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android-kotlin skill

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This skill helps you bootstrap Android Kotlin projects with Coroutines, Hilt, Jetpack Compose, and clean architecture patterns.

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---
name: android-kotlin
description: Android Kotlin development with Coroutines, Jetpack Compose, Hilt, and MockK testing
---

# Android Kotlin Skill

*Load with: base.md*

---

## Project Structure

```
project/
├── app/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── main/
│   │   │   ├── kotlin/com/example/app/
│   │   │   │   ├── data/               # Data layer
│   │   │   │   │   ├── local/          # Room database
│   │   │   │   │   ├── remote/         # Retrofit/Ktor services
│   │   │   │   │   └── repository/     # Repository implementations
│   │   │   │   ├── di/                 # Hilt modules
│   │   │   │   ├── domain/             # Business logic
│   │   │   │   │   ├── model/          # Domain models
│   │   │   │   │   ├── repository/     # Repository interfaces
│   │   │   │   │   └── usecase/        # Use cases
│   │   │   │   ├── ui/                 # Presentation layer
│   │   │   │   │   ├── feature/        # Feature screens
│   │   │   │   │   │   ├── FeatureScreen.kt      # Compose UI
│   │   │   │   │   │   └── FeatureViewModel.kt
│   │   │   │   │   ├── components/     # Reusable Compose components
│   │   │   │   │   └── theme/          # Material theme
│   │   │   │   └── App.kt              # Application class
│   │   │   ├── res/
│   │   │   └── AndroidManifest.xml
│   │   ├── test/                       # Unit tests
│   │   └── androidTest/                # Instrumentation tests
│   └── build.gradle.kts
├── build.gradle.kts                    # Project-level build file
├── gradle.properties
├── settings.gradle.kts
└── CLAUDE.md
```

---

## Gradle Configuration (Kotlin DSL)

### App-level build.gradle.kts
```kotlin
plugins {
    id("com.android.application")
    id("org.jetbrains.kotlin.android")
    id("com.google.dagger.hilt.android")
    id("com.google.devtools.ksp")
}

android {
    namespace = "com.example.app"
    compileSdk = 34

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId = "com.example.app"
        minSdk = 24
        targetSdk = 34
        versionCode = 1
        versionName = "1.0"

        testInstrumentationRunner = "androidx.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner"
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            isMinifyEnabled = true
            proguardFiles(
                getDefaultProguardFile("proguard-android-optimize.txt"),
                "proguard-rules.pro"
            )
        }
    }

    compileOptions {
        sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_17
        targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_17
    }

    kotlinOptions {
        jvmTarget = "17"
    }

    buildFeatures {
        compose = true
    }

    composeOptions {
        kotlinCompilerExtensionVersion = "1.5.8"
    }
}

dependencies {
    // Compose BOM
    val composeBom = platform("androidx.compose:compose-bom:2024.01.00")
    implementation(composeBom)
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui")
    implementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling-preview")
    implementation("androidx.compose.material3:material3")
    implementation("androidx.activity:activity-compose:1.8.2")
    implementation("androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel-compose:2.7.0")

    // Coroutines
    implementation("org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-coroutines-android:1.7.3")

    // Hilt
    implementation("com.google.dagger:hilt-android:2.50")
    ksp("com.google.dagger:hilt-compiler:2.50")
    implementation("androidx.hilt:hilt-navigation-compose:1.1.0")

    // Room
    implementation("androidx.room:room-runtime:2.6.1")
    implementation("androidx.room:room-ktx:2.6.1")
    ksp("androidx.room:room-compiler:2.6.1")

    // Testing
    testImplementation("junit:junit:4.13.2")
    testImplementation("io.mockk:mockk:1.13.9")
    testImplementation("org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-coroutines-test:1.7.3")
    testImplementation("app.cash.turbine:turbine:1.0.0")
    androidTestImplementation("androidx.test.ext:junit:1.1.5")
    androidTestImplementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-junit4")
    debugImplementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling")
    debugImplementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-manifest")
}
```

---

## Kotlin Coroutines & Flow

### ViewModel with StateFlow
```kotlin
@HiltViewModel
class UserViewModel @Inject constructor(
    private val getUserUseCase: GetUserUseCase,
    private val savedStateHandle: SavedStateHandle
) : ViewModel() {

    private val _uiState = MutableStateFlow(UserUiState())
    val uiState: StateFlow<UserUiState> = _uiState.asStateFlow()

    private val userId: String = checkNotNull(savedStateHandle["userId"])

    init {
        loadUser()
    }

    fun loadUser() {
        viewModelScope.launch {
            _uiState.update { it.copy(isLoading = true) }

            getUserUseCase(userId)
                .catch { e ->
                    _uiState.update {
                        it.copy(isLoading = false, error = e.message)
                    }
                }
                .collect { user ->
                    _uiState.update {
                        it.copy(isLoading = false, user = user, error = null)
                    }
                }
        }
    }

    fun clearError() {
        _uiState.update { it.copy(error = null) }
    }
}

data class UserUiState(
    val user: User? = null,
    val isLoading: Boolean = false,
    val error: String? = null
)
```

