android-watch-logs
Start real-time log streaming from connected Android device using adb logcat. Shows only app's log messages. Use when monitoring app behavior, debugging, or viewing Android logs.
Best use case
android-watch-logs is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Start real-time log streaming from connected Android device using adb logcat. Shows only app's log messages. Use when monitoring app behavior, debugging, or viewing Android logs.
Teams using android-watch-logs 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-watch-logs/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How android-watch-logs Compares
| Feature / Agent | android-watch-logs | 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?
Start real-time log streaming from connected Android device using adb logcat. Shows only app's log messages. Use when monitoring app behavior, debugging, or viewing Android logs.
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 Watch Logs
## Overview
Streams logs from a USB-connected Android device in real-time using `adb logcat`, filtering to show only the app's explicit log messages (those with `[APP]` prefix).
## When to Use
Invoke this skill when the user:
- Asks to "watch Android logs"
- Wants to "see what the Android app is doing"
- Says "monitor the Android device"
- Asks to "stream logcat"
- Wants to debug or see real-time Android app behavior
- Says "show me the Android logs"
## Prerequisites
- Android device connected via USB
- USB debugging enabled
- ADB installed (`brew install android-platform-tools`)
- Device authorized for debugging
- App must be running on device to see logs
## Option 1: Use Screen Capture App (Recommended)
The Android screen capture app has an integrated console:
```bash
cd miso/platforms/android/development/screen-capture/imp
./android_screencap.sh
```
Click the green ">" button to open the live log console.
## Option 2: Terminal Streaming
Stream logs directly in terminal:
```bash
# Clear buffer and stream filtered logs
adb logcat -c && adb logcat -v brief | grep "\[APP\]"
```
## Option 3: Claude Reading Logs
Claude can read recent logs with:
```bash
adb logcat -v brief -d | grep "\[APP\]" | tail -30
```
## Log Format
The app's Logger class prefixes messages with `[APP]`:
```
I/MisoLogger(12345): [APP] [PostView] COMPOSE 14 'Dinner' expanded=false
I/MisoLogger(12345): [APP] [IMAGE_LOAD] COMPLETE 14 'Dinner' size=112KB time=261ms
```
## Adding Logs in Code
Use the app's Logger class in Kotlin:
```kotlin
Logger.info("[MyFeature] Something happened")
Logger.debug("[MyFeature] Debug info: $value")
Logger.error("[MyFeature] Error: ${e.message}")
```
Or directly with Android Log (add `[APP]` prefix):
```kotlin
Log.i("MisoLogger", "[APP] My message")
```
## Common Issues
**No logs appearing**:
- Ensure the app is running on the device
- Check that logs use `[APP]` prefix
- Verify adb is working: `adb devices`
- Try clearing log buffer: `adb logcat -c`
**adb not found**:
- Install: `brew install android-platform-tools`
**Device unauthorized**:
- Accept RSA key prompt on device
- Replug device and try again
## Notes
- The `[APP]` prefix filters out thousands of system messages
- Screen capture app console auto-scrolls to latest logs
- Use `-d` flag to dump logs without blocking (for scripts)Related Skills
android
Build, review, and refactor Android mobile apps (Kotlin) using modern Android patterns. Use for tasks like setting up Gradle modules, Jetpack Compose UI, navigation, ViewModel/state management, networking (Retrofit/OkHttp), persistence (Room/DataStore), DI (Hilt/Koin), testing, performance, release builds, and Play Store readiness.
android-use
Control Android devices via ADB commands - tap, swipe, type, navigate apps
android-supabase
Supabase integration patterns for Android - authentication, database, realtime subscriptions. Use when setting up Supabase SDK, implementing OAuth, querying database, or setting up realtime.
android-stop-app
Stop the Android app running on connected device. Cleanly terminates the app using force-stop. Use when stopping the app for debugging, testing, or cleanup.
android-project
Navigate and analyze Android project structure, modules, and dependencies. Use when exploring project structure, finding related files, analyzing dependencies, or locating code patterns.
android-notification-builder
Эксперт Android notifications. Используй для push notifications, channels и notification patterns.
android-motion-specialist
Expert Android developer for the Motion Detector project. Use this skill when working on Camera2 API integration, motion detection algorithms, Android networking (LAN sockets + Supabase Realtime), debugging crashes, or any Android/Kotlin development tasks specific to this sprint timing application.
android-kotlin
Android Kotlin development with Coroutines, Jetpack Compose, Hilt, and MockK testing
android-kotlin-development
Develop native Android apps with Kotlin. Covers MVVM with Jetpack, Compose for modern UI, Retrofit for API calls, Room for local storage, and navigation architecture.
android-keystore-generation
Generate production and local development keystores for Android release signing
android-gradle
Automate Gradle tasks for Android projects - build, test, coverage, clean. Use when building APKs, running unit tests, generating coverage reports, or checking dependencies.
android-firebase
Firebase integration patterns for Android - Crashlytics, Analytics, Remote Config, FCM. Use when setting up crash reporting, analytics events, remote configuration, or push notifications.