Scaffolding, Intents & SDK

Project Creation

Jetpack Compose Project (default)

Create a new Android project called MyApp with package com.example.myapp in ~/Projects

Creates a complete project with Kotlin, Gradle KTS, and Jetpack Compose.

XML Layout Project

Create an XML-based Android project called MyApp with package com.example.myapp

Custom SDK Versions

Create a project called LegacyApp with minSdk 21 and targetSdk 34

Custom Kotlin and AGP Versions

Create a project with Kotlin 2.1.0 and AGP version 8.7.3

Full Custom Project

Create an Android project called MyApp with package com.example.myapp, minSdk 24, targetSdk 35, Compose enabled, in ~/Projects

Tip

After creating a project, immediately build it to verify everything is set up correctly: “Build my MyApp project”

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Component Scaffolding

Activities

With layout

Create a DetailActivity in my project with package com.example.myapp

Creates both the Activity Kotlin file and a corresponding XML layout.

Without layout

Scaffold a SettingsActivity without a layout file

Creates only the Activity Kotlin file — useful for Compose-based activities.

Fragments

With layout

Create a ProfileFragment with package com.example.myapp

Creates the Fragment Kotlin file and XML layout.

Without layout

Create a HomeFragment without a layout

Fragment only, no XML.

Compose Screens

Basic screen

Create a ProfileScreen composable with package com.example.myapp

Generates a screen file with a composable function and preview.

With ViewModel

Scaffold a SettingsScreen with a ViewModel

Generates both the screen composable and a ViewModel class.

Scaffold Multiple Components for a Feature

1. Create the screen

   Create a ProductDetailScreen composable with ViewModel

2. Create a list screen

   Create a ProductListScreen composable with ViewModel

3. Create a data Activity if needed

   Create a ProductActivity with package com.example.myapp

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Intent Testing

Common Intent Actions

What you want	Prompt
Open URL in browser	”Open https://example.com on my device”
Open Settings	”Send intent with action android.settings.SETTINGS on my device”
Open WiFi settings	”Send intent with action android.settings.WIFI_SETTINGS”
Open app settings	”Send intent with action android.settings.APPLICATION_DETAILS_SETTINGS with data package:com.example.myapp”
Dial a number	”Send intent with action android.intent.action.DIAL and data tel:+1234567890”
Send email	”Send intent with action android.intent.action.SENDTO and data mailto:test@example.com”
Open camera	”Send intent with action android.media.action.IMAGE_CAPTURE”
Share text	”Send intent with action android.intent.action.SEND with extra android.intent.extra.TEXT=Hello”

Custom App Intents

Send intent with action com.example.myapp.REFRESH on my device

Send intent VIEW with data https://example.com/product/123 to component com.example.myapp/.DeepLinkActivity

Intents with Extras

Send intent with action com.example.MY_ACTION with extras: key1=value1 and key2=value2

Intents with Flags

Send intent VIEW with data https://example.com and flag 0x10000000

The flag 0x10000000 is FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK.

Note

Intent extras are sent as strings. If your app expects other types, you may need to handle type conversion in your BroadcastReceiver or Activity.

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Deep Link Testing

Custom Scheme Deep Links

Test deep link myapp://profile/123 on my device

Test deep link myapp://settings/notifications

Test deep link myapp://product?id=456&ref=home

App Links (HTTPS)

Test deep link https://example.com/product/456 on my device

Test https://example.com/user/profile in com.example.myapp

Restrict to Specific App

Test deep link myapp://checkout in com.example.myapp

By specifying the package name, you bypass the Android chooser dialog.

Verify Deep Link Routing

1. Clear logcat first

   Clear the logcat buffer

2. Test the deep link

   Test deep link myapp://profile/123 on my device

3. Check logs to verify routing

   Show logcat for tag DeepLinkHandler

4. Take a screenshot to verify the correct screen

   Take a screenshot

Tip

Test both your custom scheme links (myapp://) and your App Links (https://yourdomain.com/) to make sure both work correctly.

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Broadcast Testing

Send Custom Broadcasts

Send broadcast com.example.myapp.REFRESH on my device

Send broadcast com.example.DATA_SYNC

Broadcasts with Extras

Send broadcast com.example.CONFIG_UPDATE with extras: version=2 and force=true

Target Specific Components

Send broadcast com.example.NOTIFY to component com.example.myapp/.MyReceiver

Caution

Starting with Android 8.0 (API 26), implicit broadcasts are restricted. Most custom broadcasts need to be explicit (targeting a specific component) or registered dynamically.

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SDK Management

Check What’s Installed

List my installed SDK packages

Shows all installed platforms, build tools, system images, and other components.

Find Available Packages

Show all available SDK packages

Lists everything you can install — platforms, system images, build tools, sources, and extras.

Install Individual Packages

Install Android 35 platform

Install system-images;android-35;google_apis;arm64-v8a

Install build-tools;35.0.0

Set Up for a New API Level

1. Install the platform

   Install platforms;android-35

2. Install a system image for emulators

   Install system-images;android-35;google_apis;arm64-v8a

3. Install matching build tools

   Install build-tools;35.0.0

4. Create an emulator with the new API

   Create an Android 35 emulator called API35_Test

Install Multiple Packages at Once

Install platforms;android-34, system-images;android-34;google_apis;arm64-v8a, and build-tools;34.0.0

Tip

When setting up a new development environment, install the platform + system image + build tools together to save time.