React Native Guidelines
A structured repository for creating and maintaining React Native Best Practices optimized for agents and LLMs.
Structure
rules/- Individual rule files (one per rule)_sections.md- Section metadata (titles, impacts, descriptions)_template.md- Template for creating new rulesarea-description.md- Individual rule files
metadata.json- Document metadata (version, organization, abstract)AGENTS.md- Compiled output (generated)
Rules
Core Rendering (CRITICAL)
rendering-text-in-text-component.md- Wrap strings in Text componentsrendering-no-falsy-and.md- Avoid falsy && operator in JSX
List Performance (HIGH)
list-performance-virtualize.md- Use virtualized lists (LegendList, FlashList)list-performance-function-references.md- Keep stable object referenceslist-performance-callbacks.md- Hoist callbacks to list rootlist-performance-inline-objects.md- Avoid inline objects in renderItemlist-performance-item-memo.md- Pass primitives for memoizationlist-performance-item-expensive.md- Keep list items lightweightlist-performance-images.md- Use compressed images in listslist-performance-item-types.md- Use item types for heterogeneous lists
Animation (HIGH)
animation-gpu-properties.md- Animate transform/opacity instead of layoutanimation-gesture-detector-press.md- Use GestureDetector for press animationsanimation-derived-value.md- Prefer useDerivedValue over useAnimatedReaction
Scroll Performance (HIGH)
scroll-position-no-state.md- Never track scroll in useState
Navigation (HIGH)
navigation-native-navigators.md- Use native stack and native tabs
React State (MEDIUM)
react-state-dispatcher.md- Use functional setState updatesreact-state-fallback.md- State should represent user intent onlyreact-state-minimize.md- Minimize state variables, derive values
State Architecture (MEDIUM)
state-ground-truth.md- State must represent ground truth
React Compiler (MEDIUM)
react-compiler-destructure-functions.md- Destructure functions earlyreact-compiler-reanimated-shared-values.md- Use .get()/.set() for shared values
User Interface (MEDIUM)
ui-expo-image.md- Use expo-image for optimized imagesui-image-gallery.md- Use Galeria for lightbox/galleriesui-menus.md- Native dropdown and context menus with Zeegoui-native-modals.md- Use native Modal with formSheetui-pressable.md- Use Pressable instead of TouchableOpacityui-measure-views.md- Measuring view dimensionsui-safe-area-scroll.md- Use contentInsetAdjustmentBehaviorui-scrollview-content-inset.md- Use contentInset for dynamic spacingui-styling.md- Modern styling patterns (gap, boxShadow, gradients)
Design System (MEDIUM)
design-system-compound-components.md- Use compound components
Monorepo (LOW)
monorepo-native-deps-in-app.md- Install native deps in app directorymonorepo-single-dependency-versions.md- Single dependency versions
Third-Party Dependencies (LOW)
imports-design-system-folder.md- Import from design system folder
JavaScript (LOW)
js-hoist-intl.md- Hoist Intl formatter creation
Fonts (LOW)
fonts-config-plugin.md- Load fonts natively at build time
Creating a New Rule
- Copy
rules/_template.mdtorules/area-description.md - Choose the appropriate area prefix:
rendering-for Core Renderinglist-performance-for List Performanceanimation-for Animationscroll-for Scroll Performancenavigation-for Navigationreact-state-for React Statestate-for State Architecturereact-compiler-for React Compilerui-for User Interfacedesign-system-for Design Systemmonorepo-for Monorepoimports-for Third-Party Dependenciesjs-for JavaScriptfonts-for Fonts
- Fill in the frontmatter and content
- Ensure you have clear examples with explanations
Rule File Structure
Each rule file should follow this structure:
---
title: Rule Title Here
impact: MEDIUM
impactDescription: Optional description
tags: tag1, tag2, tag3
---
## Rule Title Here
Brief explanation of the rule and why it matters.
**Incorrect (description of what's wrong):**
```tsx
// Bad code example
```
Correct (description of what's right):
// Good code example
Reference: Link
## File Naming Convention
- Files starting with `_` are special (excluded from build)
- Rule files: `area-description.md` (e.g., `animation-gpu-properties.md`)
- Section is automatically inferred from filename prefix
- Rules are sorted alphabetically by title within each section
## Impact Levels
- `CRITICAL` - Highest priority, causes crashes or broken UI
- `HIGH` - Significant performance improvements
- `MEDIUM` - Moderate performance improvements
- `LOW` - Incremental improvements