
add-native
✓ Official★ 413by microsoft · part of microsoft/power-platform-skills
Public entry point for native device capabilities and native controls — camera, image picker, barcode/QR scanner, document picker, file picker, secure storage, file system, sharing, PDF generation/viewing, pen/signature capture, background GPS/geolocation tracking, or supported local file workflows — in a Power Apps mobile app. Also owns routing to internal camera/PDF/pen/geolocation implementation helpers and the guidance boundary between native wrappers and Dataverse File/Image host controls.
This is the playbook your agent receives when the skill activates — you don't need to read it to use the skill, but it's here to audit before installing.
📋 Shared instructions: shared-instructions.md — read first.
Add Native Capability
Generate a one-file typed wrapper under src/native/ for a native device capability that the upstream template already ships. Screens import the wrapper instead of touching Expo modules directly, so the discriminated-union result contract stays consistent across the app.
Hard rules — do NOT cross these lines
- Never run
npx expo install,npm install, oryarn addfor a native module. The set of native modules inpackage.jsonis fixed by the upstream template. Adding a new one breaks the rewrap pipeline (the customer's binary is built from a pre-built base, not from theirpackage.json). - Never edit
app.config.js— plugins,ios.infoPlist,android.permissions, or anything else. All native config the template ships is intentional and signed off; arbitrary additions cannot be honored at rewrap time. - Never edit
package.jsondependenciesfor native modules (anything starting withexpo-,react-native-, or that ships an iOS/Android folder). Generic JS-only libraries (e.g.,date-fns,zod,@tanstack/react-query) are not native modules and remain fine to install vianpx expo install <pkg>from other skills — this rule scopes only to packages with a config plugin or native code. - If the requested module isn't actually present in
package.json— STOP. That means the upstream template hasn't shipped it yet; do not work around by installing it.
Routing — /add-native is the public entry point
Some capabilities have a dedicated implementation helper that does more than a plain wrapper (camera writes scanner/upload helpers; PDF report/viewer helpers enforce local-vs-HTTPS boundaries; pen has native-control-specific validation). Users should still call /add-native <capability> for native controls. When a dedicated implementation exists, run it internally and do not ask the user to run that helper directly.
Lookup convention: after normalizing the capability, first check the internal-helper map below. For camera, image-picker, barcode-scanner, and qr-scanner, read and execute ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-camera/SKILL.md inside this /add-native invocation. For pdf-report, read and execute ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pdf-report/SKILL.md. For pdf-viewer, read and execute ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pdf-viewer/SKILL.md. For pen-input, read and execute ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pen-input/SKILL.md. For geolocation, read and execute ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-geolocation/SKILL.md. If no helper exists, fall through to this skill's inline wrapper flow.
Current dedicated implementations:
| Capability | Dedicated skill | Why dedicated |
|---|---|---|
camera, take-photo, photo, expo-camera, image-picker, gallery, expo-image-picker, barcode-scanner, qr-scanner, scanner | add-camera internal helper | Owns photo capture, gallery image picking, and barcode/QR scanner controls backed by expo-camera / expo-image-picker |
pdf-report, pdf-export, generate-pdf, print-report, evidence-packet | add-pdf-report internal helper | Generates app-owned local PDFs with expo-print and shares them only when expo-sharing is present |
pdf-viewer, native-pdf-viewer, pdf-control, open-pdf, @microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer | add-pdf-viewer internal helper | Enforces HTTPS-only viewer URLs and native viewer result handling |
pen-input, signature, ink, draw, @microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input | add-pen-input internal helper | Captures PNG data URI and documents Dataverse Image/File persistence |
geolocation, location-tracking, background-location, gps-tracking, geo-tracking, @microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation | add-geolocation internal helper | Native background GPS tracking with durable storage and inline Dataverse sync; distinct from one-shot expo-location |
For every other capability listed below, this skill writes the wrapper directly.
