Add imperative focusTextInput() method

README.md

@@ -151,6 +151,10 @@ e.g.
 - **`onInputTextChanged`** _(Function)_ - Callback when the input text changes
 - **`maxInputLength`** _(Integer)_ - Max message composer TextInput length
 
+## Imperative methods
+
+- `focusTextInput()` - Open the keyboard and focus the text input box
+
 ## Notes for [Redux](https://github.com/reactjs/redux)
 
 The `messages` prop should work out-of-the-box with Redux. In most cases this is all you need.

src/GiftedChat.js

@@ -365,6 +365,12 @@ class GiftedChat extends React.Component {
     });
   }
 
+  focusTextInput() {
+    if (this.textInput) {
+      this.textInput.focus();
+    }
+  }
+
   onInputSizeChanged(size) {
     const newComposerHeight = Math.max(MIN_COMPOSER_HEIGHT, Math.min(MAX_COMPOSER_HEIGHT, size.height));
     const newMessagesContainerHeight = this.getMessagesContainerHeightWithKeyboard(newComposerHeight);