How do you set up CI/CD for a React Native project?

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Setting Up CI/CD for a React Native Project

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) automate building, testing, and deploying React Native apps. Below is a step-by-step guide to setting up CI/CD using GitHub Actions, Fastlane, and cloud services like EAS, Bitrise, or App Center.

1. Choosing a CI/CD Tool

You can set up CI/CD using:

CI/CD Tool	Platform	Best For
GitHub Actions	Free for GitHub projects	Custom pipelines
Bitrise	Android & iOS	No need for macOS
EAS (Expo)	Expo apps	Easiest setup
App Center	Android & iOS	Microsoft ecosystem
Fastlane	Android & iOS	Advanced automation

2. CI/CD with GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions is a free way to automate builds and tests.

Step 1: Create a `.github/workflows/ci.yml` File

Inside your React Native project, create the following CI/CD workflow:

name: React Native CI/CD

on: 
  push:
    branches:
      - main
  pull_request:
    branches:
      - main

jobs:
  build-android:
    name: Build Android APK
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - name: Checkout Repository
        uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Set up Node.js
        uses: actions/setup-node@v3
        with:
          node-version: 18

      - name: Install Dependencies
        run: npm install

      - name: Build Android APK
        run: cd android && ./gradlew assembleRelease

      - name: Upload APK
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
        with:
          name: app-release.apk
          path: android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

  build-ios:
    name: Build iOS IPA
    runs-on: macos-latest
    steps:
      - name: Checkout Repository
        uses: actions/checkout@v3

      - name: Install Dependencies
        run: npm install

      - name: Install CocoaPods
        run: cd ios && pod install

      - name: Build iOS App
        run: xcodebuild -workspace ios/App.xcworkspace -scheme App -sdk iphoneos -configuration Release archive -archivePath ios/build/App.xcarchive

      - name: Upload IPA
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v3
        with:
          name: app-release.ipa
          path: ios/build/App.xcarchive

* This workflow :

Runs on every push to main
Builds APK and IPA files
Uploads them as artifacts for download

3. Automating Deployments with Fastlane

Fastlane helps deploy your app to Google Play Store and App Store.

Step 1: Install Fastlane

npm install -g fastlane

Step 2: Setup for Android

cd android
fastlane init

Then, create android/fastlane/Fastfile with:

platform :android do
  desc "Build and upload APK to Play Store"
  lane :deploy do
    gradle(task: "assembleRelease")
    upload_to_play_store(track: "production")
  end
end

Run:

fastlane android deploy

Step 3: Setup for iOS

cd ios
fastlane init

Modify ios/fastlane/Fastfile:

platform :ios do
  desc "Build and upload IPA to App Store"
  lane :deploy do
    gym(scheme: "App")
    upload_to_app_store
  end
end

Run:

fastlane ios deploy

* Fastlane automates signing, building, and uploading your app!

4. CI/CD with Expo EAS (For Expo Projects)

Step 1: Install EAS CLI

npm install -g eas-cli
eas login

Step 2: Configure EAS

eas build:configure

Step 3: Build & Deploy

eas build -p android
eas submit -p android

* This uploads the app directly to the Play Store/App Store!

5. Using Bitrise (No Mac Needed)

Bitrise is a cloud-based CI/CD tool for React Native.

Steps :

Create a Bitrise account → https://www.bitrise.io/
Connect your GitHub repo
Add a new workflow for Android/iOS
Start a build (Bitrise handles everything!)

* Great for teams that don’t have macOS!

Summary of CI/CD Tools

Tool	Setup Time	Best For
GitHub Actions	Medium	Free, custom builds
Fastlane	Medium	Play Store/App Store uploads
EAS (Expo)	Easy	Expo apps
Bitrise	Easy	No Mac needed
App Center	Medium	Microsoft ecosystem