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docs: Add main README for local build workflow
Maps all documentation files Quick start checklist Cost analysis and comparison Workflow overview with diagrams Support and troubleshooting reference This serves as the main entry point for understanding and using the entire local build system.
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‎README_LOCAL_BUILD.md‎

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# 🚀 Local Android Build Workflow Setup
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## Problem Solved ✅
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You hit your Expo.dev build limit for the next 3 days and don't want to pay $20 for a subscription.
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**Solution:** Build APKs directly on your local machine using GitHub Actions self-hosted runners.
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---
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## What You Got
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### 1 New Workflow File
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- **`.github/workflows/local-android-build.yml`** - Builds APKs using Gradle on your machine
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### 6 Documentation Guides
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1. **`GETTING_STARTED.md`** ← **START HERE** (5-minute setup)
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2. **`LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md`** - Detailed setup with all prerequisites
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3. **`LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md`** - Quick reference card
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4. **`LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md`** - Solutions for 15+ issues
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5. **`LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md`** - Visual diagrams
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6. **`IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md`** - Features overview
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---
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## Quick Start (5 Steps)
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### Read This First
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👉 Open **`GETTING_STARTED.md`** and follow the 5-step setup (takes ~15 minutes)
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### What Those Steps Do
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1. ✅ Verify your machine has Java 17+, Android SDK, Node 22+
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2. ✅ Create a GitHub Personal Access Token
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3. ✅ Install GitHub Actions runner on your machine
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4. ✅ Verify runner is online
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5. ✅ Trigger your first test build
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### After Setup
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- Builds run automatically on `git push` or manually via GitHub Actions
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- APKs download from GitHub Releases or Artifacts
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- Install on device: `adb install app-release-*.apk`
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---
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## Cost Savings
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| | Local Build | EAS (Expo.dev) |
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|:-|:----------:|:-:|
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| **Setup** | 15 min | 2 min |
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| **Monthly** | $5-20* | $20+ |
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| **Annual** | $60-240* | $240-1200+ |
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| **Savings** | ✅ | ❌ |
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*Electricity only - No subscription fees!*
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**You save $240-960/year** 🎉
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---
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## Files Reference
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| File | Purpose | When to Read |
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|------|---------|---|
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| `GETTING_STARTED.md` | **5-minute setup** | **First** - Get going immediately |
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| `.github/workflows/local-android-build.yml` | The actual workflow | When curious about the implementation |
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| `LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md` | Detailed setup guide | If you hit prerequisites issues |
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| `LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md` | Quick reference | For commands & troubleshooting |
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| `LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md` | System design & diagrams | To understand how it works |
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| `LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md` | Issue solutions | When something breaks |
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| `IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md` | Feature overview | For complete reference |
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---
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## Workflow Overview
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```
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Push Code (or manual trigger)
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↓
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GitHub Actions detects trigger
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↓
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Runs on YOUR self-hosted runner
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↓
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1. npm install dependencies
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2. npm run prepare (create Expo bundle)
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3. ./gradlew assembleRelease (Gradle builds APK)
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↓
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APK signed with debug keystore
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↓
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Uploaded to GitHub Artifacts
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↓
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GitHub Release created with changelog
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↓
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Download & install: adb install app-release-*.apk
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```
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---
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## Key Features
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✨ **Zero Expo.dev Costs**
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- Build directly on your machine
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- No subscription required
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- Only pay for electricity
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✨ **GitHub Integration**
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- Releases generated automatically
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- Changelogs from git commits
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- Artifacts retained 14 days
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- Real-time build logs
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✨ **Version Control**
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- Auto-increments on main branch
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- Pre-release versions for dev branches
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- Build metadata tracked
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✨ **Full Control**
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- Customize Gradle build
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- Modify build parameters
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- Access all build files
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✨ **Complete Documentation**
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- 6 detailed guides
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- 15+ troubleshooting solutions
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- Architecture diagrams
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- Visual references
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---
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## You Now Have TWO Workflows
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### Local Build (NEW - Your Machine)
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- ✅ Build Android APKs
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- ✅ Cost: Free (electricity only)
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- ✅ Speed: 5-30 minutes
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- ❌ Requires your machine online
