rn-build-version

A React Native tool for managing versionCode and versionName in your Android build.gradle file, with support for building APKs and AABs. It simplifies version management by providing interactive prompts and automates backups and changelog updates.

Features

• Version Management:
  • Increment patch (e.g., 0.0.1 → 0.0.2), minor (e.g., 0.0.1 → 0.1.0), or major (e.g., 0.0.1 → 1.0.0) versions.
  • Set custom versionCode and versionName.
  • Skip version updates for local testing builds.
• Automation:
  • Backup build.gradle before modifications.
  • Generate or update a CHANGELOG.md file with version details.
• Flexibility:
  • Custom Gradle file path support via CLI option.
  • Dry-run mode to simulate changes without applying them.

Prerequisites

• Ensure your build.gradle contains versionCode and versionName (e.g., in defaultConfig).
• Configure signing in build.gradle for release builds.

Notes

• The tool assumes a standard React Native Android project structure.
• Run chmod +x android/gradlew on macOS/Linux if Gradle permissions are an issue.

Installation

Install the package globally or as a development dependency in your React Native project:

# Globally
npm install -g rn-build-version

# As a dev dependency
npm install --save-dev rn-build-version

Uses

1. Add Scripts to Your package.json

Integrate the tool into your React Native project by adding these scripts:

{
  "scripts": {
    "build:android:apk": "rn-build-version && cd android && ./gradlew clean assembleRelease",
    "build:android:aab": "rn-build-version && cd android && ./gradlew clean bundleRelease",
    "build:android:apk:local": "cd android && ./gradlew clean assembleRelease",
    "build:android:aab:local": "cd android && ./gradlew clean bundleRelease"
  }
}

2. Run the Commands

• Production Builds (with Version Management):

npm run build:android:apk
npm run build:android:aab

These commands prompt you to update the version before building.

• Local Testing Builds (No Version Change):

npm run build:android:apk:local
npm run build:android:aab:local

These skip version prompts and build with the current version.

3. CLI Usage

Run the tool directly with options:

rn-build-version [options]

Option Description Default -g, --gradle Path to your build.gradle file android/app/build.gradle -d, --dry-run Simulate changes without applying them false

Examples

• Use a custom Gradle path:

rn-build-version --gradle ./custom/path/build.gradle

• Simulate changes (dry-run):

rn-build-version --dry-run

• Combine options:

rn-build-version --gradle ./android/app/build.gradle --dry-run

Example Interaction

When you run rn-build-version or a build script with it, you’ll see:

Current versionCode: 1
Current versionName: 0.0.1
? What do you want to do with the version? (Use arrow keys)
  > Increment patch (e.g., 0.0.1 -> 0.0.2)
    Increment minor (e.g., 0.0.1 -> 0.1.0)
    Increment major (e.g., 0.0.1 -> 1.0.0)
    Set custom version
    Skip (no increment)

• Choosing "Increment patch":

  • Updates to versionCode: 2, versionName: "0.0.2".
  • Creates a backup (build.gradle.bak).
  • Appends to CHANGELOG.md.

• Choosing "Set custom

  • Prompts for new versionName and versionCode.
  • Example: Set versionName: "1.2.3", versionCode: 123.