Welcome to your guide on how to get started with WordPress for Android! If you’re just looking to install the app, you can conveniently find it on Google Play. However, if you’re a developer eager to contribute, read on to learn the build instructions, troubleshooting tips, and everything in-between.

Building WordPress for Android

Before you start building, make sure you follow these steps to set up your development environment:

• Ensure you have installed Android Studio.
• Install npm using Node Version Manager (nvm), following the steps from the Block Editor Quickstart guide.
• Navigate to the WordPress-Android directory: cd WordPress-Android.
• Set up the sample app credentials file: cp gradle.properties-example gradle.properties.
• Open the project in Android Studio. This will auto-generate a local.properties file with the SDK location.
• It’s recommended to use JDK11 to build the app and run tests. Set the JAVA_HOME and JDK location in Android Studio accordingly.
• Create an emulated device by navigating to Tools → AVD Manager.
• Proceed to run the app.

Building and Testing the App

You can also build, install, and test the project from the command line using the following commands:

$ ./gradlew assembleWordPressVanillaDebug         # assemble the debug .apk
$ ./gradlew installWordPressVanillaDebug          # install the debug .apk on your
                                                  # emulator or Android device
$ ./gradlew :WordPress:testWordPressVanillaDebugUnitTest  # run unit tests
$ ./gradlew :WordPress:connectedWordPressVanillaDebugAndroidTest # run Android tests

Running the App

When you start the app, you have the option of using your existing WordPress site for development and testing. If you don’t have one, you can create a temporary test site for free at jurassic.ninja. On the app startup screen, select “Enter your existing site address” and input your site’s URL along with your credentials.

Note that access to WordPress.com features is currently disabled in the development environment.

Understanding the Directory Structure

The WordPress for Android project has a structured directory that helps you navigate the code base effectively. Think of it like a big bookshelf where each shelf has a category of books:

• libs: Dependencies used to build debug variants
• tools: Script collection
• gradle.properties: Properties imported by the build script
• WordPress:
  • build.gradle: Main build script
  • src:
    • androidTest: Android test assets
    • test: Unit tests
    • main:
      • assets: Main project assets
      • java: Main project Java code
      • res: Main project resources
      • debug: Debug variant
      • wasabi: Wasabi variant specific resources

Troubleshooting Tips

While you’re on your journey to build and contribute to WordPress for Android, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some troubleshooting ideas:

• If you face issues while loading or building the app in Android Studio, ignore the prompt to update the Gradle plugin version, as this may lead to build errors.
• If you wish to ensure compatibility with newer versions, feel free to update the plugin at your own discretion.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Getting Support and Contributing

If you find questions or wish to connect with like-minded folks, you can join the WordPress Slack and chat in the #mobile channel.

Your contributions are invaluable! Read our Contributing Guide to learn about code contributions, reporting issues, and more.

Final Thoughts

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.

Resources for Developers

For more documentation, check out:

• Coding Style – guidelines and validation tools
• Pull Request Guidelines – branch naming and writing good pull requests
• WordPress Mobile Blog
• WordPress Mobile Handbook

Happy coding!