, or required external services.

If the project structure is convoluted and the correct build approach is not obvious, ask the user early rather than guessing.

3.3 Saving Build Workflow for Later

Once you discover the correct build/run workflow for a project, save it to project memory. Capture: commands to start Metro, commands to build/run the app, and any required environment setup.

3.4 When to Reinstall vs Refresh

Situation	Action
JS/React only changed	Use debugger-reload-metro tool. No rebuild.
Native code or pod install / project config changed	Rebuild: npx react-native run-ios (Metro can stay running).
node_modules or package.json changed	npm install, then if native deps changed run cd ios && pod install. Then rebuild.
App needs reinstalling from .app path	Use reinstall-app tool with UDID, bundle ID, and .app path.
Persistent native build errors	Full clean + reinstall (step 2 above).

3.5 Device Control

Action	Tool / Command
List devices	list-devices tool (iOS + Android)
Boot an iOS simulator	boot-device tool with udid
Boot an Android emulator	boot-device tool with avdName
Launch an app	launch-app tool (pass device id + bundle id / package name)
Restart an app	restart-app tool (pass device id + bundle id / package name)
Open a URL / deep link	open-url tool (pass device id + URL)
Rotate device	rotate tool
Stop simulator server	stop-simulator-server tool (iOS UDID or Android serial — one device)
Stop all simulator servers	stop-all-simulator-servers tool (iOS + Android)

For full simulator setup workflow, refer to the argent-ios-simulator-setup skill.

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4. Runtime Problems in the App

4.1 Where to Look

Problem type	Tool / Where to look
JavaScript errors / logs	Use debugger-log-registry to get a summary and log file path, then search it with scoped Grep queries (range-limited Read only for specific matches — never read the file in full; see the argent-metro-debugger skill §5).
React component hierarchy	Use debugger-component-tree tool for a text tree, or debugger-inspect-element at specific logical pixel coordinates (not normalized 0-1).
Visual state of the app	Use screenshot tool to capture the current screen, but prefer describe or debugger-component-tree for actual navigation and target discovery. If a permission prompt or system-owned modal overlay is not exposed reliably, then fall back to screenshot.
Evaluate JS in the app	Use debugger-evaluate tool to run JavaScript in the app's runtime.
Native crashes / native stack	npx react-native log-ios or iOS Simulator: Debug → Open System Log.
Build/runtime config	metro.config.js, babel.config.js, package.json scripts, ios/Podfile.

For comprehensive Metro debugging workflows (component inspection, console logs, JS evaluation), refer to the argent-metro-debugger skill.

4.2 JS Console Logs (Log Registry)

Logs are written to a flat log file on disk under ~/.argent/tmp/. Use the log-registry → grep pattern instead of reading logs inline.

For the full workflow, flat entry format, and grep examples, see argent-metro-debugger skill §5.

4.3 Do not try to use the DevMenu in React Native apps by default.

Use the argent tools instead.

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5. Testing the App

Check the argent-environment-inspector result for test commands. For interactive UI testing with automatic screenshot verification, use the argent-test-ui-flow skill.

• Unit tests: Look for Jest in package.json ("test": "jest", jest config). Run: npm test or yarn test.
• E2E: Look for Detox (.detoxrc.js or similar), or other E2E config. Dependencies: detox, detox-cli, and for iOS often applesimutils.
• Visible UI changes: Use argent-test-ui-flow for manual QA. For screenshot-diff rules and parameters, follow the argent-screenshot-diff skill. Use it when stable before/after screenshots add meaningful pixel-visible evidence.
• UI flow testing: For interactive UI testing with automatic screenshot verification, refer to the argent-test-ui-flow skill.

5.2 Running Tests (Typical)

If the user's intent is ambiguous (run existing tests, write new tests, or find missing coverage), clarify before proceeding.

• Jest: npm test or npx jest.
• Detox (example):
  • Build: detox build --configuration ios.sim.release (or debug).
  • Run: detox test --configuration ios.sim.release.
  • Ensure simulator is booted and not used by another process.

5.3 Agent Testing Checklist

• Read package.json and test config (Jest, Detox, etc.).
• If E2E: confirm simulator/device and build config.
• If unclear: clarify whether to use existing workflows or write new tests.

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Quick Reference: Tools & Commands

Goal	Tool / Command
Check port 8081	lsof -i :8081
Kill Metro	stop-metro tool
Start Metro	npx react-native start
Start Metro (reset cache)	npx react-native start --reset-cache
Run iOS app	npx react-native run-ios
Run Android app	npx react-native run-android
List devices	list-devices tool (iOS + Android)
Boot a device	boot-device tool (pass udid for iOS or avdName for Android)
Take screenshot	screenshot tool
Compare visible UI changes	screenshot-diff tool; follow the argent-screenshot-diff skill for baseline/current capture choices
Describe screen (a11y tree)	describe tool for normal app screens and in-app modals; use screenshot only when permission/system overlays are not exposed reliably
Read JS console logs	debugger-log-registry tool
Reload JS bundle	debugger-reload-metro tool
Check Metro status	debugger-status tool
Inspect React component tree	debugger-component-tree tool
Run JS in app	debugger-evaluate tool
iOS native logs	npx react-native log-ios
Android native logs	npx react-native log-android or adb -s <serial> logcat
Clean + reinstall (nuclear)	See §3.1 step 3

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Related Skills

Skill	When to use
argent-ios-simulator-setup	Initial iOS simulator boot and connection setup
argent-android-emulator-setup	Initial Android emulator boot and connection setup
argent-device-interact	Tapping, swiping, typing, hardware buttons, gestures on the simulator/emulator
argent-metro-debugger	JS-runtime CDP debugging (Metro on iOS / Android; the four ported tools also drive Chromium/CDP apps): component inspection, console logs, JS evaluation
argent-react-native-profiler	Profiling performance, finding re-render issues, CPU hotspots
argent-test-ui-flow	Interactive UI testing with automatic screenshot verification after each action

Ask the user before running tests: confirm which test suite (unit, E2E, or both), whether to use existing CI commands, and whether they want you to run existing tests, write new ones, or explore test cases yourself.