Builds

Create the iOS and Android simulator builds Sherlo tests, using EAS Build, the React Native CLI, or native build tools.

Make your builds testable​

To test your app, your builds must:

• include Storybook, with setup completed
• be runnable on simulators (Android: .apk, iOS: .app)

Choose a build for your testing method​

Select a build type based on your chosen testing method:

Preview simulator

Description

These builds include the JavaScript bundle, containing all the code needed to run the app.

Compatible testing methods

StandardEAS Cloud Build

How to build?

EAS Build

Build profile

Add the following build profile to your eas.json:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "preview-simulator": {
      "android": { "buildType": "apk", "withoutCredentials": true },
      "ios": { "simulator": true }
    }
  }
}

Local

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app locally:

Android

Terminal

npx eas-cli build \
  --local \
  --profile preview-simulator \
  --platform android \
  --output builds/android.apk

Build output: builds/android.apk

iOS

Terminal

npx eas-cli build \
  --local \
  --profile preview-simulator \
  --platform ios \
  --output builds/ios.tar.gz

Build output: builds/ios.tar.gz

note

EAS Build compresses iOS builds (.app) into .tar.gz files.

Cloud

Build command

Run this command to build your app on Expo servers:

Terminal

npx eas-cli build --profile preview-simulator --platform all

note

Use the --platform option to select only the platforms you plan to test.

React Native CLI

Native directories

Requires exposed android/ and ios/ directories with native code.

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app:

Android

Terminal

npx react-native run-android --mode Release

Build output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

iOS

Terminal

npx react-native run-ios --mode Release --buildFolder app

Build output: ios/app/Build/Products/Release-iphonesimulator/YourApp.app

Native build tools

Native directories

Requires exposed android/ and ios/ directories with native code.

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app:

Android

Terminal

cd android && ./gradlew assembleRelease

Build output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk

iOS

Terminal

cd ios && xcodebuild \
  -workspace YourWorkspace.xcworkspace \
  -scheme YourScheme \
  -configuration Release \
  -sdk iphonesimulator \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
  -derivedDataPath app

Build output: ios/app/Build/Products/Release-iphonesimulator/YourApp.app

Pass build paths via --android/--ios flags or sherlo.config.json
(For EAS Cloud Build, builds are passed automatically)

Development simulator

Description

These builds exclude the JavaScript bundle, allowing dynamic over-the-air (OTA) code loading at runtime.

Compatible testing methods

EAS Update

How to build?

EAS Build

Build profile

Add the following build profile to your eas.json:

eas.json

{
  "build": {
    "development-simulator": {
      "android": { "buildType": "apk", "withoutCredentials": true },
      "ios": { "simulator": true },
      "developmentClient": true
    }
  }
}

Local

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app locally:

Android

Terminal

npx eas-cli build \
  --local \
  --profile development-simulator \
  --platform android \
  --output builds/android.apk

Build output: builds/android.apk

iOS

Terminal

npx eas-cli build \
  --local \
  --profile development-simulator \
  --platform ios \
  --output builds/ios.tar.gz

Build output: builds/ios.tar.gz

note

EAS Build compresses iOS builds (.app) into .tar.gz files.

Cloud

Build command

Run this command to build your app on Expo servers:

Terminal

npx eas-cli build --profile development-simulator --platform all

note

Use the --platform option to select only the platforms you plan to test.

React Native CLI

Native directories

Requires exposed android/ and ios/ directories with native code.

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app:

Android

Terminal

npx react-native run-android --mode Debug

Build output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk

iOS

Terminal

npx react-native run-ios --mode Debug --buildFolder app

Build output: ios/app/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/YourApp.app

Native build tools

Native directories

Requires exposed android/ and ios/ directories with native code.

Build commands

Run these commands to build your app:

Android

Terminal

cd android && ./gradlew assembleDebug

Build output: android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk

iOS

Terminal

cd ios && xcodebuild \
  -workspace YourWorkspace.xcworkspace \
  -scheme YourScheme \
  -configuration Debug \
  -sdk iphonesimulator \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS Simulator' \
  -derivedDataPath app

Build output: ios/app/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/YourApp.app

Pass build paths via --android/--ios flags or sherlo.config.json