add-dependency

name	add-dependency
description	Add a new third-party dependency to the project following the version catalog and approval workflow.

Add Third-Party Dependency

This skill outlines the necessary steps to validly adding a new dependency to the project.

Workflow

1. Verify Necessity:

   • Goal: Ensure the dependency is absolutely necessary.
   • Action: Avoid adding new third-party dependencies unless there is no tailored solution available or implementing it manually helps the project significantly.
   • Action: You MUST get user approval before adding any new third-party dependency. Explain why it is needed and what alternatives were considered.

2. Find Latest Version:

   • Goal: Use the most up-to-date stable version.
   • Action: Perform a web search to determine the latest stable version of the library.
   • Example: search_web(query="latest version of retrofit")

3. Update Version Catalog:

   • Goal: Centralize dependency management.
   • Action: Add the dependency to gradle/libs.versions.toml.
   • Format:

     [versions]
     libraryName = "1.2.3"
     
     [libraries]
     library-artifact = { group = "com.example", name = "library-artifact", version.ref = "libraryName" }
     

4. Sync and Build:

   • Goal: Verify the dependency is resolved correctly.
   • Action: Run a build or sync command to ensure the new dependency doesn't break the build.
   • Command: ./gradlew assembleDebug (or relevant task).

Guidelines

• Approval First: Do not modify files before getting confirmation from the user (unless in a fully autonomous mode where this is pre-approved).
• No Hardcoding: Never put version numbers directly in build.gradle.kts files. Always use the version catalog (libs.versions.toml).