What exactly is the ‘react-scripts start’ command?

What exactly is the ‘react-scripts start’ command?

If you have worked with React, you might have come across the ‘react-scripts start’ command while setting up or running a React project. But what does this command actually do? In this article, we will explore the purpose and functionality of the ‘react-scripts start’ command in detail.

The ‘react-scripts start’ command is part of the Create React App (CRA) package, which is a popular tool for quickly setting up a new React project with a predefined project structure and build configuration. CRA abstracts away the complex configuration process, allowing developers to focus on writing code rather than spending time on project setup.

When you run the ‘react-scripts start’ command, it starts the development server and opens your React application in a browser window. It also enables hot-reloading, which means that any changes you make to your code will be automatically reflected in the browser without the need to manually refresh the page.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the different aspects of the ‘react-scripts start’ command:

1. Development Server

The ‘react-scripts start’ command starts a development server that provides a local environment for running your React application. This server uses webpack under the hood to bundle and serve your application’s assets. It also handles routing and other development-related tasks.

Code Snippet:

// Run the 'react-scripts start' command in the terminal
npm start

2. Browser Opening

Once the development server is up and running, the ‘react-scripts start’ command automatically opens your React application in a new browser window. This allows you to see your application in real-time as you make changes to the code.

3. Hot-Reloading

One of the most convenient features of the ‘react-scripts start’ command is hot-reloading. When enabled, any changes you make to your code will be automatically injected into the running application, instantly reflecting the updates in the browser. This eliminates the need to manually refresh the page every time you make a change.

Hot-reloading significantly speeds up the development process, as you can see the effects of your code changes immediately without interrupting your workflow.

Code Snippet:

// Enable hot-reloading in the 'package.json' file
"scripts": {
  "start": "react-scripts start"
}

In conclusion, the ‘react-scripts start’ command is a powerful tool provided by Create React App (CRA) for starting and running your React application in a development environment. It simplifies the setup process, opens your application in a browser window, and enables hot-reloading for instant code updates. This command is an essential part of the React development workflow and helps streamline the development process.

Now that you have a better understanding of the ‘react-scripts start’ command, you can leverage its capabilities to enhance your React development experience.