Gradle

Gradle runs tasks described in build scripts, now usually written in Kotlin (build.gradle.kts). The Android Gradle Plugin (AGP) adds the Android-specific steps: compiling Kotlin, running KSP, merging resources, shrinking code with R8, signing, and packaging an APK or AAB. Build variants combine build types (debug, release) with product flavours (free, paid) from one project.

Dependencies are declared by name and version and fetched from repositories such as Maven Central and Google's Maven; a version catalog (libs.versions.toml) keeps those versions in one file. The Gradle wrapper (gradlew) pins the Gradle version so every machine builds the same way. Gradle also builds Java, Kotlin Multiplatform and Spring projects, and its build cache and configuration cache help with slow builds.