Nexjax

A lightweight tool to automatically configure iOS project settings for React Native projects. Works with any React Native project (Expo, bare React Native, etc.).

Why Nexjax?

The Problem

When developing React Native apps for iOS, you face a frustrating cycle:

1. Every expo prebuild --clean wipes your Xcode settings - Team ID, code signing, and other configurations are lost
2. Manual reconfiguration is tedious - Open Xcode, navigate to signing settings, select team, fix Info.plist values... every single time
3. CI/CD pipelines become fragile - Automated builds break when Xcode settings aren't properly configured

Why Not EAS or Other Solutions?

Solution	Limitation
EAS Build	Requires Expo account, cloud-based builds, costs money for higher tiers, overkill for simple local builds
Fastlane	Heavy Ruby dependency, complex setup, steep learning curve, designed for full CI/CD pipelines
Manual Xcode	Time-consuming, error-prone, doesn't survive prebuild, can't be automated
Expo Config Plugins	Only works with Expo, requires understanding plugin system, can be complex for simple tasks

The Nexjax Approach

Nexjax takes a different philosophy:

• Zero dependencies - Pure Node.js, no Ruby, no cloud accounts, no external services
• Instant setup - One command: npx nexjax YOUR_TEAM_ID
• Works offline - No internet required, no accounts needed
• Universal - Works with Expo, bare React Native, or any hybrid setup
• Survives rebuilds - Stores config in ios.config.json, reapply with single command
• CI/CD friendly - Simple, predictable, easy to integrate into any pipeline
• Focused scope - Does one thing well: configure iOS project settings

Perfect For

• Developers who prebuild frequently and are tired of reconfiguring Xcode
• Teams who want simple, reliable iOS configuration without cloud dependencies
• CI/CD pipelines that need deterministic, offline-capable builds
• Projects that don't need full EAS/Fastlane but still want automation

Features

• ✅ Auto-configure Team ID - Sets DEVELOPMENT_TEAM in Xcode project
• ✅ Auto-fill Version - Updates CFBundleShortVersionString from app.json (Expo) or package.json (bare RN)
• ✅ Auto-fill Build Number - Updates CFBundleVersion from app.json or config
• ✅ Auto-fill Display Name - Updates CFBundleDisplayName from app.json or package.json
• ✅ iPhone-only Support - Removes iPad orientations automatically
• ✅ Zero Dependencies - Pure Node.js, no external dependencies
• ✅ Works with any RN project - Supports both Expo (app.json) and bare React Native (package.json only)

Installation

As a dev dependency:

npm install --save-dev nexjax

Or use npx (no installation needed):

npx nexjax

Quick Start

1. First Time Setup

1. Get your Team ID:

   • Open Xcode → Settings → Accounts
   • Select your Apple ID
   • Copy your Team ID (format: ABC123DEF4)

2. Run the tool:

   npx nexjax YOUR_TEAM_ID

   Or if installed locally:

   npx nexjax YOUR_TEAM_ID

3. Edit ios.config.json (created automatically):

   {
     "teamId": "YOUR_TEAM_ID",
     "version": "1.0.0",
     "displayName": "MyApp",
     "buildNumber": "1",
     "iphoneOnly": true,
     "permissions": {
       "NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription": "We need access to your photos...",
       "NSCameraUsageDescription": "We need access to your camera..."
     }
   }

   Note: For Expo projects, permission strings can also be set in app.json → expo.ios.infoPlist and nexjax will automatically read them!

2. Configure Permission Strings (Optional)

For Expo projects, add permissions in app.json:

{
  "expo": {
    "ios": {
      "infoPlist": {
        "NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription": "We need access to your photos...",
        "NSCameraUsageDescription": "We need access to your camera..."
      }
    }
  }
}

For bare RN projects, add permissions in ios.config.json:

{
  "permissions": {
    "NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription": "We need access to your photos...",
    "NSCameraUsageDescription": "We need access to your camera..."
  }
}

3. After Building iOS Project

After running npx expo prebuild or any iOS build command:

npx nexjax

Or add to your build scripts in package.json:

{
  "scripts": {
    "ios:build": "react-native run-ios && npx nexjax",
    "ios:configure": "npx nexjax"
  }
}

Configuration

Config File: ios.config.json

The tool creates ios.config.json in your project root with these settings:

{
  "teamId": "ABC123DEF4",
  "bundleIdentifier": "com.example.app",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "displayName": "MyApp",
  "buildNumber": "1",
  "iphoneOnly": true,
  "permissions": {
    "NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription": "We need access to your photos...",
    "NSCameraUsageDescription": "We need access to your camera...",
    "NSMicrophoneUsageDescription": "We need access to your microphone..."
  }
}

Auto-sync with app.json / package.json

The tool automatically reads from configuration files:

For Expo projects (with app.json):

• expo.version → Used for CFBundleShortVersionString
• expo.name → Used for CFBundleDisplayName
• expo.ios.buildNumber → Used for CFBundleVersion
• expo.ios.supportsTablet → Determines iPhone-only setting
• expo.ios.infoPlist.* → Permission strings (all optional)

For bare React Native projects (package.json only):

• package.json.version → Used for CFBundleShortVersionString
• package.json.name → Used for CFBundleDisplayName

Permission Strings (Optional)

Nexjax can automatically configure iOS permission strings in Info.plist. Each permission is optional - only add the ones you need.

