diff --git a/.circleci/config.yml b/.circleci/config.yml
index bd613ddc..9ec72874 100644
--- a/.circleci/config.yml
+++ b/.circleci/config.yml
@@ -10,11 +10,28 @@ aliases:
     keys:
     - v1-yarn-cache-{{ arch }}-{{ checksum "package.json" }}-{{ checksum "tests/package.json" }}
     - v1-yarn-cache-{{ arch }}
+
   - &save-yarn-cache
     paths:
     - ~/.cache/yarn
     key: v1-yarn-cache-{{ arch }}-{{ checksum "package.json" }}-{{ checksum "tests/package.json" }}
 
+  - &configure-jet-detox-environment
+    name: Configure Jet + Detox Environment
+    command: |
+      brew install node@8
+      brew link node@8
+      brew tap wix/brew
+      brew install applesimutils
+      brew install watchman
+      touch .watchmanconfig
+      node -v
+
+  - &packager-jet
+    name: Start React Native Pacakager (background)
+    background: true
+    command: cd tests && yarn run packager-jet || true
+
   # -------------------------
   #       INSTALLATION
   # -------------------------
@@ -111,26 +128,20 @@ jobs:
     steps:
     - attach_workspace:
         at: ~/react-native-firebase
-    - run: xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 7 Plus" || true
-    - run: cd tests && yarn run packager-jet || true
+    - run:
+        name: Start iPhone 7 Plus simulator (background)
+        background: true
+        command: xcrun simctl boot "iPhone 7 Plus" || true
     - run:
         name: Configure Environment Variables
         command: |
           echo 'export PATH=/usr/local/opt/node@8/bin:$PATH' >> $BASH_ENV
           source $BASH_ENV
-    - run:
-        name: Install Node 8
-        command: |
-          brew install node@8
-          brew link node@8
-          brew tap wix/brew
-          brew install applesimutils
-          node -v
+    - run: *configure-jet-detox-environment
     - run: *yarn
-    # Download CocoaPods specs via HTTPS (faster than Git)
-    # and install CocoaPods.
+    - run: *packager-jet
     - run:
-        name: Install CocoaPods
+        name: Install CocoaPods +  Pod Install
         command: |
           cd tests/ios
           curl https://cocoapods-specs.circleci.com/fetch-cocoapods-repo-from-s3.sh | bash -s cf