Android CLI Specialist

This skill provides instructions for using the android CLI tool. The tool includes various commands for creating projects, running applications, interacting with devices, and managing the CLI environment.

Installation

If the android tool is not in the path, install it. To install run the following command: Linux: curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/android/cli/latest/linux_x86_64/install.sh | bash Mac Arm: curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/android/cli/latest/darwin_arm64/install.sh | bash Mac Intel: curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/android/cli/latest/darwin_x86_64/install.sh | bash Windows: curl -fsSL https://dl.google.com/android/cli/latest/windows_x86_64/install.cmd -o "%TEMP%\i.cmd" && "%TEMP%\i.cmd"

SDK management

To manage the installation of Android SDKs and tools, use the sdk command. For example:

android sdk install <package>[@<version>]...: Install specific packages. Multiple packages can be specified, separated by spaces. <version> defaults to latest. For example: android sdk install platforms/android-30@2 platforms/android-34
android sdk update [<pkg-name>]: Update a specific package or all packages to the latest version.
android sdk remove <pkg-name>: Remove a package from the local SDK.
android sdk list --all: List installed and available SDK packages.

Project creation

Create projects from templates using the create command.

For example: android create empty-activity --name="My App" --output=./my-app

Interacting with Android devices

Use the android layout command to inspect the UI layout of an Android application in JSON format. Use the android screen command to visually inspect the UI and obtain bounding coordinates for visual regions.

IMPORTANT: Before using android layout or android screen, you MUST read this reference: interact.md The reference file interact.md contains instructions for properly interacting with Android devices. Follow its instructions exactly.

Running journey tests

Journey tests involve device interaction; use the android layout and android screen commands to evaluate Journeys. The instructions for device interaction apply here as well.

IMPORTANT: Before evaluating a journey, you MUST read this reference: journeys.md The reference file journeys.md contains instructions for correctly evaluating an Android journey. Follow its instructions exactly.

Doc searching

The docs command searches authoritative, high-quality Android developer documentation in the Android Knowledge Base. By providing a few keywords, this tool will return high quality articles that contain examples or guidance on how to use Android APIs or libraries. Use this tool to obtain additional information on how to achieve Android-specific tasks or to know more about Android APIs, surfaces, libraries, or devices.

Always use this tool to get the most up-to-date information about Android concepts. Typical good use cases are:

Finding migration guides for APIs.
Finding examples for APIs.
Finding up-to-date information about Android APIs.
Finding best practices for Android concepts.

Running APKs

Use the run command to run Android apps.

Managing emulators

Manage Android Virtual Devices (AVDs) using the android emulator command

Capturing screenshots

Capture an image of the current screen of a connected Android device and output it to a file using the android screen command.

Managing skills

Manage agent skills for Android using the android skills command.

Updating the CLI

Update the Android CLI using the android update command.

`android help` output

Usage: android [-Vhv] [--sdk=PARAM] [COMMAND] -h, --help Show the help message for this command --sdk=PARAM Path to the Android SDK -v, --verbose Enable verbose output for troubleshooting -V, --version Print version information and exit Commands: completion Installs shell autocomplete configuration for the Android CLI in the current user profile create Create a new Android project from available templates. Allows specifying project name, output directory, minSdk, and dry-run execution describe Analyzes an Android project to generate descriptive metadata. This command identifies and outputs the paths to JSON files that detail the project's structure, including build targets and their corresponding output artifact locations (e.g., APKs). This information enables other tools and commands to locate build artifacts efficiently docs Android documentation commands for searching and fetching developer documentation from the official knowledge base emulator Manage Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). Includes commands to start, stop, list, and view details about emulators help Shows the help of all commands info Print environment information including SDK location, connected devices, and configuration variables. Use specific fields to narrow the output init Initializes the environment for the Android CLI. Sets up required configurations, directories, and default skills install Install an Android Application (one or more APKs) to a connected device or emulator without activating any components using incremental optimizations for faster deployment than adb layout Returns the layout tree of an application run Build, deploy, and launch an Android application on a connected device or emulator screen Commands to view the device sdk Manage the Android SDK installation. Includes commands to install, update, remove, and list available and installed SDK packages skills Manage Android CLI skills. Includes commands to install, remove, list, and search for skills by keyword studio Android Studio commands update Update the Android CLI to the latest version

completion Usage: android completion [-h] [] Installs shell autocomplete configuration for the Android CLI in the current user profile