### Repository with Flow
```kotlin
interface UserRepository {
    fun getUser(userId: String): Flow<User>
    fun observeUsers(): Flow<List<User>>
    suspend fun saveUser(user: User)
}

class UserRepositoryImpl @Inject constructor(
    private val api: UserApi,
    private val dao: UserDao,
    private val dispatcher: CoroutineDispatcher = Dispatchers.IO
) : UserRepository {

    override fun getUser(userId: String): Flow<User> = flow {
        // Emit cached data first
        dao.getUserById(userId)?.let { emit(it) }

        // Fetch from network and update cache
        val remoteUser = api.getUser(userId)
        dao.insert(remoteUser)
        emit(remoteUser)
    }.flowOn(dispatcher)

    override fun observeUsers(): Flow<List<User>> =
        dao.observeAllUsers().flowOn(dispatcher)

    override suspend fun saveUser(user: User) = withContext(dispatcher) {
        api.saveUser(user)
        dao.insert(user)
    }
}
```

---

## Jetpack Compose

### Screen with ViewModel
```kotlin
@Composable
fun UserScreen(
    viewModel: UserViewModel = hiltViewModel(),
    onNavigateBack: () -> Unit
) {
    val uiState by viewModel.uiState.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()

    UserScreenContent(
        uiState = uiState,
        onRefresh = viewModel::loadUser,
        onErrorDismiss = viewModel::clearError,
        onNavigateBack = onNavigateBack
    )
}

@Composable
private fun UserScreenContent(
    uiState: UserUiState,
    onRefresh: () -> Unit,
    onErrorDismiss: () -> Unit,
    onNavigateBack: () -> Unit
) {
    Scaffold(
        topBar = {
            TopAppBar(
                title = { Text("User Profile") },
                navigationIcon = {
                    IconButton(onClick = onNavigateBack) {
                        Icon(Icons.AutoMirrored.Filled.ArrowBack, "Back")
                    }
                }
            )
        }
    ) { padding ->
        Box(
            modifier = Modifier
                .fillMaxSize()
                .padding(padding)
        ) {
            when {
                uiState.isLoading -> {
                    CircularProgressIndicator(
                        modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.Center)
                    )
                }
                uiState.user != null -> {
                    UserContent(user = uiState.user)
                }
            }

            uiState.error?.let { error ->
                Snackbar(
                    modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.BottomCenter),
                    action = {
                        TextButton(onClick = onErrorDismiss) {
                            Text("Dismiss")
                        }
                    }
                ) {
                    Text(error)
                }
            }
        }
    }
}
```

---

## Sealed Classes for State

### Result Wrapper
```kotlin
sealed interface Result<out T> {
    data class Success<T>(val data: T) : Result<T>
    data class Error(val exception: Throwable) : Result<Nothing>
    data object Loading : Result<Nothing>
}

fun <T> Result<T>.getOrNull(): T? = (this as? Result.Success)?.data

inline fun <T, R> Result<T>.map(transform: (T) -> R): Result<R> = when (this) {
    is Result.Success -> Result.Success(transform(data))
    is Result.Error -> this
    is Result.Loading -> this
}
```

---

## Testing with MockK & Turbine

### ViewModel Tests
```kotlin
@OptIn(ExperimentalCoroutinesApi::class)
class UserViewModelTest {

    @get:Rule
    val mainDispatcherRule = MainDispatcherRule()

    private val getUserUseCase: GetUserUseCase = mockk()
    private val savedStateHandle = SavedStateHandle(mapOf("userId" to "123"))

    private lateinit var viewModel: UserViewModel

    @Before
    fun setup() {
        viewModel = UserViewModel(getUserUseCase, savedStateHandle)
    }

    @Test
    fun `loadUser success updates state with user`() = runTest {
        val user = User("123", "John Doe", "[email protected]")
        coEvery { getUserUseCase("123") } returns flowOf(user)

        viewModel.uiState.test {
            val initial = awaitItem()
            assertFalse(initial.isLoading)

            viewModel.loadUser()

            val loading = awaitItem()
            assertTrue(loading.isLoading)

            val success = awaitItem()
            assertFalse(success.isLoading)
            assertEquals(user, success.user)
        }
    }
}

class MainDispatcherRule(
    private val dispatcher: TestDispatcher = UnconfinedTestDispatcher()
) : TestWatcher() {
    override fun starting(description: Description) {
        Dispatchers.setMain(dispatcher)
    }
    override fun finished(description: Description) {
        Dispatchers.resetMain()
    }
}
```

