Tackling an app development project on multiple platforms is no simple task. When time is in short supply and customers need access from the tap of a home screen, React Native can provide a lean development team with the tools needed to deliver a multi-platform native experience without juggling multiple programming languages and shifting code bases. React Native is an emerging technology and best practices are only beginning bubble up.

Fortunately, a growing user community--from tech giants such as Facebook, Yahoo, and AirBNB to the independent developers--is hard at work codifying...