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      
      Positional Parameters:
        <shell>  If provided, print the given shell completion without
                 installing. Supported: bash, zsh

create Usage: android create [-h] [--application-id=PARAM] [--list] [--min-sdk=PARAM] [--name=PARAM] [--namespace=PARAM] [--output=PARAM] [] Create a new Android project from available templates. Allows specifying project name, output directory, minSdk, and dry-run execution

      Options:
            --application-id=PARAM  The application ID for the application
                                    (e.g. 'com.example.myapp')
        -h, --help                  Show the help message for this command
            --list                  List all available templates
            --min-sdk=PARAM         The 'minSdk' supported by the
                                    application (default is defined in the
                                    template)
            --name=PARAM            The name of the application (e.g. 'My
                                    Application')
            --namespace=PARAM       The namespace for resources and package
                                    name for Kotlin source files
        -o, --output=PARAM          The destination project directory path
                                    (default is '.')
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM             Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose               Enable verbose output for
                                    troubleshooting
        -V, --version               Print version information and exit
      
      Positional Parameters:
        <template-name>  The template name

describe Usage: android describe [-h] [--project_dir=PARAM] Analyzes an Android project to generate descriptive metadata. This command identifies and outputs the paths to JSON files that detail the project's structure, including build targets and their corresponding output artifact locations (e.g., APKs). This information enables other tools and commands to locate build artifacts efficiently

      Options:
        -h, --help               Show the help message for this command
            --project_dir=PARAM  The project directory to describe
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM          Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose            Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version            Print version information and exit

docs Usage: android docs [-h] [COMMAND] Android documentation commands for searching and fetching developer documentation from the official knowledge base

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        fetch   Fetch an Android documentation article from a URL (kb://...)
        search  Search Android documentation. Enclose keywords in quotes

emulator Usage: android emulator [-h] [COMMAND] Manage Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). Includes commands to start, stop, list, and view details about emulators

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        create  Creates a virtual device
        list    Lists available virtual devices
        remove  Delete a virtual device
        start   Launches the specified virtual device. This command will
                return when the emulator is fully started and ready to use
        stop    Stops the specified virtual device

help Usage: android help [-h] [COMMAND] Shows the help of all commands

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      
      Positional Parameters:
        COMMAND  The command to show help for

info Usage: android info [-h] [] Print environment information including SDK location, connected devices, and configuration variables. Use specific fields to narrow the output

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      
      Positional Parameters:
        <field>  The specific field to print the value of. If omitted print
                 all

init Usage: android init [-h] Initializes the environment for the Android CLI. Sets up required configurations, directories, and default skills

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit

install Usage: android install [-h] [--apks=PARAM] [--device=PARAM] [--install-options=PARAM] [--use-delta-install] Install an Android Application (one or more APKs) to a connected device or emulator without activating any components using incremental optimizations for faster deployment than adb

      Options:
            --apks=PARAM             The paths to the APKs, comma separated
            --device=PARAM           The device serial number
        -h, --help                   Show the help message for this command
            --install-options=PARAM  Additional options/flags to pass to
                                     package manager install (e.g. -g,-d)
            --use-delta-install      Use fast delta install (speeds up
                                     incremental updates by transferring
                                     only modified code and resources;
                                     default: true)
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM              Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose                Enable verbose output for
                                     troubleshooting
        -V, --version                Print version information and exit

layout Usage: android layout [-dhp] [--device=PARAM] [--flat] [--full] [--no-idle] [--output=PARAM] Returns the layout tree of an application

