Use when implementing or debugging ANY network request, API call, or data fetching. Covers fetch API, React Query, SWR, error handling, caching, offline support, and Expo Router data loaders (`useLoaderData`).
SKILL.md
Expo Networking
You MUST use this skill for ANY networking work including API requests, data fetching, caching, or network debugging.
References
Consult these resources as needed:
references/
expo-router-loaders.md Route-level data loading with Expo Router loaders (web, SDK 55+)
When to Use
Use this skill when:
Implementing API requests
Setting up data fetching (React Query, SWR)
Using Expo Router data loaders (useLoaderData, web SDK 55+)
import NetInfo from "@react-native-community/netinfo";
// Hook for network status
function useNetworkStatus() {
const [isOnline, setIsOnline] = useState(true);
useEffect(() => {
return NetInfo.addEventListener((state) => {
setIsOnline(state.isConnected ?? true);
});
}, []);
return isOnline;
}
Offline-first with React Query:
import { onlineManager } from "@tanstack/react-query";
import NetInfo from "@react-native-community/netinfo";
// Sync React Query with network status
onlineManager.setEventListener((setOnline) => {
return NetInfo.addEventListener((state) => {
setOnline(state.isConnected ?? true);
});
});
// Queries will pause when offline and resume when online
6. Environment Variables
Using environment variables for API configuration:
Expo supports environment variables with the EXPO_PUBLIC_ prefix. These are inlined at build time and available in your JavaScript code.
const data = await fetch(url).then((r) => r.json());
Right: Check response status
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`HTTP ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
Wrong: Storing tokens in AsyncStorage
await AsyncStorage.setItem("token", token); // Not secure!
Right: Use SecureStore for sensitive data
await SecureStore.setItemAsync("token", token);
Example Invocations
User: "How do I make API calls in React Native?"
-> Use fetch, wrap with error handling
User: "Should I use React Query or SWR?"
-> React Query for complex apps, SWR for simpler needs
User: "My app needs to work offline"
-> Use NetInfo for status, React Query persistence for caching
User: "How do I handle authentication tokens?"
-> Store in expo-secure-store, implement refresh flow
User: "API calls are slow"
-> Check caching strategy, use React Query staleTime
User: "How do I configure different API URLs for dev and prod?"
-> Use EXPOPUBLIC env vars with .env.development and .env.production files
User: "Where should I put my API key?"
-> Client-safe keys: EXPOPUBLIC in .env. Secret keys: non-prefixed env vars in API routes only
User: "How do I load data for a page in Expo Router?"
-> See references/expo-router-loaders.md for route-level loaders (web, SDK 55+). For native, use React Query or fetch.
Limitations
Use this skill only when the task clearly matches its upstream product or API scope.
Verify commands, API behavior, pricing, quotas, credentials, and deployment effects against current official documentation before making changes.
Do not treat generated examples as a substitute for environment-specific tests, security review, or user approval for destructive or costly actions.