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Expo + TanStack + Zustand rules for AI coding agents

Full stack: Expo (React Native) + TanStack Query + Zustand + Jest

Ready-to-commit rules for Expo (React Native) + TanStack Query + Zustand + Jest in every major format: AGENTS.md (Codex, Cursor, Copilot), CLAUDE.md (Claude Code), Cursor .mdc project rules, legacy .cursorrules, Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md. Expo with TanStack Query for server state and Zustand for UI state.

Last reviewed 2026-10-21 · Customise in the generator · Raw: AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md

The mistake agents make most on this stack

Server data gets duplicated into Zustand and goes stale.

Generated files

AGENTS.md
# AGENTS.md - this project

Instructions for AI coding agents working in this repository.

## Project

A Expo (React Native) + TanStack Query + Zustand + Jest project.

Stack: Expo (React Native), TanStack Query, Zustand, Jest.

## Commands

- Start dev server: `npx expo start`
- Add a native-compatible package: `npx expo install <package>`
- Check project health: `npx expo-doctor`
- Type-check: `npx tsc --noEmit`
- Unit tests: `npx jest`

## Project structure

- Screens are files in `app/` (Expo Router). Layouts are `_layout.tsx`.
- Reusable components in `components/`, hooks in `hooks/`.

## How to work in this repo

- Read the relevant files before editing. Follow the patterns already in the codebase over these generic rules.
- Make the smallest change that solves the task. Do not refactor or reformat unrelated code.
- Before saying a task is done, run the type-check, lint and tests listed under Commands and fix what you broke.
- If requirements are ambiguous, ask one clear question instead of guessing.
- Never commit secrets, API keys or `.env` files. Use env vars and keep `.env.example` up to date.
- Do not add a new dependency when the standard library or an existing dependency already covers it.
- Ask before adding, removing or upgrading any dependency.
- Ask before changing database schemas, auth, payments or CI configuration.
- Never delete files, drop data or run destructive commands (`rm -rf`, `git push --force`, `DROP TABLE`) without explicit approval.
- Keep each change under ~200 changed lines where possible; split larger work into steps.

## Expo (React Native)

- Install packages with `npx expo install` so versions match the Expo SDK.
- Use Expo Router for navigation (`<Link>`, `router.push`). Do not add React Navigation manually unless it is already in use.
- Use React Native primitives (`View`, `Text`, `Pressable`) only. No DOM elements.
- Use `FlatList` / `FlashList` for long lists, never `.map()` inside a `ScrollView`.
- Wrap screens in safe-area handling (`react-native-safe-area-context`).
- Env vars must start with `EXPO_PUBLIC_` to reach the app, so they are public. Keep secrets on a server.
- Store tokens with `expo-secure-store`, not AsyncStorage.
- Do not edit `ios/` or `android/` by hand when using Continuous Native Generation; use config plugins in `app.json` / `app.config.ts`.

## TanStack Query

- All server data goes through `useQuery` / `useMutation`; do not copy query results into `useState`.
- Use array query keys built by a small key factory (e.g. `todoKeys.detail(id)`).
- Invalidate or update affected queries in `onSuccess` of every mutation.
- Wrap queries in custom hooks (`useTodos()`) instead of calling `useQuery` inline everywhere.

## Zustand

- Keep stores small and split by domain.
- Select only what a component needs (`useStore((s) => s.count)`) to avoid unnecessary re-renders.
- Use Zustand for client/UI state only. Server data belongs in the data-fetching layer.

## Jest

- Co-locate tests as `*.test.ts(x)` or in `__tests__/`, matching the existing convention.
- Use React Native Testing Library or Testing Library queries by role/text, not implementation details.
- Reset mocks between tests; no shared mutable state across tests.

