Preview & workbench
Fix common preview, bundler, and workbench issues in OpenV2.
Most build problems show up first in the preview panel or preview logs. Start here when the app won't load or won't update.
Preview shows “Unmatched Route” or 404
Expo Router shows this when the app navigates to a screen that has no matching file under app/.
- Read the path in the error (e.g.
/profile,/tabs/home). - Ask the chat to create the missing route and link it from your navigation.
- Confirm the file exists — flat routes use
app/<name>.tsx; nested routes need matching folders.
If you tapped a button that should work, tell the AI which button and what screen you expected.
Preview shows a blank or white screen
- Open Preview logs in the workbench and look for red Metro errors (missing imports, syntax errors, invalid JSX).
- Wait 10–20 seconds after a large AI edit — the in-browser bundler may still be compiling.
- Ask the chat to fix the preview error and paste the error text from the logs if needed.
- Open Version history and restore the last working snapshot if a recent change broke the app.
Red error screen in preview
| Symptom | What to try |
|---|---|
Unable to resolve module | A file or package import is wrong. Ask the AI to fix the import path or remove the unused dependency. |
| Syntax / TypeScript error | Check the file named in the stack trace in the Code editor, or ask the AI to fix it. |
| Runtime crash on launch | Open preview logs, copy the error, and send it in chat with steps to reproduce. |
Preview not updating after edits
- Save the file in the code editor (changes auto-save in most cases, but confirm the tab shows no unsaved indicator).
- Large refactors can take several seconds to rebundle — watch preview logs for progress.
- If the preview stays stale, refresh the browser tab or close and reopen the project from the Project hub.
Device preview / QR issues
See the dedicated table in Preview on device. Common fixes:
- Rescan the QR code after the preview finishes bundling
- Pull down to refresh in Expo Go
- Confirm phone and computer are online
Visual editor not selecting elements
- Switch to Design mode in the workbench header.
- Some custom components or deeply nested views may not be selectable — edit those in chat or the code editor instead.
- If the preview iframe failed to load, fix bundler errors first.
Workbench slow or stuck loading
- Check your network connection — OpenV2 loads the project and preview over the web.
- Try opening the project again from the dashboard.
- Very large projects may take longer on first open while files sync.
Still stuck?
- Use Version history to roll back
- Email support@openv2.dev with your project name and a screenshot of preview logs