📱 React Native interview starter

Managed Expo (SDK 57) + Expo Router shell for an AI-assisted machine coding interview.

You may use any AI tools you prefer during the round (Cursor, ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.). This repo is only a local shell — the interviewer sends the real question at interview time, and one command loads it into this project.

---

✅ Before the interview (required)

Do this ahead of time so the session can start immediately.

🏖️ 1. CodeSandbox account

Create a CodeSandbox account (free) or confirm you can log in. Part of the round may run in a CodeSandbox link the interviewer shares; you need an account to edit it.

🧰 2. Toolchain

1. Node.js — current LTS (Node 20+). Check with node -v.
2. Pick one platform and install its toolchain:
   • iOS (macOS only): Xcode, then open it once and install the iOS Simulator when prompted.
   • Android (macOS, Windows, Linux): Android Studio with an emulator (AVD) that boots.
3. Physical device (optional): Expo Go on the phone, same Wi‑Fi as your computer.

npm run ios only works on a Mac with Xcode. On Windows or Linux, use Android.

🚀 3. Get this project running

git clone https://github.com/headout/ho-rn-interview-starter.git
cd ho-rn-interview-starter
npm install
npm run ios      # or: npm run android

Confirm the app opens on a simulator/emulator or device, then leave it in a working state. The checked-in src is a placeholder — it gets replaced during the interview.

You do not need to build any features beforehand, and you will not push anything anywhere. Working locally with no remote is fine.

---

🎯 During the interview

The interviewer sends a question link. From your project root (the folder with package.json):

npm run question "<link>"

That downloads the question, swaps in the new src, runs npm install if needed, and commits.

Then restart the app:

# stop the running app with Ctrl + C, then
npm run start    # press i for iOS, a for Android

If the link fails or has expired, tell your interviewer and they will send a fresh one.

---

🔧 Troubleshooting

• Screen looks wrong or Metro is stuck: Ctrl + C, then npx expo start -c (cleared cache). Pressing r in the terminal reloads.

• Missing packages after loading the question: npm install, then restart.

• Still broken:

  npm run clean
  npm install

Fix local setup before the call. Interview time should go to the coding task, not environment debugging.