android-emulator-skill
Production-ready scripts for Android app testing, building, and automation. Provides semantic UI navigation, build automation, accessibility testing, and emulator lifecycle management. Optimized for AI agents with minimal token output. Android equivalent of ios-simulator-skill.
Best use case
android-emulator-skill is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Production-ready scripts for Android app testing, building, and automation. Provides semantic UI navigation, build automation, accessibility testing, and emulator lifecycle management. Optimized for AI agents with minimal token output. Android equivalent of ios-simulator-skill.
Teams using android-emulator-skill should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/android-emulator-skill/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How android-emulator-skill Compares
| Feature / Agent | android-emulator-skill | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Production-ready scripts for Android app testing, building, and automation. Provides semantic UI navigation, build automation, accessibility testing, and emulator lifecycle management. Optimized for AI agents with minimal token output. Android equivalent of ios-simulator-skill.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Android Emulator Skill
Build, test, and automate Android applications using accessibility-driven navigation and structured data instead of pixel coordinates.
## Quick Start
```bash
# 1. Launch app
python scripts/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app
# 2. Map screen to see elements
python scripts/screen_mapper.py
# 3. Tap button
python scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap
# 4. Enter text
python scripts/navigator.py --find-type EditText --enter-text "user@example.com"
# 5. Run accessibility audit
python scripts/accessibility_audit.py
```
All scripts support `--help` for detailed options and `--json` for machine-readable output.
## Status: Feature Complete (v0.1.0)
### Completed Components ✓ (20 scripts)
#### Core Utilities (3 modules)
1. **common/device_utils.py** - ADB command building and device detection
2. **common/screenshot_utils.py** - Screenshot capture and processing
3. **common/cache_utils.py** - Progressive disclosure cache system
#### App Management (1 script)
4. **app_launcher.py** - App lifecycle management
- Launch apps by package name
- Terminate apps
- Install/uninstall APKs
- Deep link navigation
- List installed packages
- Check app state
- Options: `--launch`, `--terminate`, `--install`, `--uninstall`, `--open-url`, `--list`, `--state`, `--json`
#### Device Lifecycle (5 scripts) ✓ COMPLETE
5. **emulator_boot.py** - Boot emulators with optional readiness verification
- Boot by AVD name
- Wait for device ready with timeout
- Batch boot operations
- Headless mode support
- Options: `--avd`, `--wait-ready`, `--timeout`, `--headless`, `--list-avds`, `--json`
6. **emulator_shutdown.py** - Gracefully shutdown emulators
- Shutdown by serial number
- Optional verification of shutdown completion
- Batch shutdown operations
- Options: `--serial`, `--verify`, `--timeout`, `--all`, `--json`
7. **emulator_create.py** ⭐ NEW - Create AVDs dynamically
- Create by device type and API level
- List available device definitions
- List available system images
- Options: `--device`, `--api`, `--name`, `--abi`, `--variant`, `--list-devices`, `--list-images`, `--json`
8. **emulator_delete.py** ⭐ NEW - Delete AVDs permanently
- Delete by AVD name
- List available AVDs
- Options: `--name`, `--list`, `--json`
9. **emulator_erase.py** ⭐ NEW - Factory reset AVDs
- Wipe user data without deleting AVD
- Preserve AVD configuration
- Options: `--name`, `--force`, `--list`, `--json`
#### Build & Development (2 scripts) ✓ COMPLETE
10. **build_and_test.py** ⭐ NEW - Gradle build automation
- Build with minimal token output
- Clean builds
- Run tests
- Parse errors and warnings
- Options: `--project`, `--variant`, `--clean`, `--test`, `--verbose`, `--json`
11. **log_monitor.py** ⭐ NEW - Real-time logcat monitoring
- Filter by app package
- Filter by severity (error/warning/info/debug)
- Smart deduplication
- Duration-based or follow mode
- Save logs to file
- Options: `--app`, `--serial`, `--severity`, `--follow`, `--duration`, `--output`, `--clear`, `--verbose`, `--json`
#### Navigation & Interaction (4 scripts)
12. **screen_mapper.py** - Analyze current screen and list interactive elements
- Count elements by type
- List buttons, EditTexts, etc.
- Token-efficient summaries
- Options: `--serial`, `--verbose`, `--json`, `--list`
13. **navigator.py** - Find and interact with elements semantically
- Find by text, type, resource ID
- Tap, enter text, get bounds
- Fuzzy matching support
- Options: `--find-text`, `--find-type`, `--find-id`, `--tap`, `--enter-text`, `--list`, `--serial`, `--json`
14. **gesture.py** - Perform swipes, scrolls, long press
- Directional swipes
- Custom swipe coordinates
- Scroll and long press
- Options: `--swipe`, `--from-edge`, `--duration`, `--long-press`, `--scroll`, `--serial`, `--json`
15. **keyboard.py** - Text input and hardware buttons
- Type text
- Press hardware keys (back, home, enter, etc.)
