[Enhancement] Add Renovate configuration for automated dependency updates with grouping

[RUKAYAT-CODER]

Overview

While Dependabot handles security updates, Renovate provides more powerful grouping, automerge, and scheduling options for routine dependency maintenance. Currently, developers must manually check for and apply dependency updates, leading to large version gaps that make individual updates risky. Renovate with automerge for patch updates and grouped PRs for minor updates would maintain a fresher dependency state with less manual effort.

Specifications

Features:

• renovate.json configuration in repository root
• Patch updates automerged if CI passes
• Minor updates grouped into weekly PR per package category (Expo, React Native, testing, etc.)
• Major updates require manual review with migration notes
• Lock file maintenance PR weekly

Tasks:

• Create renovate.json with extends: ['config:base']
• Configure packageRules for automerge on patch updates (devDependencies)
• Configure groups: expo-*, react-native-*, @testing-library/*
• Set schedule: weekly on Mondays for minor updates
• Enable lock file maintenance on Sundays
• Document Renovate workflow in CONTRIBUTING.md

Impacted Files:

• renovate.json (create)
• CONTRIBUTING.md

Acceptance Criteria

• Patch update PRs opened automatically and automerged if CI passes
• Minor update PRs grouped by category (max 1 PR per group per week)
• Major update PRs require manual review and merge
• Lock file maintenance PR created every Sunday

[Blessed-Femi]

@Blessed-Femi has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 6th wave.

I will love to work on this issue. I work effectively and on time.

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Blessed-Femi to this issue.

[Jerry-Tekh]

@Jerry-Tekh has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 6th wave.

Hi Repo Manager, I’ll take this.

I’ll add Renovate to rinafcode/teachLink_mobile: renovate.json with base config, automerge for patch updates, grouped weekly PRs for Expo/RN/testing, Sunday lockfile maintenance, and updated http://CONTRIBUTING.md docs.

Please assign me

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Jerry-Tekh to this issue.

[Jay-dev57]

@Jay-dev57 has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 6th wave.

Hi maintainer, I would like to work on this issue

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Jay-dev57 to this issue.

[Wildflower-mariposa]

@Wildflower-mariposa has applied to work on this issue as part of the Stellar Wave Program's 6th wave.

Hello,
I'd like to work on this issue. I can configure Renovate to automate dependency management with grouped updates, safe automerge policies, scheduled maintenance, and clear documentation while following the project's existing CI and contribution workflows.
I'll ensure the configuration is maintainable, thoroughly tested, and aligns with the specified update strategy.

ℹ️ Repo Maintainers: To accept this application, review their application or assign @Wildflower-mariposa to this issue.