Expo is a universal mobile framework designed to build native iOS and Android applications from a single codebase using web-standard technologies. It provides a comprehensive development environment that includes a unified runtime for testing, cloud-based infrastructure for compiling and signing native binaries, and automated tools for managing the entire mobile release lifecycle, including app store submission.
The framework distinguishes itself through a plugin-based native configuration engine that programmatically modifies project files, allowing developers to integrate native modules without manual intervention. It also features a file-based routing system that maps directory structures directly to navigation paths, and an over-the-air update service that enables the deployment of JavaScript and asset changes directly to user devices, bypassing traditional app store review cycles.
Beyond these core capabilities, the platform offers a wide range of integrated services for managing project metadata, environment variables, and persistent data storage. It includes a robust set of UI components and utilities for handling hardware-level features such as camera access, geolocation, audio and video playback, and push notifications. Developers can also leverage managed cloud services to orchestrate custom build profiles and automate CI/CD workflows.
The project is managed via a command-line interface that facilitates project setup, native module integration, and the generation of custom development builds. Documentation and tooling are provided to support both standalone applications and the integration of Expo into existing native projects.
