Install Native Dependencies in App Directory

Install Native Dependencies in App Directory

In a monorepo, packages with native code must be installed in the native app's directory directly. Autolinking only scans the app's node_modules—it won't find native dependencies installed in other packages.

Incorrect (native dep in shared package only):

packages/
  ui/
    package.json  # has react-native-reanimated
  app/
    package.json  # missing react-native-reanimated

Autolinking fails—native code not linked.

Correct (native dep in app directory):

packages/
  ui/
    package.json  # has react-native-reanimated
  app/
    package.json  # also has react-native-reanimated

// packages/app/package.json
{
  "dependencies": {
    "react-native-reanimated": "3.16.1"
  }
}

Even if the shared package uses the native dependency, the app must also list it for autolinking to detect and link the native code.