Native capability gate
Before adding any native control or wrapper, apply every gate: classify the intent, resolve the exact package/control from the live package.json, confirm it is not runtime-banned, confirm the input/output/storage constraints, then use the matching route below. If any gate fails, the native functionality is not supported for this app version — do not install packages, edit native config, or create fake wrappers.
| User intent | Add/use | Required package or control | Do not use / fallback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form field bound to a Dataverse File column | Host <FilePicker> in screen JSX | power-apps-native-host host control | Do not generate document-picker/file-system/sharing wrappers for this field |
| Form field bound to a Dataverse Image column | Host <ImagePicker> in screen JSX | power-apps-native-host host control | Do not use camera/image-picker wrappers for normal form-bound image fields |
| Dedicated photo/gallery/scanner workflow | /add-native camera, image-picker, or barcode-scanner | expo-camera and/or expo-image-picker present | If packages are absent, stop with missing-package guidance |
| Pick/import/upload a user-selected PDF/document | /add-native document-picker, or host <FilePicker> for Dataverse File fields | expo-document-picker present, or host File control | Do not treat this as pdf-report or native PDF viewer |
| Generate/export/print an app-owned report PDF | /add-native pdf-report | expo-print present | If expo-print is absent, do not add PDF report capability |
| Share/open a generated local PDF | pdfReport.ts share helper | expo-sharing present | If expo-sharing is absent, allow Dataverse upload only; do not render local share/open UI |
| Open/preview an existing PDF URL | /add-native pdf-viewer | @microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer present and URL is https:// | Do not pass file://, content://, blob:, http://, or generated local URIs to the viewer |
| Capture signature, ink, drawing, or sign-off | /add-native pen-input | @microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input present | If persisted, plan Dataverse Image/File/child Evidence target first |
| Continuous/background GPS tracking with durable Dataverse upload | /add-native geolocation | @microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation present | Do not use one-shot expo-location for background tracking; do not use the GeolocationExtension/HostingSDK path |
| Store generated PDF/signature artifact | Generated Dataverse services after parent row exists | File/Image column or child Evidence/Attachment table exists | Never put File bytes in create/update JSON |
| Native capability not listed in this table | Resolve from package.json, then add an inline wrapper only when the matching package is present and not runtime-banned | Exact relevant package present in package.json | If no relevant package exists, or the package is runtime-banned, add a transparency note and stop |
Handle multi-part requests row-by-row. Example: "capture signature and attach signed report PDF" requires pen-input, pdf-report, Dataverse artifact storage, and possibly sharing; do not add only the native capability while leaving storage or screen states undefined. The map is not closed: for new shipped packages, resolve by capability semantics, use the directly matching package when safe, and ask once only if multiple installed packages plausibly match.
File/Image Picker Ownership
This skill owns native file capability mechanics. Screen builders own only the final JSX placement.
There are two different cases:
| Case | Correct implementation | Owner |
|---|---|---|
Dataverse File column | Use <FilePicker> from power-apps-native-host | screen-builder JSX rule, documented here |
Dataverse Image column | Use <ImagePicker> from power-apps-native-host | screen-builder JSX rule, documented here |
| Local device document/file workflow not bound to a Dataverse column | Generate/use src/native/documentPicker.ts, src/native/fileSystem.ts, and/or src/native/sharing.ts wrappers | /add-native |
| App-generated PDF report workflow | /add-native routes internally to add-pdf-report; uses expo-print and optionally expo-sharing only if present | /add-native |
| Camera capture, gallery image selection, barcode scanner, or QR scanner workflow | /add-native routes internally to add-camera | /add-native |
Dataverse File/Image columns use host controls, not raw Expo modules and not app-specific native wrappers. When a form field binds to a Dataverse File column (FileAttributeMetadata), render <FilePicker> from power-apps-native-host. When it binds to a Dataverse Image column (ImageAttributeMetadata), render <ImagePicker> from power-apps-native-host. These controls read accent, surface, and text colors from PowerAppsProvider / ThemeProvider and produce Dataverse-compatible payloads.
import { FilePicker, ImagePicker } from 'power-apps-native-host';
import type { PickedFileInfo, PickedImageInfo } from 'power-apps-native-host';
// Image column — seed preview from Dataverse bytes/base64 and capture upload-ready payload.