- Clear text
- Options: `--text`, `--key`, `--button`, `--clear`, `--serial`, `--json`
#### Testing & Analysis (5 scripts) ✓ COMPLETE
16. **accessibility_audit.py** ⭐ NEW - WCAG compliance checking
- Missing content descriptions
- Touch target size verification
- EditText hint checking
- Image accessibility
- Categorize by severity (critical/warning/info)
- Save reports (JSON + Markdown)
- Options: `--serial`, `--output`, `--verbose`, `--json`
17. **visual_diff.py** - Compare screenshots for visual changes
- Pixel-perfect comparison
- Highlight differences
- Generate diff images
- Options: `--image1`, `--image2`, `--output`, `--threshold`, `--json`
18. **test_recorder.py** ⭐ NEW - Automatically document test execution
- Record test steps with screenshots
- Capture UI hierarchy per step
- Generate test reports (JSON + Markdown)
- Inline mode for vision-based testing
- Options: `--test-name`, `--output`, `--serial`, `--inline`, `--size`, `--app-name`
19. **app_state_capture.py** ⭐ NEW - Complete debugging snapshots
- Capture screenshot + UI hierarchy + logs + app info
- Create timestamped snapshots
- All-in-one debugging artifact
- Options: `--package`, `--output`, `--serial`, `--logs`, `--no-logs`, `--screenshot-size`, `--json`
#### Advanced Testing & Permissions (4 scripts) ✓ COMPLETE
20. **privacy_manager.py** ⭐ NEW - App permission management
- Grant/revoke permissions
- List app permissions
- Support for 20+ permission types
- Batch operations
- Options: `--grant`, `--revoke`, `--list`, `--package`, `--serial`, `--list-permissions`, `--json`
21. **clipboard.py** ⭐ NEW - Clipboard management
- Copy text to device clipboard
- Test paste functionality
- Options: `--copy`, `--paste`, `--serial`, `--json`
22. **status_bar.py** ⭐ NEW - Status bar control
- Set battery level and charging state
- Set WiFi/mobile signal strength
- Set time display (for consistent screenshots)
- Demo mode support
- Options: `--battery`, `--charging`, `--wifi`, `--mobile`, `--time`, `--reset`, `--serial`, `--json`
23. **push_notification.py** ⭐ NEW - Push notification simulation
- Send test notifications
- List notification channels
- Multiple delivery methods
- Options: `--package`, `--title`, `--message`, `--id`, `--data`, `--list-channels`, `--method`, `--serial`, `--json`
## Android vs iOS Mapping
| iOS Tool | Android Equivalent | Status |
|----------|-------------------|--------|
| xcrun simctl | adb / avdmanager / emulator | ✓ Complete |
| IDB | adb shell uiautomator / input | ✓ Complete |
| iOS Simulator | Android Emulator | ✓ Complete |
| xcodebuild | Gradle wrapper | ✓ Complete |
| Accessibility tree | UI hierarchy dump | ✓ Complete |
| simctl privacy | pm grant/revoke | ✓ Complete |
| xcresult | Gradle test reports | ✓ Complete |
## Script Categories
### 🚀 Essential (Use Daily)
- **app_launcher.py** - Launch/terminate apps
- **screen_mapper.py** - Understand current screen
- **navigator.py** - Interact with UI elements
- **gesture.py** / **keyboard.py** - User input
### 🔧 Development
- **build_and_test.py** - Build projects and run tests
- **log_monitor.py** - Debug with filtered logs
- **emulator_boot.py** / **emulator_shutdown.py** - Device management
### 🧪 Testing
- **accessibility_audit.py** - Check accessibility compliance
- **visual_diff.py** - Visual regression testing
- **test_recorder.py** - Document test execution
- **app_state_capture.py** - Debug test failures
### ⚙️ Advanced
- **privacy_manager.py** - Test permission flows
- **push_notification.py** - Test notification handling
- **clipboard.py** / **status_bar.py** - Fine-grained control
- **emulator_create/delete/erase.py** - CI/CD provisioning
## Typical Workflows
### Manual Testing Flow
```bash
# 1. Launch app
python scripts/app_launcher.py --launch com.example.app
# 2. See what's on screen
python scripts/screen_mapper.py
# 3. Interact
python scripts/navigator.py --find-text "Login" --tap
python scripts/navigator.py --find-type EditText --index 0 --enter-text "user@test.com"
python scripts/keyboard.py --button enter
# 4. Verify
python scripts/screen_mapper.py
```
### Automated Testing Flow
```bash
# 1. Start recording
recorder = TestRecorder("Login Flow")
# 2. Execute test steps
recorder.step("Launch app", screen_name="Splash")
# ... interactions ...
recorder.step("Verify logged in", screen_name="Home")
# 3. Finish
recorder.finish(passed=True)
