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Topics
How do I start a React app in the terminal?
What is create-react-app and why is it used?
How do I run an existing React app using npm?
Can I start a React app in Visual Studio Code's terminal?
What tools are needed to create a React app?
React has quickly become the go-to JavaScript library for developers seeking to build responsive, high-performing user interfaces. With React’s component-based architecture, you can create complex web applications that deliver seamless, interactive experiences without page reloads—an essential for modern, single-page apps (SPAs).
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up your first React app directly from the terminal, taking advantage of key tools like Node.js, npm, and the create-react-app utility to streamline the process. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, understanding the React ecosystem is essential to building robust, production-ready applications. Let’s jump in and get your React app up and running in no time!
To create a new React app, developers must have a few tools installed on their system. First, Node.js must be installed to manage the server-side aspects of React. Along with Node.js, npm, which is a package manager that comes with Node.js, is used to install libraries and tools required in a React project. It's also important to have a code editor, like Visual Studio Code, ready for developing your new app.
To start a new react app, open your command line or terminal. Navigate to the directory where you want your project folder to be located. Use the npx create react app command followed by your project name to create a new app. This command sets up the initial project structure and installs the necessary dependencies to get started.
1npx create-react-app my-react-app
Once the installation is complete, change the directory to your new project folder and run the following command to start the development server:
1 2cd my-react-app npm start
This will open a new browser window with your running React app.
Ensure you have the latest version of Node.js and npm installed to use React and its associated tools. These are essential for managing the packages and running commands necessary for React development.
For a smoother experience, configure your code editor with extensions and settings conducive to React development, such as syntax highlighting and auto-formatting.
To start running a react app, after creating it with the create react app command, you simply need to execute npm start in the project's root directory. This command initiates the app and opens it in your default web browser.
Running a command react app involves using npm scripts defined in the package.json file. For example, npm start runs the app in development mode, npm test launches the test runner, and running npm run build creates a build of the app for production.
To run a react app in the VS Code terminal, open the terminal within VS Code, navigate to your react application's directory, and use the npm start command. This will compile the app and launch it in a new browser window.
Creating a new react app using the create react app command generates a project folder with a specific structure. This includes directories for public and src, where you'll find the static assets and React components, respectively.
React components are the building blocks of a react application. They are reusable pieces of code representing a part of the user interface.
To run an existing react app, clone or download the app's repository, navigate to the app's directory in the terminal, and run npm install to install dependencies. After that, execute npm start to run the app.
Running a react app using npm involves executing npm commands in the terminal. After creating your app with create react app, you can start it by running npm start, test it with npm test, and build it for production with npm run build.
Create React App provides a comfortable starting point for React development. It comes with built-in support for a frontend build pipeline, which includes Babel and Webpack, but requires zero configuration from the developer.
While Create React App is designed for frontend development, it can also be used with server-side code to handle backend logic.
Sometimes, after running the Create React app, you may encounter issues related to building dependencies. This can often be resolved by ensuring that you have the latest version of Node.js and npm installed, and by checking that all dependencies are correctly listed in your package.json file.
Create React App comes with a built-in service worker for offline functionality. If you face issues with the service worker, ensure it's registered correctly and your build folder is appropriately configured.
Once your react app runs locally, the next step is to build it for production using the npm run build command. This creates an optimized build folder to deploy to a web server.
1npm run build
After mastering how to start the React app in the terminal, continue learning React by adding new features, integrating React frameworks, or even exploring react native for mobile app development. Always watch for new versions and updates in the React ecosystem.
React's component-based architecture makes it an excellent choice for many projects, from static content oriented websites to complex web apps that handle backend logic. As you grow more comfortable with React, you can use it to build amazing projects with different requirements.
Getting your React app started in the terminal is just the beginning of what you can achieve with this powerful library. With React’s component-based structure, you have the flexibility to build anything from static content-rich websites to interactive, data-driven applications that manage complex backend logic. As you gain confidence in React, you’ll discover how its ecosystem empowers you to develop scalable, user-friendly applications for virtually any project need.
By mastering these foundational setup steps, you’ve set the stage for creating engaging, high-performance applications that keep users hooked. So, whether you’re developing a single-page app or embarking on an ambitious project, the skills you’ve gained will be invaluable in today’s dynamic web development environment.