<ImagePicker
label="Site Photo"
initialBase64={imageBase64}
onImageChange={(image: PickedImageInfo | null) => { /* store image for upload */ }}
/>
// File column — edit-only pick/replace.
<FilePicker
label="Specification Sheet"
fileName={record.cr123_specsheet_name}
onChange={(file: PickedFileInfo) => { /* store file for save */ }}
/>
// File column — view + replace.
<FilePicker
label="Specification Sheet"
fileName={record.cr123_specsheet_name}
onDownload={() => Cr123_inspectionService.downloadFile(id, 'cr123_specsheet')}
onChange={(file: PickedFileInfo) => { /* store file for save */ }}
/>Save/read pattern for host picker-bound Dataverse columns:
// FILE/IMAGE columns: do not include picker bytes in the PATCH body.
// Save normal fields first, then upload through generated service helpers.
await Cr123_inspectionService.update(id, { cr123_name: name.trim() });
await Cr123_inspectionService.upload(id, 'cr123_specsheet', file.file, file.name);
await Cr123_inspectionService.upload(id, 'cr123_sitephoto', image.file, image.name);
// Download helpers are used for read/view scenarios.
const fileBytes = await Cr123_inspectionService.downloadFile(id, 'cr123_specsheet');
const imageBytes = await Cr123_inspectionService.downloadImage(id, 'cr123_sitephoto');Use host ImagePicker / FilePicker with generated upload(...) for persistence and downloadFile(...) / downloadImage(...) for read/view. Do not use Service.update(...{ <imageColumn>: base64 }) for picker-driven image/file persistence.
Do not use raw expo-document-picker, expo-image-picker, expo-file-system, or expo-sharing to build custom UI for Dataverse File/Image columns. Host FilePicker and ImagePicker already handle permissions, reading, sharing/download affordances, and Dataverse-compatible payload shape.
Use /add-native wrappers only when the workflow is not a Dataverse File/Image column, for example importing a local PDF for offline parsing, exporting a generated report, saving a local draft packet, or opening a share sheet for an app-generated summary.
Supported capabilities
Apply the Native capability gate above. This table is a known capability-to-package map, not a guarantee that every listed package exists in every template version.
| Capability | Module | Wrapper to generate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
camera, take-photo, photo, expo-camera | expo-camera | src/native/camera.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-camera |
image-picker, gallery, expo-image-picker | expo-image-picker | src/native/imagePicker.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-camera |
barcode-scanner, qr-scanner, scanner, barcode, qr | expo-camera | src/native/barcodeScanner.tsx | /add-native routes internally to add-camera |
document-picker | expo-document-picker | src/native/documentPicker.ts | Picks/imports user-selected files (PDF, docs, etc.) from the device |
pdf-viewer, native-pdf-viewer, pdf-control, open-pdf, @microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer | @microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer | src/native/pdfViewer.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-pdf-viewer; opens HTTPS PDF URLs only |
pdf-report, pdf-export, generate-pdf, print-report, evidence-packet | expo-print (+ optional expo-sharing) | src/native/pdfReport.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-pdf-report; generated local files are shared only when expo-sharing is present, or uploaded to Dataverse |
pen-input, signature, ink, draw, @microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input | @microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input | src/native/penInput.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-pen-input; captures PNG data URI |
geolocation, location-tracking, background-location, gps-tracking, geo-tracking, @microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation | @microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation | src/native/geolocation.ts | /add-native routes internally to add-geolocation; native background tracking + durable Dataverse sync. Distinct from one-shot location below |
secure-store | expo-secure-store | src/native/secureStore.ts | |
file-system | expo-file-system | src/native/fileSystem.ts | |
sharing | expo-sharing | src/native/sharing.ts | |
calendar-management-view | react-native-calendars | None | UI library for calendar/agenda screens. No wrapper, no permissions, no /add-native execution; screen-builder imports directly when present in package.json. |
location | expo-location | src/native/location.ts | One-shot/foreground fix only. For continuous background tracking with Dataverse sync, use geolocation (@microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation). Use only when the current template package contains expo-location |