```
### CI/CD Flow
```bash
# 1. Create fresh emulator
python scripts/emulator_create.py --device pixel_7 --api 34 --name test-device
# 2. Boot emulator
python scripts/emulator_boot.py --avd test-device --wait-ready
# 3. Build and test
python scripts/build_and_test.py --project . --test
# 4. Run UI tests
# ... your test scripts ...
# 5. Cleanup
python scripts/emulator_shutdown.py --serial emulator-5554
python scripts/emulator_delete.py --name test-device
```
### Debugging Flow
```bash
# 1. Capture complete state
python scripts/app_state_capture.py --package com.myapp --output debug-snapshots/
# 2. Monitor logs in real-time
python scripts/log_monitor.py --app com.myapp --severity error,warning --follow
# 3. Check accessibility issues
python scripts/accessibility_audit.py --output audit-reports/ --verbose
```
## Requirements
- macOS, Linux, or Windows
- Android SDK with platform-tools and emulator
- Python 3.8+
- ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
- Optional: Gradle for building
- Optional: Pillow for screenshot resizing
## Installation
### Environment Setup
```bash
# 1. Install Android SDK (via Android Studio or command line tools)
# Download from: https://developer.android.com/studio
# 2. Set environment variables
export ANDROID_HOME=$HOME/Library/Android/sdk # macOS
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools
export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_HOME/emulator
# 3. Verify installation
adb version
emulator -version
```
### As Claude Code Skill
```bash
# Personal installation
git clone <repository-url> ~/.claude/skills/android-emulator-skill
# Project installation
git clone <repository-url> .claude/skills/android-emulator-skill
```
## Documentation
- **SKILL.md** (this file) - Script reference and quick start
- **README.md** - Installation and examples
- **CLAUDE.md** - Architecture and implementation details
- **STATUS.md** - Project status and roadmap
- **TESTING.md** - Testing guide
- **references/** - Deep documentation on specific topics
- **examples/** - Complete automation workflows
## Key Design Principles
**Semantic Navigation**: Find elements by meaning (text, type, ID) not pixel coordinates. Survives UI changes.
**Token Efficiency**: Concise default output (3-5 lines) with optional verbose and JSON modes for detailed results. 96% reduction vs raw tools.
**Accessibility-First**: Built on standard accessibility APIs for reliability and compatibility.
**Zero Configuration**: Works immediately with Android SDK installed. No complex setup required.
**Structured Data**: Scripts output JSON or formatted text, not raw logs. Easy to parse and integrate.
**Cross-Platform**: Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
**Real Devices**: Unlike iOS, works with both emulators and real devices.
## Android-Specific Features
**Real Device Support**: Works with both emulators and physical devices connected via USB/WiFi.
**Multiple Emulators**: Support for running multiple emulators simultaneously with batch operations.
**Flexible Architecture**: Works with both x86_64 and ARM emulator architectures.
**Gradle Integration**: Native integration with Android's Gradle build system.
**Advanced Logging**: Logcat filtering with regex, severity, and app-specific targeting.
**Permission Testing**: Programmatic grant/revoke of runtime permissions.
**Notification Testing**: Simulate push notifications for testing handling logic.
## Feature Parity with iOS Skill
**100% Feature Parity Achieved!** ✓
This Android skill now provides equivalent functionality to the iOS Simulator Skill:
| Feature Category | iOS | Android | Status |
|-----------------|-----|---------|--------|
| App Management | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Device Lifecycle | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Gestures | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Keyboard Input | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Build Automation | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Log Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Accessibility Audit | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Visual Testing | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Test Recording | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| State Capture | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Permissions | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Clipboard | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Status Bar | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
| Push Notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Complete |
## Contributing
New scripts should:
- Use class-based design for > 50 lines of logic
- Support --serial and auto-detection
- Support --json output
- Provide --help documentation
- Follow Black and Ruff standards
- Update this SKILL.md
- Test with real emulators before submission
## Differences from iOS
### Architecture
- **iOS**: Uses IDB for UI interaction, xcrun simctl for device management
- **Android**: Uses adb for everything, uiautomator for UI interaction
### Element Types
- **iOS**: Button, TextField, SecureTextField, StaticText, etc.
- **Android**: Button, EditText, TextView, ImageView, etc.
### Device Management
- **iOS**: Simulators only (macOS required)
- **Android**: Emulators + real devices (cross-platform)
### Build System
- **iOS**: Xcode project files (.xcodeproj)
- **Android**: Gradle build files (build.gradle)
---
**Status**: Feature complete! All 20 scripts implemented with full feature parity to iOS Simulator Skill.
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