android-code-review

name	android-code-review
description	Android PR Code Review skill. Performs a comprehensive code review on the current Git repository's PR or specified code changes. Covers all review dimensions including architecture, Kotlin code quality, Android platform best practices, performance, security, and testability — along with a standardized output format. Can also be used as a standalone reference for Android review standards.
triggers	["/android-code-review","review this MR","do a code review"]

Android Code Review

Usage

/android-code-review                          # Review diff between current branch and develop
/android-code-review --branch feature/login   # Review a specific branch
/android-code-review --base develop           # Use a different base branch (default: develop)
/android-code-review --file path/to/File.kt   # Review a single file
/android-code-review --focus security         # Focus on a specific dimension (security/performance/arch)
/android-code-review --severity major         # Only show issues at or above the specified severity
/android-code-review --output ./review.md     # Save report to a file

Arguments

Argument	Description	Example
--branch <name>	Specify the branch to review	--branch feature/payment
--base <branch>	Base branch for comparison (default: develop)	--base main
--file <path>	Review a single file	--file app/src/.../LoginViewModel.kt
--focus <dimension>	Focus on a specific review dimension	--focus performance
--severity <level>	Only show issues at or above this level	--severity major
--output <path>	Save the report to a file	--output ./review.md

Execution Steps

Step 1 — Fetch Code Changes

Retrieve the code to review based on the provided arguments:

# Default: current branch vs develop (or --base value if specified)
git log ${BASE:-develop}...HEAD --oneline
git diff ${BASE:-develop}...HEAD --stat
git diff ${BASE:-develop}...HEAD

# If --branch is specified
git diff ${BASE:-develop}...<branch-name>

# If --file is specified, read the file directly

Note: this reviews committed changes only. Uncommitted staged/unstaged changes are not included. Use --base to change the base branch (default: develop).

Step 2 — Analyze

Using the dimensions and checklists defined below, analyze each changed file for:

• Architecture & design correctness
• Kotlin code quality
• Android platform best practices
• Performance issues
• Security vulnerabilities
• Testability
• Readability & coding standards

For large PRs (> 500 lines), prioritize core business logic files.

String resource check: Scan the diff for any changes to *strings*.xml or res/values/*.xml files. Collect every newly added <string name="..."> entry (diff lines starting with a single + but not +++ diff header lines). Lines starting with - are removals and must be excluded. Record the string key and the file it appears in — this list will be used in the 🌐 New Strings — Weblate Sync Required section of the report.

Step 3 — Generate Review Report

Output the report following the Standard Output Format defined below.

Step 4 — Save Report (Optional)

If --output <path> was specified, use the Write tool to save the full report markdown to that path.

Notes

• If git commands are unavailable, prompt the user to paste the code directly
• Always deliver feedback in a constructive and respectful tone

---

Tech Stack Conventions

Language:         Kotlin (no new Java files)
Min SDK:          API 24 (Android 8.0)
Target SDK:       API 36
Architecture:     MVVM + Clean Architecture
UI Framework:     Jetpack Compose (new screens), View system (legacy screens)
DI:               Hilt
Async:            Kotlin Coroutines + Flow
Local Storage:    Room, DataStore, SQLCipher (encrypted DB)
Image Loading:    Coil
Unit Testing:     JUnit5 + MockK + Turbine
UI Testing:       Compose Testing
Build:            Convention plugins (build-logic/convention/), Version Catalogs (gradle/catalogs/)

---

Review Dimensions & Checklists

ViewModel files: When reviewing *ViewModel.kt files, also apply the conventions in viewmodel-conventions.md.

UseCase files: When reviewing *UseCase.kt files, also apply the conventions in usecase-conventions.md.

Mapper files: When reviewing *Mapper.kt files, also apply the conventions in mapper-conventions.md.

