Android Emulator Skill

Build, test, and automate Android applications using accessibility-driven navigation and structured data instead of pixel coordinates.

Quick Start

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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

# 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)

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Status: Feature complete! All 20 scripts implemented with full feature parity to iOS Simulator Skill.

Use these scripts directly or let Claude Code invoke them automatically when your request matches the skill description.