Build your android app without the Android Gradle Plugin
summary
Replaces AGP with a minimal custom Gradle plugin that actually runs AAPT2 to compile resources, merges manifests into a single AndroidManifest.xml, invokes javac and kotlinc to emit class files, runs D8 to dex, zips an unsigned APK, signs it with a keystore, and installs via adb. Shows generated artifacts like R.txt and unsigned APK, explains cachable Gradle task annotations, inputs/outputs wiring, and where each tool is downloaded and cached.
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chapters (12)
- 0:00Introduction
- 1:03Build without AGP
- 3:08Android build basics
- 8:02Build pipeline breakdown
- 14:22Compiling resources with AAPT2
- 21:20Merging manifests and permissions
- 25:36Linking resources and R files
- 29:13Compiling Java/Kotlin sources
- 34:36Dexing with D8
- 37:27Packaging and signing APK
- 40:20Installing and running
- 42:05Key takeaways
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