# Getting Started

## What is it?

![](https://1827193846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M1QTd2VkMHX-_ibF2b8%2F-M1Uex9W3Cg5IgreLRy5%2F-M1UhANywPLyKRFab7ae%2Fsmartmockups_k6uun4i9.jpg?alt=media\&token=11b7f86e-63f2-4d74-b022-43099528bb87)

Pencilr is a Full stack social networking mobile app built with [React Native](https://facebook.github.io/react-native), [Nodejs](http://nodejs.org/), [Firebase](https://firebase.google.com/), [Express](http://expressjs.com/) and [TypeScript](https://www.typescriptlang.org/) for static type-checking. The app is implemented using functional components, [react hooks](https://reactjs.org/docs/hooks-reference.html) (useState, useEffect, useContext, useReducer, useRef , ...etc), and [Context-API](https://reactjs.org/docs/context.html#api) for state management. It includes a backend REST API built with cloud firestore, cloud functions and includes features like Facebook auth, uploading images, notifications, and much more.

Whether you are building a fully featured social networking app, online magazine, news, or story segments app, pencilr can serve as a starting point for your project or business idea.

## Quick Test

Before you purchase the app, you have to first try it and test it on Expo App Store.

* [x] Download Expo Client on your android/iOS device from here <https://expo.io/tools#client>.
* [x] Open your phone camera and scan the following QR code *(Android Only)* . **For iOS**, please drop me a message at <ali.makeen@icloud.com> to help you out testing the app on iOS devices:

![Scan to open (Android Only)](https://1827193846-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M1QTd2VkMHX-_ibF2b8%2F-M4Hfvbqc4tsHhT2uh2e%2F-M4HgUd4qAcwr7twrBkx%2FScreenshot%202020-04-07%20at%2010.30.15%20AM.png?alt=media\&token=58e2e729-f664-4c5f-9834-f9f5bc01ec53)

* [x] Expo Client will run the app for you to test and play with.
* [x] **You are ready to go!**