      Options:
            --device=PARAM  The device serial number
        -d, --diff          Deprecated; no-op flag. Will be removed in a
                            future release
            --flat          Returns a flat list instead of a tree
            --full          Return the full tree, including non-interactive
                            and hidden elements
        -h, --help          Show the help message for this command
            --no-idle       Don't wait for layout idle state when fetching
                            layout
        -o, --output=PARAM  Writes the layout to the specified file or
                            directory. If omitted, prints to standard output
        -p, --pretty        Pretty-prints the returned JSON
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM     Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose       Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version       Print version information and exit

run Usage: android run [-h] [--activity=PARAM] [--apks=PARAM] [--debug] [--device=PARAM] [--install-options=PARAM] [--type=PARAM] [--use-delta-install] Build, deploy, and launch an Android application on a connected device or emulator

      Options:
            --activity=PARAM         The activity name
            --apks=PARAM             The paths to the APKs, comma separated
            --debug                  Run in debug mode
            --device=PARAM           The device serial number
        -h, --help                   Show the help message for this command
            --install-options=PARAM  Additional options/flags to pass to
                                     package manager install (e.g. -g,-d)
            --type=PARAM             The component type (ACTIVITY,
                                     WATCH_FACE, TILE, COMPLICATION,
                                     DECLARATIVE_WATCH_FACE, WEAR_WIDGET)
            --use-delta-install      Use fast delta install (speeds up
                                     incremental updates by transferring
                                     only modified code and resources;
                                     default: true)
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM              Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose                Enable verbose output for
                                     troubleshooting
        -V, --version                Print version information and exit

screen Usage: android screen [-h] [COMMAND] Commands to view the device

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        capture  Outputs the device screen to a PNG
        resolve  Target UI elements visually. Substitutes bounding box
                 coordinates from a annotated screenshot into a string.
                 Replaces all instances of '#N' with the center coordinates
                 of the bounding box labeled 'N'

sdk Usage: android sdk [-h] [--ignore-outdated-xmls] [--platform=PARAM] [COMMAND] Manage the Android SDK installation. Includes commands to install, update, remove, and list available and installed SDK packages

      Options:
        -h, --help                  Show the help message for this command
            --ignore-outdated-xmls  When installing or updating packages, do
                                    not update other packages xmls
            --platform=PARAM        Target platform <os>_<arch> (e.g.
                                    linux_x86_64, mac_arm64, windows_x86),
                                    defaults to current host
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM             Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose               Enable verbose output for
                                    troubleshooting
        -V, --version               Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        install  Install SDK packages
        list     List installed and available SDK packages
        remove   Remove packages from the SDK
        update   Update one or all packages to the latest version

skills Usage: android skills [-h] [COMMAND] Manage Android CLI skills. Includes commands to install, remove, list, and search for skills by keyword

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        add     Install a specific skill by its ID to your environment
        find    Search for available skills in the repository matching a
                keyword
        list    List installed and available skills
        remove  Remove an installed skill by its ID
        update  Update installed skills

studio Usage: android studio [-h] [COMMAND] Android Studio commands

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit
      Commands:
        analyze-file            Analyze a file in Android Studio
        check                   Check the status of running Studio instances
        find-declaration        Find declaration of a symbol
        find-usages             Find usages of a symbol
        open-file               Open a file in Android Studio
        render-compose-preview  Render a Compose preview in Android Studio
        version-lookup          Looks up the latest available versions on
                                the internet of maven artifacts, Android
                                versions, and more

update Usage: android update [-h] [--url=PARAM] Update the Android CLI to the latest version

      Options:
        -h, --help       Show the help message for this command
            --url=PARAM  The URL to download the update from
      
      android options:
            --sdk=PARAM  Path to the Android SDK
        -v, --verbose    Enable verbose output for troubleshooting
        -V, --version    Print version information and exit

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