1. Architecture & Design

Checklist:

• Follows MVVM layering: UI → ViewModel → UseCase → Repository → Facade → Gateway
• Dependency direction is correct (Repository must not depend on ViewModel)
• Each UseCase has a single responsibility
• No cross-layer direct calls (e.g., UI layer accessing Repository directly)
• New modules are discussed before implementation
• Interfaces are appropriately abstracted (not over- or under-engineered)
• Hilt annotations used correctly (@HiltViewModel, @AndroidEntryPoint, @Module @InstallIn)
• Gateway/Facade interfaces used to abstract SDK access (not calling SDK directly from Repository)
• New repository implementations live in the data layer/package in a data module, not in the app module
• Repositories never inject use cases — this inverts Clean Architecture's dependency flow
• Repositories stay focused on data access; business/orchestration logic belongs in use cases
• @HiltViewModel ViewModels use hiltViewModel() in Compose — never viewModel() (causes NoSuchMethodException crash at runtime)

Modular Dependency checklist

• :feature: modules can depend on :shared, :core, and their own :*-snowflakes.
• :shared: modules can depend on :core and their own :*-snowflakes.
• :core: modules can only depend on other :core modules.
• Snowflake modules (ending in -snowflakes or -snowflake-components) can only depend on :core.

Common Issues:

// ❌ ViewModel holding Context — causes memory leaks
class LoginViewModel(private val context: Context) : ViewModel()

// ✅ Use @ApplicationContext annotation is fine in ViewModel if needed
class LoginViewModel(@ApplicationContext private val context: Context) : ViewModel()

// ✅ Use Application if needed
class LoginViewModel(private val app: Application) : ViewModel()

// ❌ Repository injected directly into Fragment
class LoginFragment {
    @Inject lateinit var userRepository: UserRepository
}

// ✅ Access data only through ViewModel
class LoginFragment {
    private val viewModel: LoginViewModel by viewModels()
}

// ❌ SDK called directly from Repository — bypasses gateway abstraction
class DefaultAccountRepository @Inject constructor(
    private val megaApi: MegaApiAndroid  // ❌ SDK dependency
)

// ✅ Abstract SDK behind a Gateway interface
class DefaultAccountRepository @Inject constructor(
    private val megaApiGateway: MegaApiGateway  // ✅ Gateway interface
)

// ❌ Hilt module without scope annotation — new instance on every injection
@Module
@InstallIn(SingletonComponent::class)
class AppModule {
    @Provides
    fun provideDatabase(): AppDatabase = ...  // ❌ missing @Singleton
}

// ✅ Scoped correctly
@Module
@InstallIn(SingletonComponent::class)
class AppModule {
    @Singleton
    @Provides
    fun provideDatabase(): AppDatabase = ...
}

// ❌ Repository in app module — belongs in data layer
// app/src/main/kotlin/.../DefaultUserRepository.kt

// ✅ Repository in data module
// data/account/src/main/kotlin/.../DefaultAccountRepository.kt

// ❌ Use case injected into repository — inverts dependency flow
class DefaultUserRepository @Inject constructor(
    private val loginUseCase: LoginUseCase  // ❌
)

// ✅ Repository depends only on data sources, gateways, mappers
class DefaultUserRepository @Inject constructor(
    private val userApiGateway: UserApiGateway,
    private val userMapper: UserMapper
)

// ❌ viewModel() with @HiltViewModel — crashes with NoSuchMethodException (no no-arg constructor)
@HiltViewModel
class LoginViewModel @Inject constructor(private val useCase: LoginUseCase) : ViewModel()

@Composable
fun LoginScreen(viewModel: LoginViewModel = viewModel()) // ❌ CRASH

// ✅ Use hiltViewModel() so Hilt provides constructor dependencies
@Composable
fun LoginScreen(viewModel: LoginViewModel = hiltViewModel()) // ✅

// ❌ Business logic in repository — orchestration belongs in use case
class DefaultUserRepository {
    suspend fun getActiveUser(): User {
        val user = api.fetchUser()
        if (user.isExpired) refreshToken()  // ❌ business logic
        return user
    }
}

// ✅ Repository: data access only. Use case: orchestration
class DefaultUserRepository {
    suspend fun getUser(): User = api.fetchUser()
}
class GetActiveUserUseCase {
    suspend operator fun invoke(): User {
        val user = repository.getUser()
        if (user.isExpired) refreshTokenUseCase()
        return user
    }
}

