React Native Init Hanging

Question

I am unable to create a new React Native project via react-native init <ProjectName>.

This is the first time I've tried since upgrading to macOS Sierra, but I don't know if that's related.

If I run the command with the --verbose flag, it runs through all the npm packages, but then eventually outputs the following:

├── UNMET PEER DEPENDENCY react@~15.3.1
<List of other packages including react-native 0.34.1>

npm WARN [email protected] requires a peer of react@~15.3.1 but none was installed.
npm verb 
npm verb If you need help, you may report this error at:
npm verb     <https://github.com/npm/npm/issues>
npm verb exit [ 0, true ]
npm info ok 

It then just sits there indefinitely. Last time I created a react native project it would take maybe 20-30 seconds max, but now it never completes (after say 10-15 minutes).

If I kill the process, all I have is a package.json with just the following in:

{
  "name": "TestApp",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "private": true,
  "scripts": {
    "start": "node node_modules/react-native/local-cli/cli.js start"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "react-native": "0.34.1"
  }
}

...and the node_modules folder containig react-native and its dependencies. None of the required XCode/Android folders are there, or the index entry points, configs etc.

I have tried reinstalling all the required dependencies (node, homebrew) and I have also reinstalled git via homebrew.

I've seen other threads that suggest manually installing React, but I don't buy it. This used to work and React used to get installed as part of the process, but now I get this warning and it's game over.

Anyone else seen this issue?

EDIT

I just tried this on my other Mac, also running macOS Sierra and it worked fine. I followed the same steps on that to ensure all my dependencies were up to date first. I did a verbose init and still got the warning about React 15.3.1 being missing, but it then carried on and install Reacrt 15.3.2 and then set up all the XCode/Android project files.

Very odd/annoying as I really need to start putting something together on this Mac.

SECOND EDIT

If I create a new user account on my Mac and log in as that, I can create a project, so it seems to be user-specific. Although annoying, I don't mind setting a new account up, but before I do would like to see if anyone can offer any suggestions. Thanks.

Answer 1

So the issue turned about to be watchman, as outlined here: https://github.com/facebook/react-native/issues/9943

If I ran watchman version the terminal hung, so as per the instructions I did:

rm -rf /usr/local/var/run/watchman/ && brew uninstall watchman && brew install watchman

...and it worked a treat!