biometrics, local-authentication | expo-local-authentication | src/native/biometrics.ts | Use only when the current template package contains expo-local-authentication |
clipboard | expo-clipboard | src/native/clipboard.ts | Use only when the current template package contains expo-clipboard |
mail-composer, email-draft | expo-mail-composer | src/native/mailComposer.ts | Opens native mail compose when the package is present; connectors still own server-side email sends |
media-library | expo-media-library | src/native/mediaLibrary.ts | Use for device media-library access only when package is present |
audio | expo-audio | src/native/audio.ts | Use for audio recording/playback only when package is present |
video | expo-video | src/native/video.ts | Use for video playback only when package is present |
sensors | expo-sensors | src/native/sensors.ts | Use only for sensor APIs exposed by the installed package |
screen-orientation | expo-screen-orientation | src/native/screenOrientation.ts | Use only when package is present; do not edit native config |
device-info | expo-device / expo-application / expo-cellular | src/native/deviceInfo.ts | Read-only device/app/cellular metadata wrappers |
date-time-picker | @react-native-community/datetimepicker | screen-level component usage | Use directly in form screens per screen-builder rules; no /add-native wrapper required |
calendar-ui | react-native-calendars | screen-level component usage | JS calendar UI only; not a native permissioned capability |
PDF / pen routing rules
- Do not treat every PDF request as
document-picker. - Use
document-pickerwhen the user wants to pick, import, or upload a local PDF/document. This remains supported and should still be used for that use case. - Use
pdf-reportwhen the app generates a PDF from records, evidence, inspection data, certificates, receipts, or reports, but only ifexpo-printis present inpackage.json. - Use
native-pdf-viewer/pdf-controlonly when the app opens/previews an HTTPS PDF URL with@microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer. Localfile://,content://, andblob:URIs are unsupported by the native viewer path. - If a request says "view/open PDF" but the Power Apps viewer package is absent, fall back to
pdf-reportonly when the app is generating its own report andexpo-printis present. Do not claim generic PDF viewing support throughexpo-print; it generates local files, it does not view arbitrary PDFs. - Use
pen-inputonly for signatures, drawn approvals, ink notes, sketches, and handwritten sign-off with@microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input. - For other use cases, use the relevant Expo module or other dependency already present in
package.json; do not force the Power Apps extensions into unrelated flows. - For generated local PDFs from
expo-print, useexpo-sharingfor local share/open behavior only ifexpo-sharingis present. Ifexpo-sharingis absent, generated PDFs can still be uploaded to Dataverse File storage; otherwise do not add local share/open behavior. - Host
FilePickerandImagePickerare still correct for user-selected Dataverse File/Image form fields. Generated PDFs and pen captures use native wrappers first, then Dataverse persistence helpers.
Dataverse artifact persistence rules
- Pen input returns a PNG data URI like
data:image/png;base64,.... - For Dataverse Image columns, normalize the data URI to the generated service payload shape. If raw base64 is required, strip the
data:image/png;base64,prefix. - For Dataverse File columns, convert the generated PDF or signature PNG into upload bytes/File, save or update the parent row first, then upload through the generated service helper.
- Never put File column bytes in the create/update JSON body. File bytes are uploaded only after the parent row ID exists.
- Screens must handle unsupported, cancelled, upload failed, and viewer failed states explicitly. Pen cancellation is a non-error result that screens can ignore.
Missing or banned packages: package.json plus the runtime-ban list is authoritative. If the relevant package/control is absent, or the package is runtime-banned, stop with a transparency note. expo-haptics remains banned unless the screen-builder hard rule is explicitly removed; use visual-only feedback instead.
Workflow
- Verify project → 2. Resolve capability → 3. Auto-route to dedicated skill if one exists → 4. Verify module is template-shipped → 5. Write wrapper → 6. Type-check → 7. Summary
Step 1 — Verify project
test -f app.config.js && test -f power.config.json && test -f package.jsonStep 2 — Resolve capability
If $ARGUMENTS includes a capability name, package name, or control name, use it. Otherwise look for a ## Native Capabilities section in native-app-plan.md and present the planned capabilities for confirmation. If neither exists, prompt the user with the supported-capabilities list above plus any relevant installed package from package.json that directly matches their request.
