---
title: "monorepo native deps in app"
description: "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."
type: skill
canonical_url: https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/monorepo-native-deps-in-app
source: "Claudary"
difficulty: intermediate
author: "Claude Code Knowledge Pack"
date: 2026-07-10T11:31:14.251Z
license: CC-BY-4.0
attribution: "monorepo native deps in app — Claudary (https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/monorepo-native-deps-in-app)"
---

# monorepo native deps in app
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.

## Overview

---
title: Install Native Dependencies in App Directory
impact: CRITICAL
impactDescription: required for autolinking to work
tags: monorepo, native, autolinking, installation
---

## 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
```

```json
// 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.

---

Source: [Claudary](https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com/skills/monorepo-native-deps-in-app) · https://claudary.paisolsolutions.com