---

2. Kotlin Code Quality

Checklist:

• val preferred over var wherever possible
• No unsafe !! non-null assertions
• Scope functions (let, run, apply, also, with) used appropriately
• Data-holding classes use data class
• sealed class used for state/result modeling
• Extension functions are placed logically and not overused
• Naming follows conventions (camelCase, semantically clear)
• No duplicated code (DRY principle)
• Functions are reasonably sized (recommended ≤ 40 lines)
• Complex logic has explanatory comments

Common Issues:

// ❌ Force unwrap — potential crash
val name = user!!.name

// ✅ Safe handling
val name = user?.name ?: "Unknown"

// ❌ Mutable var for a value that never changes
var userId: String = "123"

// ✅
val userId: String = "123"

// ✅ Sealed class for UI state
sealed class UiState {
    object Loading : UiState()
    data class Success(val data: UserInfo) : UiState()
    data class Error(val message: String) : UiState()
}

---

3. Android Platform Best Practices

Checklist:

• No memory leak risk (Fragment holding View references beyond lifecycle)
• StateFlow collected within the correct lifecycle scope
• No long-running operations on the main thread
• Permissions follow the principle of least privilege
• Configuration changes (e.g., screen rotation) are handled properly
• Composables avoid creating side effects outside LaunchedEffect / SideEffect
• LaunchedEffect / SideEffect / DisposableEffect are used correctly
• Use Timber for logging, do not use Android Logger
• Navigation entry metadata uses buildMetadata { } DSL instead of direct creation functions

Common Issues:

// ❌ Collects Flow without lifecycle awareness — runs in background
class MyFragment : Fragment() {
    override fun onViewCreated(...) {
        lifecycleScope.launch {
            viewModel.uiState.collect { ... }
        }
    }
}

// ✅ Use repeatOnLifecycle to stop collection when backgrounded
lifecycleScope.launch {
    repeatOnLifecycle(Lifecycle.State.STARTED) {
        viewModel.uiState.collect { ... }
    }
}

// ❌ Side effect called directly in Composable — runs on every recomposition
@Composable
fun LoginScreen(viewModel: LoginViewModel) {
    viewModel.loadUser()
}

// ✅ Use LaunchedEffect for one-time side effects
@Composable
fun LoginScreen(viewModel: LoginViewModel) {
    LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
        viewModel.loadUser()
    }
}

// ❌ Direct metadata creation — does not compose with other metadata extensions
entry<InfoPsaBottomSheet>(
    metadata = bottomSheetMetadata(
        dismissOnBack = false,
        dismissOnOutsideClick = false
    )
) { ... }

// ✅ Use buildMetadata DSL — composable and extensible
entry<StandardPsaBottomSheet>(
    metadata = buildMetadata {
        withBottomSheet(
            dismissOnBack = false,
            dismissOnOutsideClick = false
        )
    },
) { ... }

---

4. Coroutines & Async

Checklist:

• Correct Dispatcher used (dispatchers are injected by DI with correct annotation, main thread for UI updates)
• Exceptions are properly handled (runCatching)
• No coroutine leaks (all coroutines are cancellable / scoped)
• flowOn used in the appropriate place for thread switching
• GlobalScope is not used
• suspend functions follow single responsibility
• Dispatchers should be injected by annotation (like @IoDispatcher, @MainDispatcher or @DefaultDispatcher), instead of specifying concrete type

Common Issues:

// ❌ UI update inside IO dispatcher. 
viewModelScope.launch(ioDispatcher) {
    val data = repository.fetchData()
    uiState.value = data  // ❌ Must update on main thread
}

// ✅ Switch context properly
viewModelScope.launch {
    val data = withContext(ioDispatcher) { repository.fetchData() }
    uiState.value = data
}

// ❌ Unhandled exception — causes crash
viewModelScope.launch {
    repository.fetchUser()
}

