> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sentiance.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sentiance.com/getting-started/sdk-integration/3.-sdk-initialization/react-native/expo.md).

# Expo

Initialization allows the SDK to perform detections in the background. You must always initialize the SDK before interacting with it. Only a limited set of SDK methods are safe to invoke on an uninitialized SDK.

## Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Setup the Sentiance Core Expo config plugin

The Sentiance Core config plugin is responsible for initializing the SDK during app startup. Make sure it is configured in your `app.json` before proceeding. \
\
Refer to the [Core integration guide](/getting-started/sdk-integration/2.-including-the-sdk/react-native/expo.md#configure-the-sentiance-expo-config-plugin) if you haven't set it up yet.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Ensure the SDK is initialized from JS/TS code

The Sentiance Core config plugin initializes the SDK asynchronously, so make sure to <mark style="color:$success;">`await ensureInitialized()`</mark> before your first SDK call to make sure the SDK is ready. It resolves once the SDK is initialized, and throws an <mark style="color:$primary;">`SdkInitializationError`</mark> if initialization failed or was never triggered.

```tsx
import SentianceCore, {
  SdkInitializationError,
} from "@sentiance-react-native/core";

try {
  // Resolves once native async init completes (immediately if already initialized).
  await SentianceCore.ensureInitialized();
  console.log("Sentiance SDK is initialized");

  // Safe to interact with the SDK from here on.
  const userExists = await SentianceCore.userExists();
  console.log("Sentiance user exists:", userExists);
} catch (err) {
  if (!(err instanceof SdkInitializationError)) {
    console.error("Unexpected error while awaiting Sentiance SDK init", err);
  } else {
    switch (err.reason) {
      case "NOT_TRIGGERED":
        // The native initializer was never called from Application.onCreate / AppDelegate.
        console.error("Sentiance SDK init was never triggered natively");
        break;
      case "EXCEPTION_OR_ERROR":
        console.error("Sentiance SDK init hit an exception or error:", err.message);
        break;
        
      // Handle the other cases here  
    }
  }
}
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Next: User Creation

After having successfully initialized the Sentiance SDK, you must now create a user. To do so, follow the instructions on [this page](/getting-started/sdk-integration/4.-user-creation.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}