---
title: "Project structure"
description: "App files, folders and generated output."
---

```text
my-app/
  app/
    index.tsx
  ink.toml
  package.json
  tsconfig.json
  README.md
```

| File or folder | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| `app/index.tsx` | Your home screen |
| `app/` | Pages; each page exports a React component |
| `ink.toml` | App name, Android identifier, version and release signing |
| `package.json` | Packages your app uses and where to find local Ink packages |
| `tsconfig.json` | TypeScript settings; keep its `ink/tsconfig` extension |
| `bun.lock` | Exact installed package versions; keep it in version control |
| `node_modules/` | Installed packages; generated by Bun |
| `.ink/` | Generated entry point and build files; do not edit |
| `dist/` | Built APKs, the files you install on a phone |

Use optional `components/`, `lib/` and `assets/` folders for reusable components, data helpers and images. Keep non-page files outside `app/`.

Ink generates the app entry point. Add `app/_layout.tsx` when pages need shared state or tabs; see [layouts](/navigation#layouts).

## Environment variables

Prefix environment variables with `INK_PUBLIC_` to include them in the app:

```dotenv
# .env
INK_PUBLIC_BRIDGE_URL=https://bridge.example.com
```

```ts
const bridgeURL = import.meta.env.INK_PUBLIC_BRIDGE_URL;
```

Ink reads `.env`, then `.env.local`. Shell variables take precedence. Values are strings; a missing variable is `undefined`. Rebuild the app to change them, or edit the file while `ink dev` is running.

Values are readable from the APK. Use [Secure storage](/secure-store) for passwords and encryption keys. Add `.env.local` to `.gitignore`.

## Native features and app policies

Imports determine native modules automatically. Import `@ink/lightos` to include LightOS services; the old `[lightos] enabled` setting is no longer accepted. An optional `[lightos] server` changes the Android host application ID.

Use `[network] allow_cleartext = true` only when your app needs unencrypted HTTP. See [Network](/network). Configure background entry points and authentication redirects on their module pages.

The top-level `capabilities` array remains an advanced override for app-local native extensions. Ordinary apps do not need to repeat imported features there. Existing `network-cleartext` entries can be replaced with the network policy above.