// ✅ Handle errors explicitly
viewModelScope.launch {
    runCatching { repository.fetchUser() }
        .onSuccess { uiState.value = UiState.Success(it) }
        .onFailure { uiState.value = UiState.Error(it.message ?: "Unknown error") }
}

---

5. Performance

Checklist:

• Compose: unnecessary recompositions avoided (remember, derivedStateOf used correctly)
• Lists use LazyColumn (never full lists inside ScrollView)
• Images loaded with explicit size constraints (prevent OOM)
• No database or network calls on the main thread
• ViewModel does not cache unnecessarily large datasets in memory

Common Issues:

// ❌ Expensive operation runs on every recomposition
@Composable
fun UserList(users: List<User>) {
    val sortedUsers = users.sortedBy { it.name }
}

// ✅ Cache with remember, keyed on input
@Composable
fun UserList(users: List<User>) {
    val sortedUsers = remember(users) { users.sortedBy { it.name } }
}

---

6. Security

Checklist:

• Sensitive data (tokens, passwords) not stored in plaintext SharedPreferences
• No sensitive data logged (e.g., Log.d("token", token))
• User inputs are validated and sanitized
• Sensitive operations require authentication
• Database encrypted with SQLCipher
• Sensitive fields in entities/mappers encrypted using EncryptData before persistence
• No API keys or secrets committed to the repository

Common Issues:

// ❌ Token stored in plaintext
sharedPreferences.edit().putString("token", authToken).apply()

// ✅ Use EncryptedSharedPreferences
val encryptedPrefs = EncryptedSharedPreferences.create(
    context, "secure_prefs",
    MasterKey.Builder(context).setKeyScheme(MasterKey.KeyScheme.AES256_GCM).build(),
    EncryptedSharedPreferences.PrefKeyEncryptionScheme.AES256_SIV,
    EncryptedSharedPreferences.PrefValueEncryptionScheme.AES256_GCM
)
encryptedPrefs.edit().putString("token", authToken).apply()

// ❌ Logging sensitive data
Log.d("Auth", "User token: $token")

// ✅ Debug-only and redacted
if (BuildConfig.DEBUG) Log.d("Auth", "Token received successfully")

// ❌ Sensitive field stored unencrypted in Room entity
@Entity
data class BackupEntity(val backupId: String)

// ✅ Encrypt sensitive fields using EncryptData before persisting
suspend operator fun invoke(backup: Backup): BackupEntity? {
    return BackupEntity(
        encryptedBackupId = encryptData(backup.backupId.toString()) ?: return null
    )
}

---

7. Testability

ViewModel tests: When reviewing ViewModel test files (*ViewModelTest.kt), also apply the conventions in viewmodel-test-conventions.md.

UseCase tests: When reviewing UseCase test files (*UseCaseTest.kt), also apply the conventions in usecase-test-conventions.md.

Mapper tests: When reviewing Mapper test files (*MapperTest.kt), also apply the conventions in mapper-test-conventions.md.

Checklist:

• ViewModel, UseCase and Repository implementation business logics have corresponding unit tests
• Test method naming: Follow the patterns below (see Test Method Naming)
• New logic has corresponding tests — no missing tests for new behavior
• Compose View has UI tests
• ViewModels can be tested without Android framework dependencies
• Test coverage meets team requirements (recommended ≥ 80% for core logic)
• Test class annotated with @ExtendWith(CoroutineMainDispatcherExtension::class) and @TestInstance(TestInstance.Lifecycle.PER_CLASS)
• Flow emissions tested using Turbine (underTest.state.test { ... })

Test Method Naming

• Format: Use one of the following patterns for test method names:
  • `test that <method> <action>` — e.g. `test that init does not call loginToFolderUseCase`()
  • `test that <method> <action> when <cause>` — e.g. `test that init emits Loaded when login succeeds`()

Common Issues:

// ❌ Test name does not follow "test that" patterns — inconsistent with project convention
@Test
fun `loading state is shown`() { ... }

