Using ClojureScript

Quickstart

If you’re already convinced about ClojureScript and Exponent and know what to do once you have figwheel running, you can just read this section. Otherwise, we encourage you to read the entire guide.

lein new exponent your-project

cd your-project && npm install

lein figwheel

# Now in a new tab, open the project in a simulator
exp start --ios

Note: This guide was written by @tiensonqin, feel free to reach out to him on the Exponent Slack if you have questions!

Why Clojurescript?

• First-class immutable data structures
• Minimizing state and side-effects
• Practicality and pragmatism are always core values of ClojureScript
• Lisp!
• Great JavaScript interoperability

Why on Exponent?

It all begins with a Simple Made Easy design choice: you don’t write native code.

• You only write ClojureScript or JavaScript.
• You don’t have to install or use Xcode or Android Studio or deal with any of the platform specific configuration and project files.
• Much easier to upgrade when there is no native code involved — React Native JavaScript APIs are relatively stable compared to the native side. Exponent will take care of upgrading the native modules and React Native versions, you only need to upgrade your ClojureScript or JavaScript code.
• You can write iOS apps on Linux or Windows (provided that you have an iPhone to test it with).
• It’s dead simple to continually share your apps. Once you published your app, you got a link. It is up to you to share the link.

1. Create an Exponent project

# Default to use Reagent / Re-frame
lein new exponent your-project

# Or Om Next
lein new exponent your-project +om

cd your-project && npm install

2. Connect to a REPL

CLI REPL

lein figwheel

Emacs REPL

1. Invoke cider-jack-in.
2. Run (start-figwheel) in the connected REPL.

Cursive REPL

The first time you connect to the repl, you’ll need to create a Leiningen nREPL Configuration unless you have one already.

1. Click Run->Edit configurations.
2. Click the + button at the top left and choose Clojure REPL.
3. Choose a Local REPL.
4. Enter a name in the Name field (e.g. “REPL”).
5. Choose the radio button Use nREPL with Leiningen.
6. Click the OK button to save your REPL config.

Once this is done, you can connect to the REPL.

In Intellij make sure your REPL config is selected and click the green play button to start your REPL.

Run (start-figwheel) in the connected REPL.

3. Start Exponent server

Using exp CLI

# Install exp if you have not already
npm install -g exp

# Connect to iOS simulator
exp start --ios

# Or connect to Android devices or simulators
exp start --android

For more information, see exp Command-Line Interface.

Using XDE

For more information, see XDE tour.

4. Publish your app

# Generate main.js
lein prod-build

exp publish

This will publish your app to a persistent URL on getexponent.com, for example: https://getexponent.com/@community/startr

FAQ

How do I add custom native modules?

See How do I add custom native code to my Exponent project?.

Does it support Google Closure advanced compilation?

It’s still experimental, but it already works for multiple projects.

Does it support source maps?

Yes.

Can I use npm modules?

React Native uses JavascriptCore, so modules using built-in node like stream, fs, etc wont work. Otherwise, you can just require like: (js/require "SomeModule").

Do I need to restart the REPL after adding new Javascript modules or assets?

No, you do need to reload Javascript. To do that, select Reload from the Developer Menu. You can also press ⌘ + R in the iOS Simulator, or press R twice on Android emulators.

Will it support Boot?

Not currently, but we are working on it.