React Native Tutorial for Beginners: Build App with AI (2026)

How React Native and AI Revolutionize App Development

Introduction to No-Code App Development

• React Native has transformed app development, allowing users to create apps without extensive coding knowledge.

• Example of success: Listonic, a grocery list app generating over $10,000 monthly from the app store.

• The speaker demonstrates recreating this app using AI tools, eliminating the need for traditional coding practices.

Step-by-Step Process Overview

• The tutorial aims to guide viewers in building a fully functional grocery app by leveraging AI alongside React Native.

• Emphasis on starting with a clean project setup to avoid complications later; initial configuration is crucial.

Setting Up the Project

• Using Windsurf IDE and its AI agent Cascade for project creation simplifies the process significantly.

• Initial prompt example: creating a basic structure for a grocery shopping app with placeholder data without implementing functionality yet.

Building the Foundation

• After generating the project, confirmation that all sections (dashboard, cart, settings) are correctly configured and operational within Expo.

• Importance of checking design aesthetics early on; ensuring user experience is prioritized before adding complex functionalities.

Enhancing Design and User Experience

• Focus shifts to improving visual style; modernizing design based on inspiration from existing successful apps enhances usability.

• Prompting Cascade for design updates leads to an improved interface while maintaining structural integrity.

Core Functionality Development

• Addressing common issues in grocery apps by developing essential features like shopping lists and cart functionality.

• Users will be able to create custom lists and organize items effectively, enhancing practical use during shopping trips.

Building a Shopping Cart Functionality

Initial Setup and Features

• The prompt for Windserve includes building the shopping cart functionality, clearing placeholder data, and creating a dashboard widget to display recent shopping lists.

• Users can create custom lists with filters for categorizing items by store, quantity, price, etc. This enhances user experience by allowing personalized organization.

Real-Time Updates and Usability

• The app updates in real-time as users add items to their lists, making it more practical and responsive compared to static alternatives.

• As shopping lists grow, managing them becomes challenging; thus, the focus shifts to improving navigation through proper filters and search options.

Enhancing Navigation

• Users will be able to filter their shopping list by category, store, or price and utilize a search bar for quick item location.

• After implementing these features in Windserve, new filter options appear in the list view enhancing usability significantly.

Monetizing AI App Development

Transitioning from Building to Monetization

• The discussion transitions into monetizing apps built with AI technology using React Native. It emphasizes that building an app is just the beginning; monetization is key.

• The speaker offers insights on submitting apps to app stores quickly through an exclusive community that provides step-by-step guidance.

Smart Suggestions Feature

• A smart suggestion feature is introduced to help users easily add frequently purchased items without rebuilding their lists each time they shop.

• This feature suggests items based on previous purchases directly within the dashboard for quicker access.

Budgeting Tools Integration

Tracking Spending Automatically

• To address budgeting concerns, a budgeting widget will be added to track spending automatically based on recent shopping activity.

• This tool aims to provide users with immediate insights into their spending habits without manual calculations.

Implementation of Budgeting Widget

• A prompt is given for Windserve to create this budgeting widget which should update dynamically as users modify their shopping lists.

• Upon testing the new budget section in the dashboard after its creation shows accurate totals derived from user activity.

Real-Time Updates and User Experience in a Grocery App

Enhancing User Interaction with Real-Time Data

• The app updates prices and totals in real-time as items are added, removed, or modified, indicating a solid data connection.

• Users can stay aware of their spending without unnecessary complexity, as the app actively responds to user actions.

Streamlining Shopping Lists with a Catalog Feature

• A new "catalog" section will serve as a shared item library for common grocery and household items, reducing repetitive manual entry.

• The catalog aims to make list building faster by allowing users to browse and add items easily without replacing custom lists.

Improving Usability with Dark Mode

• Dark mode is introduced as an essential feature for user comfort during nighttime use; it enhances the modern feel of the app.

• Users can toggle between light and dark themes seamlessly, ensuring that all elements adapt cleanly without disruption.

Testing App Functionality

• The speaker tests the app's functionality by creating a new shopping list and adding various items while monitoring real-time updates.

• All components—including dashboard totals, widgets, and suggestions—respond correctly without delays or errors.

Finalizing the Grocery App Build

• The complete grocery app is presented as fully functional from inception to deployment readiness.

• Next steps involve preparing the app for release on both the App Store and Play Store using EAS.