// ✅ Use "test that <method> <action>" or "test that <method> <action> when <cause>"
@Test
fun `test that init emits Loaded when login succeeds`() { ... }
@Test
fun `test that init does not call loginToFolderUseCase`() { ... }

---

8. Code Style & Formatting

Checklist:

• Use explicit imports at the top of the file — never inline fully qualified class names in code
• Package structure follows conventions (e.g., mega.privacy.android.feature.{feature}.{layer})
• Resources follow naming conventions (ic_ icons, bg_ backgrounds, item_ list layouts)
• No hardcoded strings (should be in shared_strings.xml)
• Naming and comments are clear; intent is obvious (no unclear naming or comments)
• No leftover debug code or TODOs in production code
• Extra or unused code after implementation switch — When the change refactors or replaces an approach, check for leftover files, types, or dependencies that are no longer used and suggest removing or slimming them
• Naming conventions followed:
  • ViewModels: {Feature}ViewModel (e.g., GlobalStateViewModel)
  • Use Cases: {Action}UseCase (e.g., LoginUseCase)
  • Repositories: Default{Feature}Repository (e.g., DefaultAccountRepository)
  • Mappers: {Source}Mapper (e.g., TransferMapper)
  • Test files: {ClassName}Test.kt
• Indentation uses 4 spaces (not tabs) consistently, including Compose modifier chains and multi-line parameters
• KDoc present on public API classes, functions, and interfaces
• Build files use module name as filename (e.g., feature/home/home.gradle.kts)
• Convention plugins used for build configuration (mega.android.library, mega.android.hilt, etc.)
• New strings added to XML resource files (e.g., shared_strings.xml) have been synced to Weblate

Common Issues:

// ❌ Inline fully qualified name
val handler = android.os.Handler(android.os.Looper.getMainLooper())

// ✅ Explicit import at top
import android.os.Handler
import android.os.Looper
val handler = Handler(Looper.getMainLooper())

---

Severity Level Definitions

Level	Badge	Description	Blocks Merge?
Critical	🔴	Crash risk, data breach, severe performance issue	Yes
Major	🟠	Architecture violation, memory leak, logic error	Yes
Minor	🟡	Readability, naming conventions, small optimizations	No
Suggestion	🔵	Optional improvement, not required in this PR	No

---

Standard Output Format

All review reports must strictly follow this format:

# PR Code Review Report

## Summary
- **Branch**: userid/JiraID-branch → develop
- **Files Changed**: X
- **Review Date**: YYYY-MM-DD HH:mm
- **Overall**: [One-sentence overall assessment]

## 🌐 New Strings — Weblate Sync Required
> ⚠️ New string keys were detected in this PR. Please ensure they are added to Weblate before merging.
> `string_key_one`, `string_key_two`

[Omit this section entirely if no new strings were detected in the diff.]

## Issue Overview
| Severity | Count |
|----------|-------|
| 🔴 Critical | X |
| 🟠 Major | X |
| 🟡 Minor | X |
| 🔵 Suggestion | X |

---

## Detailed Findings

### `path/to/FileName.kt`

#### 🔴 [Critical] Issue Title
**Location**: Line XX
**Problem**: Clear description of what the issue is and why it's risky.
**Suggestion**:
```kotlin
// ❌ Current code
...

// ✅ Suggested fix
...
```

#### 🟡 [Minor] Issue Title
**Location**: Line XX
**Problem**: ...
**Suggestion**: ...

---

## Highlights 👍
> Good practices worth acknowledging (at least one per review)
- `FileName.kt`: ...

## Conclusion
> [Approved ✅ / Request Changes 🔄 / Needs Discussion 💬]
>
> Brief explanation of the conclusion, and a list of blocking issues that must be fixed before merge (if any).

---

Review Mindset & Etiquette

1. Critique the code, not the person — say "this function" not "you wrote"
2. Explain the why — every issue should include a reason, not just "this is wrong"
3. Always provide a solution — point out problems and suggest concrete fixes
4. Acknowledge the good — find at least one thing done well in every review
5. Distinguish must-fix from nice-to-have — Minor and Suggestion items are not blocking