--- name: managing-android-simulators description: Use for Android development tasks when simulators, AVDs, app testing, or device automation are mentioned. Handles simulator lifecycle, APK management, UI testing, and ADB commands. --- # Managing Android Simulators You are Claude Code's Android simulator management skill. You help developers automate Android development workflows, manage virtual devices, and streamline mobile testing processes. ## When to Use This Skill Activate when users mention: - Android simulators or virtual devices - APK installation, app testing, or mobile debugging - ADB commands, simulator lifecycle, or device management - UI automation, screenshots, or mobile testing workflows - Gradle builds for Android projects - Device performance monitoring or debugging ## Core Capabilities ### Simulator Lifecycle Management - Create, list, start, and stop Android Virtual Devices (AVDs) - Monitor device status and health - Handle multiple simulator instances - Configure simulator settings and options ### Application Management - Install, uninstall, and update APK files - Launch and manage application processes - Handle app permissions and data management - Integrate with Gradle build system ### Device Automation - Execute ADB commands and scripts - Capture screenshots and screen recordings - Automate UI interactions (tap, swipe, text input) - Extract UI hierarchy and accessibility information ### Development Integration - Monitor logcat logs and filtering - Profile device performance and resource usage - Debug connectivity and network issues - Integrate with CI\/CD pipelines ## Quick Start Workflow 1. **Environment Setup** ```bash # Check environment bash scripts\/sim_health_check.sh # Start simulator if needed emulator -avd & adb wait-for-device ``` 2. **Quick Automation** ```bash # Launch app and analyze screen python scripts\/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app python scripts\/screen_mapper.py # Semantic UI interaction python scripts\/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap python scripts\/navigator.py --find-type EditText --enter-text "user@example.com" ``` 3. **Accessibility Check** ```bash # Run accessibility audit python scripts\/accessibility_audit.py --verbose ``` ## Detailed Procedures ## Advanced Script Usage ### Production Scripts (5 core scripts) ```bash # 1. Screen Analysis - List interactive elements python scripts\/screen_mapper.py --verbose # 2. Semantic Navigation - Find and interact with elements python scripts\/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap python scripts\/navigator.py --find-type Button --find-text "Submit" --long-press python scripts\/navigator.py --swipe up --wait 2 # 3. App Management - Complete app lifecycle control python scripts\/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app python scripts\/app_launcher.py --terminate com.example.app python scripts\/app_launcher.py --install app.apk --force python scripts\/app_launcher.py --clear-data com.example.app # 4. Accessibility Testing - WCAG compliance check python scripts\/accessibility_audit.py --verbose python scripts\/accessibility_audit.py --check-type labels # 5. Environment Verification bash scripts\/sim_health_check.sh ``` ### Advanced Options All scripts support: - `--help` - Detailed usage examples - `--json` - Machine-readable output for CI\/CD - `--device ` - Target specific simulator - `--verbose` - Detailed debugging information ### Example Workflows #### Automated Login Test ```bash # Environment check bash scripts\/sim_health_check.sh # Launch app and test login python scripts\/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app python scripts\/screen_mapper.py python scripts\/navigator.py --find-type EditText --enter-text "username" python scripts\/navigator.py --find-type EditText --enter-text "password" python scripts\/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap python scripts.accessibility_audit.py --check-type labels ``` #### CI\/CD Integration ```bash # Health check bash scripts\/sim_health_check.sh || exit 1 # Run tests with JSON output python scripts\/screen_mapper.py --json > screen_elements.json python scripts\/accessibility_audit.py --json > accessibility_report.json ``` ## Detailed Documentation For comprehensive workflows and advanced configurations, consult the specialized guides: - **Setup & Configuration**: `!Read references\/setup.md` - **Simulator Management**: `!Read references\/simulator-management.md` - **App Testing Workflows**: `!Read references\/app-testing.md` - **ADB Command Reference**: `!Read references\/adb-commands.md` - **Debugging Guide**: `!Read references\/debugging.md` - **CI\/CD Integration**: `!Read references\/cicd-integration.md` - **Script Documentation**: `!Read scripts\/README.md` ## Common Commands Reference ### Device Management ```bash # List all devices adb devices -l # List available AVDs emulator -list-avds # Start specific simulator emulator -avd Pixel_4_API_30 -no-snapshot # Stop simulator adb -s emulator-5554 emu kill ``` ### Application Management ```bash # Install APK adb -s install -r app.apk # Uninstall app adb -s uninstall com.example.app # Launch app adb -s shell am start -n com.example.app\/.MainActivity # Clear app data adb -s shell pm clear com.example.app ``` ### Screenshots & Recording ```bash # Take screenshot adb -s shell screencap -p > screenshot.png # Start screen recording adb -s shell screenrecord \/sdcard\/recording.mp4 # Pull recording adb -s pull \/sdcard\/recording.mp4 ``` ### UI Interaction ```bash # Tap coordinates adb -s shell input tap 100 200 # Swipe gesture adb -s shell input swipe 100 200 300 400 # Input text adb -s shell input text "Hello World" ``` ## Error Handling & Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **ADB not found**: Verify Android SDK installation and PATH - **Emulator won't start**: Check system requirements and available memory - **Device offline**: Restart ADB server with `adb kill-server && adb start-server` - **Installation failed**: Check APK signature and device storage ### Recovery Procedures - Reset ADB connection: `adb kill-server && adb start-server` - Clear simulator cache: Delete AVD data and recreate - Check system resources: Monitor memory and disk usage For detailed troubleshooting steps, see: `!Read references\/debugging.md` ## Best Practices ### Performance Optimization - Use hardware acceleration when available - Allocate sufficient memory to simulators - Close unnecessary background applications - Use SSD storage for better I\/O performance ### Development Workflow - Keep multiple AVDs for different API levels - Use simulator snapshots for quick state restoration - Implement automated testing with CI\/CD integration - Monitor device logs during development ### Security Considerations - Never run production apps on debug simulators - Use separate AVDs for different projects - Clear sensitive data between test sessions - Keep simulator software updated ## Integration Examples This skill integrates seamlessly with: - **Gradle builds**: Automate APK generation and installation - **Testing frameworks**: Appium, Espresso, UIAutomator - **CI\/CD pipelines**: Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI - **Development tools**: Android Studio, VS Code, IntelliJ For specific integration examples, consult the relevant reference guides. --- **Note**: This skill requires Android SDK platform-tools to be installed and configured in your system PATH or ANDROID_HOME environment variable.