react-native-core

React Native Core

Based on React Native docs as of 2026.

See also:

• Ecosystem libraries (navigation, state, TanStack Query, Reanimated) → react-native-ecosystem
• Expo SDK and EAS tooling → react-native-expo
• Deep performance work (FPS, bundle, TTI, memory, native) → react-native-performance
• React Native Testing Library deep dive → react-native-testing

React Native lets you build mobile apps using only JavaScript. It uses the same design as React, letting you compose a rich mobile UI from declarative components. With React Native, you build a real mobile app that's indistinguishable from an app built using Objective-C or Java.

Core References

Topic	Description	Reference
Core Components	View, Text, Image, TextInput, ScrollView — fundamental UI building blocks	core-components
Layout with Flexbox	Flexbox layout system for positioning and aligning components	core-layout
Styling	StyleSheet API for creating and organizing component styles	core-styling

Features

Animations

Topic	Description	Reference
Animated API	Built-in Animated API — timing, spring, composition (use Reanimated v3 for complex cases)	features-animations
Easing Functions	Easing functions for custom animation curves and natural motion	features-easing

User Interactions

Topic	Description	Reference
Touch Handling	Pressable, Touchable components, and gesture responders for handling user input	features-touch-handling
Keyboard	Keyboard API for handling keyboard events, dismissing keyboard, and KeyboardAvoidingView	features-keyboard

UI Components

Topic	Description	Reference
Additional Components	Modal, Switch, ActivityIndicator, RefreshControl for dialogs, toggles, loading states	components-ui

Data Display

Topic	Description	Reference
Lists	FlatList and SectionList for efficiently rendering large, scrollable lists	features-lists

Styling and Theming

Topic	Description	Reference
Colors and Theming	Colors, PlatformColor, Appearance API for theming and dark mode support	features-colors-theming

Platform Integration

Topic	Description	Reference
Platform APIs	Linking, Dimensions, Platform detection, AppState, and native integrations	features-platform-apis
Network	Fetch API for HTTP requests (production apps: Axios + TanStack Query)	features-network
StatusBar	Control status bar appearance, style, and visibility	features-statusbar
Share & Vibration	Native share dialog and device vibration for haptic feedback	features-share-vibration
Timers	setTimeout, setInterval, requestAnimationFrame for scheduling and delays	features-timers
Platform-Specific APIs	Android (ToastAndroid, DrawerLayoutAndroid) and iOS (ActionSheetIOS) native patterns	features-platform-specific

Accessibility

Topic	Description	Reference
Accessibility	Screen reader support, accessibility labels, roles, and states	features-accessibility

Advanced Styling

Topic	Description	Reference
Transforms	2D and 3D transforms for rotation, scale, translation, and skew	features-transforms

Architecture

Topic	Description	Reference
New Architecture	Fabric, JSI, TurboModules — default since RN 0.76, what it means for your code	features-new-architecture

Best Practices

Topic	Description	Reference
Debugging	React Native DevTools, LogBox, Dev Menu, and debugging techniques	best-practices-debugging

Key Recommendations

• Use StyleSheet.create() for all styles instead of inline objects
• Use FlatList instead of ScrollView for long lists
• Use Pressable for new touch interactions (preferred over deprecated Touchable components)
• Animations: the built-in Animated API suffices for simple cases; use Reanimated v3 for complex or gesture-driven animations
• Permissions: use react-native-permissions for cross-platform permission handling instead of the low-level PermissionsAndroid
• Handle platform differences with Platform.select() and Platform.OS
• Test on real devices — simulator behavior may differ from actual devices
• Use TypeScript for better type safety and developer experience
• New Architecture is default in RN 0.76+ — Fabric, JSI, and TurboModules are active; check library compatibility