Install Node.js (LTS). Then in Terminal:

Scan the QR code with the Expo Go app (iOS App Store / Google Play), or press i / a for simulator/emulator if you have them.

Open the project folder in Cursor or VS Code. Your main screen usually lives in App.js or app/index.tsx depending on the Expo template.

Replace your App component body with something like:

Project 1.1: Hello World

Show a greeting on the screen. Run it in Expo Go. Congrats — that is a real mobile UI!

JSX looks like HTML but is JavaScript. In React Native you use View instead of div, and Text instead of bare text or p / span.

A component is a function that returns JSX:

Rules of thumb:

• Components start with a capital letter
• All text must be inside <Text>
• You return one parent element (or a Fragment)

Props are inputs to a component — like function arguments:

Parent decides the value; child displays it. Props flow down.

Web coding uses prompt() and alert(). In React Native:

• TextInput — type on screen
• Alert.alert(...) — system dialog

Project 1.2: Greet User

Ask for a name with TextInput. On button press, Alert a greeting.

Project 1.3: Tip Calculator

Two TextInputs: bill amount and tip percent. Show tip dollars and total (you can use Text on screen or Alert).

Project 1.4: Age Gate

Ask for age. If 21 or older, say they can enter; otherwise deny.

useState lets a component remember values that change when the user interacts:

Project 1.5: Counter App

Show a number. Buttons for +1, −1, and Reset to 0.

Comments in JS/JSX:

Typical Expo app layout:

• App.js or app/ — entry screens
• components/ — reusable UI pieces (create this folder yourself)
• assets/ — images, fonts
• package.json — dependencies

• Open the project folder, not a single file
• Use the built-in terminal for npx expo start
• Save often — Expo Fast Refresh usually updates the phone automatically
• Red screen / yellow box: read the error; it often names the file and line
• Ask Cursor: “Explain this Expo error” and paste the stack trace

• Physical device: Expo Go + same Wi‑Fi as your computer
• iOS Simulator: Mac + Xcode; press i in the Expo terminal
• Android Emulator: Android Studio; press a
• Web: press w — useful for quick layout checks, not identical to native

Create the Lesson 1 projects and try them on a real device before moving on.

Stuck? Email questions@upriseuniversity.com