---

## GitHub Actions

```yaml
name: Android Kotlin CI

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest

    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v4

      - name: Set up JDK 17
        uses: actions/setup-java@v4
        with:
          java-version: '17'
          distribution: 'temurin'

      - name: Setup Gradle
        uses: gradle/actions/setup-gradle@v3

      - name: Run Detekt
        run: ./gradlew detekt

      - name: Run Ktlint
        run: ./gradlew ktlintCheck

      - name: Run Unit Tests
        run: ./gradlew testDebugUnitTest

      - name: Build Debug APK
        run: ./gradlew assembleDebug
```

---

## Lint Configuration

### detekt.yml
```yaml
build:
  maxIssues: 0

complexity:
  LongMethod:
    threshold: 20
  LongParameterList:
    functionThreshold: 4
  TooManyFunctions:
    thresholdInFiles: 10

style:
  MaxLineLength:
    maxLineLength: 120
  WildcardImport:
    active: true

coroutines:
  GlobalCoroutineUsage:
    active: true
```

---

## Kotlin Anti-Patterns

- ❌ **Blocking coroutines on Main** - Never use `runBlocking` on main thread
- ❌ **GlobalScope usage** - Use structured concurrency with viewModelScope/lifecycleScope
- ❌ **Collecting flows in init** - Use `repeatOnLifecycle` or `collectAsStateWithLifecycle`
- ❌ **Mutable state exposure** - Expose `StateFlow` not `MutableStateFlow`
- ❌ **Not handling exceptions in flows** - Always use `catch` operator
- ❌ **Lateinit for nullable** - Use `lazy` or nullable with `?`
- ❌ **Hardcoded dispatchers** - Inject dispatchers for testability
- ❌ **Not using sealed classes** - Prefer sealed for finite state sets
- ❌ **Side effects in Composables** - Use `LaunchedEffect`/`SideEffect`
- ❌ **Unstable Compose parameters** - Use stable/immutable types or `@Stable`

Overview

This skill provides an opinionated Android Kotlin starter focused on Coroutines, Jetpack Compose, Hilt dependency injection, Room, and testable architecture. It favors security-first, spec-driven patterns and includes Gradle Kotlin DSL, CI, linting, and testing setup to bootstrap robust apps quickly. The layout and examples show how to structure layers, state management, and common utilities.

How this skill works

The skill outlines a project structure with clear data, domain, DI, and UI layers, plus an Application entry. It demonstrates StateFlow-based ViewModel patterns, repository implementations using Flow, Compose screens wired to ViewModels, and sealed result wrappers. It also provides Gradle dependency setup, detekt/ktlint linting rules, GitHub Actions for CI, and example unit tests using MockK and Turbine.

When to use it

  • Starting a new Android app that uses Compose, Coroutines, Hilt, and Room
  • When you need a testable architecture with injected dispatchers and unit testing patterns
  • Bootstrapping apps that must pass CI and static analysis (detekt/ktlint)
  • Adopting Flow/StateFlow for predictable UI state and reactive data layers
  • Creating apps that prioritize security and spec-driven design from day one

Best practices

  • Use StateFlow + collectAsStateWithLifecycle in Composables to observe ViewModel state
  • Inject CoroutineDispatcher for repository and use flowOn/withContext for threading
  • Expose immutable StateFlow to consumers and keep MutableStateFlow private
  • Handle Flow errors with catch and surface user-friendly messages in UI
  • Avoid GlobalScope and blocking calls on main; use structured concurrency (viewModelScope)
  • Write unit tests with MockK, Turbine, and a MainDispatcherRule to control coroutines

Example use cases

  • User profile screen that loads cached data first then refreshes from network
  • Feature module wired with Hilt modules, Room DAO, and Retrofit/Ktor API client
  • CI pipeline that runs detekt, ktlint, unit tests, and assembles a debug APK
  • Sealed Result wrapper to standardize success/loading/error across layers
  • Compose screen showing loading, content, and Snackbar-based error handling

FAQ

How should I test ViewModel coroutine behavior?

Use a TestDispatcher (via a MainDispatcherRule), MockK to stub use cases, and Turbine to assert StateFlow emissions deterministically.

How do I avoid blocking the main thread?

Inject dispatchers and perform IO on Dispatchers.IO or a TestDispatcher; never call runBlocking on the main thread and prefer viewModelScope.launch for async work.