Configuration Priority:

1. ios.config.json → permissions (always works, overrides app.json)
2. app.json → expo.ios.infoPlist (Expo projects only)

For Expo projects: Can use either app.json or ios.config.json (or both - ios.config.json overrides) For bare RN projects: Use ios.config.json → permissions (no app.json available)

Supported permission keys:

• NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription - Photo library access
• NSPhotoLibraryAddUsageDescription - Save photos to library
• NSCameraUsageDescription - Camera access
• NSMicrophoneUsageDescription - Microphone access
• NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription - Location when in use
• NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription - Location always
• NSContactsUsageDescription - Contacts access
• NSCalendarsUsageDescription - Calendar access
• NSRemindersUsageDescription - Reminders access
• NSMotionUsageDescription - Motion & Fitness
• NSHealthShareUsageDescription - Health data read
• NSHealthUpdateUsageDescription - Health data write
• NSBluetoothPeripheralUsageDescription - Bluetooth (deprecated, use NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription)
• NSBluetoothAlwaysUsageDescription - Bluetooth always
• NSSpeechRecognitionUsageDescription - Speech recognition
• NSFaceIDUsageDescription - Face ID
• NSAppleMusicUsageDescription - Apple Music
• NSSiriUsageDescription - Siri
• NSUserTrackingUsageDescription - App Tracking Transparency

Priority Order

For all settings (version, displayName, buildNumber, etc.):

1. ios.config.json - Primary source (can override everything)
2. app.json (Expo) or package.json (bare RN) - Source of truth
3. Command line argument - Overrides Team ID only

For permission strings specifically:

1. ios.config.json → permissions - Always works (Expo & bare RN)
2. app.json → expo.ios.infoPlist - Expo projects only (if no ios.config.json permissions)

Note:

• If app.json exists, it takes priority over package.json for version/name
• If no app.json, nexjax reads from package.json (bare RN projects)
• Permission strings work the same way: ios.config.json always works, app.json is optional (Expo only)

Usage Examples

Basic Usage

# Configure with Team ID
npx nexjax YOUR_TEAM_ID

# Re-configure (uses saved Team ID from config)
npx nexjax

With npm scripts

{
  "scripts": {
    "prebuild:ios": "cd ios && pod install",
    "postbuild:ios": "npx nexjax",
    "rebuild:ios": "npm run prebuild:ios && npm run postbuild:ios"
  }
}

With Expo

{
  "scripts": {
    "prebuild:ios": "npx expo prebuild --platform ios --clean",
    "postbuild:ios": "npx nexjax",
    "rebuild:ios": "npm run prebuild:ios && npm run postbuild:ios"
  }
}

What It Does

1. Team ID Configuration

• Updates DEVELOPMENT_TEAM in ios/*.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj
• Preserves across rebuilds

2. Version & Build Number

• Updates CFBundleShortVersionString in Info.plist
• Updates CFBundleVersion in Info.plist

3. Display Name

• Updates CFBundleDisplayName in Info.plist

4. iPhone-Only

• Removes UISupportedInterfaceOrientations~ipad from Info.plist
• Ensures app only runs on iPhone

5. Permission Strings (Optional)

• Updates permission strings in Info.plist
• Reads from app.json (Expo) or ios.config.json (bare RN)
• Only configures permissions that are provided (all optional)

Project Structure

Expo Projects:

your-project/
├── app.json              ← Source of truth (version, name, buildNumber)
├── package.json
├── ios/                  ← Generated by expo prebuild
│   ├── YourApp.xcodeproj/
│   │   └── project.pbxproj
│   └── YourApp/
│       └── Info.plist
└── ios.config.json       ← Created automatically (Team ID, overrides)

Bare React Native Projects:

your-project/
├── package.json          ← Source of truth (version, name)
├── ios/
│   ├── YourApp.xcodeproj/
│   │   └── project.pbxproj
│   └── YourApp/
│       └── Info.plist
└── ios.config.json       ← Created automatically (Team ID, buildNumber, overrides)

Troubleshooting

"ios directory not found"

• Make sure you're in the React Native project root
• Run from the directory containing ios/ folder

"Xcode project not found"

• Make sure you've built the iOS project at least once
• For Expo: Run npx expo prebuild --platform ios first

"Info.plist not found"

• The tool will search for Info.plist automatically
• If not found, Team ID configuration will still work

Team ID not persisting

• Make sure ios.config.json has teamId set
• Run the tool again after rebuilding iOS project

API

Programmatic Usage

const { configureIOS } = require('nexjax');

// Configure with Team ID
await configureIOS('/path/to/project', 'YOUR_TEAM_ID');

// Re-configure (uses config file)
await configureIOS('/path/to/project');

License

MIT

Contributing

Contributions welcome! This is a simple tool designed to be lightweight and dependency-free.