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- ❌ Can't build iOS
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### EAS Build (EXISTING - Expo Cloud)
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- ✅ Build Android & iOS
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- ✅ Works offline
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- ❌ Cost: $20+/month
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- ❌ Slower with queue times
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**Use Local Build to save money, use EAS when offline or for iOS** ✅
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---
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## Next Steps
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### Immediately
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1. **Read:** [`GETTING_STARTED.md`](GETTING_STARTED.md)
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2. **Follow:** The 5-step setup
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3. **Test:** Manually trigger a build
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### If You Get Stuck
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1. **Check:** [`LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md`](LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md)
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2. **Read:** [`LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md`](LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md) for detailed instructions
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3. Check GitHub Actions logs for error details
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### To Understand Everything
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- **Architecture:** [`LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md`](LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md)
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- **Features:** [`IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md`](IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md)
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- **Reference:** [`LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md`](LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md)
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---
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## Typical Build Times
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| Scenario | Time |
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|----------|------|
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| **First build** (cold cache) | 20-30 min |
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| **Subsequent builds** (warm cache) | 5-10 min |
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| **After cache clear** | 25-35 min |
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*Depends on your machine specs and network speed*
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---
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## After Build Completes
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### Download APK
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- **GitHub Actions:** Actions tab → Artifacts → `android-apk-local`
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- **GitHub Releases:** Releases tab → Latest release → Download APK
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### Install on Device
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```bash
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# USB debugging must be enabled
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adb install app-release-v1.0.80-build-*.apk
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```
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### On Emulator
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```bash
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adb -e install app-release-v1.0.80-build-*.apk
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```
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---
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## File Structure
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```
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codebuilder-app/
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│
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├── .github/workflows/
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│ ├── eas-android-build.yml (Existing)
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│ └── local-android-build.yml (NEW - The workflow)
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│
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├── GETTING_STARTED.md ← START HERE
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├── LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md (Detailed setup)
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├── LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md (Quick reference)
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├── LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md (Issue solutions)
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├── LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md (System design)
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├── IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md (Feature overview)
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│
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└── ... rest of your project
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```
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---
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## Runner Management
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After setup, manage your runner with these commands:
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```bash
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# Check if runner is online
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sudo systemctl status actions.runner.*
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# Stop runner (prevents new builds)
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sudo ./svc.sh stop
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# Start runner (enables builds)
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sudo ./svc.sh start
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# Restart (troubleshooting)
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sudo ./svc.sh restart
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# View detailed logs
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tail -50 ~/.github-runner/_diag/Runner_*.log
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```
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---
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## Commits Made
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All changes have been committed:
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```
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6d7a063 docs: Add getting started guide (5-minute setup)
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074ba5f docs: Add architecture diagrams and visual guides
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b99e70c feat: Add local Android build workflow (self-hosted runner)
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```
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Ready to use! ✅
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---
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## Support
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| Need Help With | See |
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|---|---|
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| Getting started | `GETTING_STARTED.md` |
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| Prerequisites | `LOCAL_BUILD_SETUP.md` |
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| Quick commands | `LOCAL_BUILD_QUICKSTART.md` |
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| Fixing issues | `LOCAL_BUILD_TROUBLESHOOTING.md` |
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| Understanding architecture | `LOCAL_BUILD_ARCHITECTURE.md` |
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| Feature comparison | `IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md` |
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---
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## Questions?
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Most answers are in the documentation guides - start with `GETTING_STARTED.md` and follow the 5-step setup.
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If stuck, check the troubleshooting guide for your specific issue.
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---
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## 🎉 You're Ready!
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Everything is set up and documented. Now:
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1. **Open:** [`GETTING_STARTED.md`](GETTING_STARTED.md)
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2. **Follow:** The setup steps
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3. **Build:** Your first APK without Expo charges
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4. **Enjoy:** Saving $240-960/year! 💰
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Happy building! 📱

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