Normalize the capability name to lowercase, hyphenated form (e.g., Camera → camera, ImagePicker → image-picker, SecureStore → secure-store). Also normalize aliases: take-photo / photo / camera-control / expo-camera → camera; gallery / pick-image / expo-image-picker → image-picker; scanner / barcode / qr → barcode-scanner; open-pdf / view-pdf / pdf-control / pdf-viewer-control / @microsoft/power-apps-native-pdf-viewer → pdf-viewer; native-pdf-viewer → pdf-viewer; generate-pdf / pdf-export → pdf-report; signature / sign-off / ink / draw / pen-control / @microsoft/power-apps-native-pen-input → pen-input; location-tracking / background-location / gps-tracking / geo-tracking / track-location / power-apps-native-bglocation / @microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation → geolocation.
When the user asks for "location" or "GPS", disambiguate by intent: continuous/background tracking or durable Dataverse upload → geolocation (@microsoft/power-apps-native-bglocation); a single foreground coordinate read → location (expo-location). If the intent is unclear, ask once before routing.
If the user names something not in the supported table, apply the Native capability gate: resolve the relevant package from package.json, continue only when present and not runtime-banned, otherwise stop with a transparency note.
If the resolved capability is calendar-management-view, STOP after verifying react-native-calendars is present in package.json: no wrapper is generated because it is a UI library, not a device API. The screen-builder owns importing Calendar, CalendarProvider, ExpandableCalendar, AgendaList, Agenda, or CalendarList directly from react-native-calendars based on the approved screen spec.
Step 3 — Route to nested helpers or inline wrappers
For normalized camera, image-picker, barcode-scanner, qr-scanner, pdf-report, pdf-viewer, pen-input, or geolocation, do not fall through to the generic wrapper flow and do not tell the user to run another slash command. Read the nested helper and follow its steps inside this /add-native invocation:
case "<capability>" in
camera|image-picker|barcode-scanner|qr-scanner) test -f "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-camera/SKILL.md" && echo "INTERNAL_HELPER:add-camera" ;;
pdf-report) test -f "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pdf-report/SKILL.md" && echo "INTERNAL_HELPER:add-pdf-report" ;;
pdf-viewer) test -f "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pdf-viewer/SKILL.md" && echo "INTERNAL_HELPER:add-pdf-viewer" ;;
pen-input) test -f "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-pen-input/SKILL.md" && echo "INTERNAL_HELPER:add-pen-input" ;;
geolocation) test -f "${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/add-geolocation/SKILL.md" && echo "INTERNAL_HELPER:add-geolocation" ;;
*) echo "INLINE" ;;
esac- INTERNAL_HELPER: read the printed helper file, execute its workflow with the same
--working-dirand forwarded arguments, then STOP./add-nativeremains the only user-facing command for these controls. - INLINE: continue to Step 4.
Step 4 — Verify module is template-shipped
Confirm the underlying native-capability package is actually present in the project's package.json (catches the case where the user hand-removed it or the template version is older than expected):
node -e "const p = require('./package.json'); const m = '<expo-module-name>'; if (!p.dependencies?.[m]) { console.error('MISSING: ' + m + ' is not in package.json. The template should ship it. Re-scaffold via /create-mobile-app, restore it from upstream, or wait for the template release that adds it — this skill will not install it.'); process.exit(1); }"If the check fails, STOP. Do not run npx expo install. Print the error verbatim.
Step 5 — Write wrapper
Print before starting:
"→ Writing src/native/.ts (typed wrapper with discriminated-union result + iOS/Android platform guards)…"
Create src/native/<wrapper-filename>.ts (per the supported-capabilities table). If the file already exists, do NOT overwrite — append a comment noting "regeneration skipped — wrapper already exists" and skip to Step 6.
