android-adb

name	android-adb
description	Automate ADB commands for device management, app installation, and log analysis. Use when listing devices, installing APKs, viewing logs, debugging app issues, or capturing screenshots.
license	MIT
version	1.0.0

Android ADB Skill

Automate ADB commands for device management, app installation, and log analysis.

When to Use

• Listing connected devices
• Installing/uninstalling APKs
• Viewing application logs
• Debugging app issues
• Capturing screenshots/screen recordings

Commands

Device Management

Command	Description	ADB Command
devices	List connected devices	adb devices -l
restart	Restart ADB server	adb kill-server && adb start-server

App Management

Command	Description	ADB Command
install	Install APK	adb install -r app.apk
uninstall	Remove app	adb uninstall com.package.name
clear	Clear app data	adb shell pm clear com.package.name
start	Launch app	adb shell am start -n pkg/.Activity
stop	Force stop app	adb shell am force-stop com.package.name

Logcat Commands

Command	Description	ADB Command
log	View all logs	adb logcat -v threadtime
log:app	App logs only	adb logcat --pid=$(adb shell pidof pkg)
log:tag	Filter by tag	adb logcat -s TAG_NAME
log:error	Errors only	adb logcat *:E
log:clear	Clear log buffer	adb logcat -c

Debug Commands

Command	Description	ADB Command
screenshot	Capture screen	adb exec-out screencap -p > screen.png
screenrecord	Record screen	adb shell screenrecord /sdcard/video.mp4
anr	Check ANR traces	adb pull /data/anr/traces.txt
crash	Get crash logs	adb logcat -b crash

Logcat Patterns

# Filter by specific tags (common managers)
adb logcat -s GameManagerImpl AuthService SyncManager

# Compose errors
adb logcat | grep -i "compose\|recomposition"

# Coroutine exceptions
adb logcat | grep "CoroutineException\|JobCancellationException"

# ANR detection
adb logcat | grep -i "ANR\|Application Not Responding"

# Timber logs (class name as tag)
adb logcat | grep -E "(GameManager|UserManager|AuthService)"

Usage Examples

# Install and launch debug build
adb install -r app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk
adb shell am start -n com.creative.aiquiz/.LauncherActivity

# Clear app data and restart
adb shell pm clear com.creative.aiquiz
adb shell am start -n com.creative.aiquiz/.LauncherActivity

# Monitor specific logs
adb logcat -s GameManagerImpl:V

# Capture crash on error
adb logcat *:E -d > crash_log.txt

# Take screenshot for bug report
adb exec-out screencap -p > screenshot.png

Error Handling

# Check device connection
adb devices -l || (adb kill-server && adb start-server && adb devices -l)

# Handle installation errors
adb install -r app.apk 2>&1 | grep -q "INSTALL_FAILED" && {
    echo "Installation failed - checking signature..."
    adb uninstall com.package.name
    adb install app.apk
}

# Parse crash from logcat
adb logcat -b crash -d | grep -A 20 "FATAL EXCEPTION"

Common Errors:

• Device not found: Enable USB debugging in Developer Options
• Installation failed: Uninstall conflicting version first
• Permission denied: Device needs root or debugging enabled
• Unauthorized: Approve computer on device prompt

Troubleshooting

Issue	Command
Device offline	adb kill-server && adb start-server
Multiple devices	adb -s SERIAL_NUMBER shell
App not starting	adb shell am start -D -n pkg/.Activity
Screen frozen	adb shell input keyevent 26
Storage full	adb shell df -h

Command Workflows

# Full debug cycle
adb logcat -c && \
./gradlew installDebug && \
adb shell am start -n com.pkg/.MainActivity && \
adb logcat -s MainActivity:V

# Capture crash report
adb logcat -b crash -d > crash.txt && \
adb bugreport > bugreport.zip

# Monitor specific feature
adb logcat -c && adb logcat -s GameManager AuthService SyncManager

CI/CD Integration

# Firebase Test Lab
- name: Run Instrumented Tests
  run: |
    gcloud firebase test android run \
      --type instrumentation \
      --app app-debug.apk \
      --test app-debug-androidTest.apk

Best Practices

• Prefer filtered logs to avoid overwhelming output
• Use -d flag to dump existing logs and exit
• Clear logcat before reproducing issues
• Use Timber tags consistently (class name)

References

• ADB Documentation
• Logcat Guide
• Debug Your App