Files

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 rules
    • area-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 components
  • rendering-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 references
  • list-performance-callbacks.md - Hoist callbacks to list root
  • list-performance-inline-objects.md - Avoid inline objects in renderItem
  • list-performance-item-memo.md - Pass primitives for memoization
  • list-performance-item-expensive.md - Keep list items lightweight
  • list-performance-images.md - Use compressed images in lists
  • list-performance-item-types.md - Use item types for heterogeneous lists

Animation (HIGH)

  • animation-gpu-properties.md - Animate transform/opacity instead of layout
  • animation-gesture-detector-press.md - Use GestureDetector for press animations
  • animation-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 updates
  • react-state-fallback.md - State should represent user intent only
  • react-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 early
  • react-compiler-reanimated-shared-values.md - Use .get()/.set() for shared values

User Interface (MEDIUM)

  • ui-expo-image.md - Use expo-image for optimized images
  • ui-image-gallery.md - Use Galeria for lightbox/galleries
  • ui-menus.md - Native dropdown and context menus with Zeego
  • ui-native-modals.md - Use native Modal with formSheet
  • ui-pressable.md - Use Pressable instead of TouchableOpacity
  • ui-measure-views.md - Measuring view dimensions
  • ui-safe-area-scroll.md - Use contentInsetAdjustmentBehavior
  • ui-scrollview-content-inset.md - Use contentInset for dynamic spacing
  • ui-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 directory
  • monorepo-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

  1. Copy rules/_template.md to rules/area-description.md
  2. Choose the appropriate area prefix:
    • rendering- for Core Rendering
    • list-performance- for List Performance
    • animation- for Animation
    • scroll- for Scroll Performance
    • navigation- for Navigation
    • react-state- for React State
    • state- for State Architecture
    • react-compiler- for React Compiler
    • ui- for User Interface
    • design-system- for Design System
    • monorepo- for Monorepo
    • imports- for Third-Party Dependencies
    • js- for JavaScript
    • fonts- for Fonts
  3. Fill in the frontmatter and content
  4. 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