## Reference docs

- [Expo docs](https://docs.expo.dev)
- [TanStack Query docs](https://tanstack.com/query/latest)
- [Zustand docs](https://zustand.docs.pmnd.rs)
- [Jest docs](https://jestjs.io/docs/getting-started)

Commands your agent should run

TaskCommand
Start dev servernpx expo start
Add a native-compatible packagenpx expo install <package>
Check project healthnpx expo-doctor
Type-checknpx tsc --noEmit
Unit testsnpx jest

What the rules cover

Expo (React Native)

Expo + React Native app with Expo Router and TypeScript. Scoped to app/**/*.tsx, src/**/*.tsx, src/**/*.ts, components/**/*.tsx in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Install packages with npx expo install so versions match the Expo SDK.
  • Use Expo Router for navigation (<Link>, router.push). Do not add React Navigation manually unless it is already in use.
  • Use React Native primitives (View, Text, Pressable) only. No DOM elements.
  • Use FlatList / FlashList for long lists, never .map() inside a ScrollView.
  • Wrap screens in safe-area handling (react-native-safe-area-context).
  • Env vars must start with EXPO_PUBLIC_ to reach the app, so they are public. Keep secrets on a server.
  • Store tokens with expo-secure-store, not AsyncStorage.
  • Do not edit ios/ or android/ by hand when using Continuous Native Generation; use config plugins in app.json / app.config.ts.

Source docs: Expo docs

TanStack Query

Server-state caching with TanStack Query. Scoped to **/*.tsx, **/hooks/**/*.ts in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • All server data goes through useQuery / useMutation; do not copy query results into useState.
  • Use array query keys built by a small key factory (e.g. todoKeys.detail(id)).
  • Invalidate or update affected queries in onSuccess of every mutation.
  • Wrap queries in custom hooks (useTodos()) instead of calling useQuery inline everywhere.

Source docs: TanStack Query docs

Zustand

Lightweight client state with Zustand. Scoped to **/store/**/*.ts, **/stores/**/*.ts in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Keep stores small and split by domain.
  • Select only what a component needs (useStore((s) => s.count)) to avoid unnecessary re-renders.
  • Use Zustand for client/UI state only. Server data belongs in the data-fetching layer.

Source docs: Zustand docs

Jest

Unit tests with Jest. Scoped to **/*.test.ts, **/*.test.tsx, **/__tests__/** in Cursor, Copilot and Windsurf.

  • Co-locate tests as *.test.ts(x) or in __tests__/, matching the existing convention.
  • Use React Native Testing Library or Testing Library queries by role/text, not implementation details.
  • Reset mocks between tests; no shared mutable state across tests.

Source docs: Jest docs

How to install

  1. Copy AGENTS.md to your repo root. That covers Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot and most other agents.
  2. Using Claude Code? Add a CLAUDE.md with the single line @AGENTS.md, or use the standalone CLAUDE.md tab above.
  3. Want rules that only load for certain files in Cursor? Add the .cursor/rules/*.mdc files.
  4. Commit the files so your whole team (and every agent) shares them.

FAQ

Where do I put the AGENTS.md for Expo (React Native) + TanStack Query + Zustand + Jest?

Save it as AGENTS.md in the root of your repository, next to your main config file. Codex, Cursor and GitHub Copilot pick it up automatically. For Claude Code, add a CLAUDE.md containing @AGENTS.md (or use the standalone CLAUDE.md on this page).

What is the most common mistake AI agents make with Expo (React Native)?

Server data gets duplicated into Zustand and goes stale.

Which commands should the agent run to check its work?

For this stack: npx expo start, npx expo install <package>, npx expo-doctor, npx tsc --noEmit. They are listed in the generated files so the agent runs them before finishing a task.

Do these Expo (React Native) + TanStack Query + Zustand + Jest rules work with Cursor and Claude Code?

Yes. This page includes the same rules as AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, Cursor .mdc project rules, a legacy .cursorrules file, GitHub Copilot instructions, Windsurf rules and GEMINI.md.

Can I customise these rules?

Yes. Open this stack in the generator to add or remove libraries, set your project name and package manager, switch beginner explanations on, and download everything as a zip.

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