Each wrapper exports:
request<Capability>Permission(): Promise<boolean>— only when the underlying API has a permission model (location, biometrics, notifications). Skip for capabilities without one (secure-store, file-system, sharing, clipboard).- One or two domain methods returning typed results.
The contract screen-builder agents rely on:
- All wrappers return a discriminated-union result (
{ ok: true, ... } | { ok: false, reason, message? }) — never throw - Unsupported runtime/platform states gracefully degrade or return
{ ok: false, reason: 'unsupported' }— never crash - Branch by supported native platform when a capability differs between iOS and Android
- Screens import these wrappers only for non-Dataverse native workflows. Dataverse File/Image fields use
power-apps-native-hostcontrols from the File/Image Picker Ownership section above.
Coding the wrapper: consult the module's published API docs (linked from its npm page) for method signatures and permission patterns. Use the secure-store skeleton below as the canonical example of the discriminated-union shape — then translate to the target module's API.
Secure-store canonical skeleton:
// src/native/secureStore.ts
import * as SecureStore from 'expo-secure-store';
import { Platform } from 'react-native';
export type SecureResult<T> =
| { ok: true; value: T }
| { ok: false; reason: 'unsupported' | 'not-found' | 'error'; message?: string };
export async function getSecret(key: string): Promise<SecureResult<string>> {
if (Platform.OS !== 'ios' && Platform.OS !== 'android') {
return { ok: false, reason: 'unsupported', message: 'SecureStore is not available on this platform.' };
}
try {
const value = await SecureStore.getItemAsync(key);
if (value === null) return { ok: false, reason: 'not-found' };
return { ok: true, value };
} catch (e: any) {
return { ok: false, reason: 'error', message: e?.message };
}
}
export async function setSecret(key: string, value: string): Promise<SecureResult<true>> {
if (Platform.OS !== 'ios' && Platform.OS !== 'android') {
return { ok: false, reason: 'unsupported', message: 'SecureStore is not available on this platform.' };
}
try {
await SecureStore.setItemAsync(key, value);
return { ok: true, value: true };
} catch (e: any) {
return { ok: false, reason: 'error', message: e?.message };
}
}Step 6 — Type-check
Print before starting:
"→ Running tsc to verify wrapper compiles (~10–20 seconds)."
npx tsc --noEmitFix any wrapper-side errors. Do NOT run platform-specific native build commands here — and you should not need to, because no native config changed.
Step 7 — Summary
✅ Native wrapper generated: <capability>
─────────────────────────────────────────────
Module (template-shipped) : <expo-module>@<version-from-package.json>
Wrapper created : src/native/<capability>.ts
package.json : unchanged ✓
app.config.js : unchanged ✓
Type-check: PASS
Sample usage:
import { takePhoto } from '../../src/native/camera';
const result = await takePhoto();
if (result.ok) {
setPhotoUri(result.uri);
} else if (result.reason === 'permission-denied') {
showToast('Camera permission required');
}
⚠️ No native rebuild required. Wrappers are pure JS — Metro hot-reload picks them up.
The underlying native module was already linked when the template was scaffolded.
─────────────────────────────────────────────Notes
- This skill never modifies
package.json,app.config.js,src/playerConfig.ts,src/generated/, or any screen file. - For capabilities not in the supported table (
expo-notifications, Bluetooth, NFC, BLE, AR — until the template adds them), tell the user the template doesn't ship them yet — file a request at the upstream template repo. Do NOT attempt to install or configure anything yourself. - Generic JS-only libraries (
date-fns,zod,@tanstack/react-query, etc.) are out of scope for this skill but remain fine to install vianpx expo install <pkg>in other contexts — the prohibition above applies only to native modules with a config plugin or platform code.
npx skills add https://github.com/microsoft/power-platform-skills --skill add-nativeRun this in your project — your agent picks the skill up automatically.
No common issues documented yet. If you hit a problem, the repository's GitHub Issues page is the best place to look.
Licensed under MIT— you can use, modify, and redistribute it under that license's terms.
View the full license file on GitHub →