| name | adb |
| description | Manipulates Android devices via ADB with emphasis on Wear OS. Provides scripts for screenshots, screen recording, tile management, WearableService inspection, package operations, and device configuration. Use when working with adb, Android devices, Wear OS watches, tiles, wearable data layer, dumpsys, or device debugging. Triggers: adb, android device, wear os, wearable, tile, screenshot, screen recording, dumpsys, logcat.
|
| compatibility | Requires adb. Some scripts require magick (ImageMagick), aapt, or scrcpy. Designed for filesystem-based agents with bash access.
|
Android ADB
Important: Use Scripts First
ALWAYS prefer the scripts in scripts/ over raw adb commands. Scripts are
located in the scripts/ subdirectory of this skill's folder. They provide
features that raw commands do not, such as:
- Automatic circular masking for Wear OS screenshots
- Device wake-up before capture
- Clipboard integration on macOS
- Sensible default filenames and error handling
When to read the script source: If a script doesn't do exactly what you
need, or fails due to missing dependencies, read the script source. The scripts
encode solutions to edge cases and platform quirks that may not be obvious—use
them as reference when building similar functionality.
Quick Start
Target specific devices using the ANDROID_SERIAL environment variable if
multiple devices are connected.
Highest-Value Commands
-
Screenshot (auto-masks circular Wear OS displays):
scripts/adb-screenshot
-
Wear OS Tile Debugging Workflow:
scripts/adb-tile-add com.example/.MyTileService -> output gives INDEX
scripts/adb-tile-show INDEX
-
Inspect Wear OS Data Layer:
adb exec-out dumpsys activity service WearableService
-
Package Information: scripts/packagename tiles PACKAGE_NAME
scripts/packagename services PACKAGE_NAME
-
Device Info: scripts/adb-device-properties
-
Discover Activities: scripts/adb-activities (find launcher, TV, settings
activities)
Script Index
See references/command-index.md for detailed usage.
Device Basics
scripts/adb-devices: List connected devices.
scripts/adb-device-properties: Show key device properties (model,
manufacturer, etc.).
scripts/adb-api-level: Get the device API level (SDK version).
scripts/adb-keyevent-wakeup / sleep: Wake up or put device to sleep.
scripts/adb-log: Write a message to the system log.
scripts/adb-logcat-tag: Stream logcat output filtered by a specific tag.
scripts/adb-version-sft: Extract the Health Tracking GmsModule version.
Media Capture
scripts/adb-screenshot: Take a screenshot. Always use this instead of raw
adb shell screencap. Features: auto-detects square Wear OS displays and
applies circular mask, wakes device before capture, copies to macOS clipboard,
generates timestamped filenames by default.
scripts/adb-screenrecord: Record the screen to a file.
scripts/adb-screenmirror: Mirror the device screen using scrcpy.
scripts/adb-screenrecord-raw: Record the screen using raw frames and ffmpeg.
Tile Management (Wear OS)
scripts/adb-tile-add: Add a tile component for debugging.
scripts/adb-tile-show: Show an added tile.
scripts/adb-tile-remove: Remove a tile.
scripts/adb-tiles: List available tiles and indicate which are in the
carousel.
scripts/adb-watchface-add: Set the current watch face.
[!NOTE] Tile Indexing (Index=[0]): When adding a new tile using
scripts/adb-tile-add, the output often indicates Index=[0]. This means the
tile was added to the first position in the carousel, pushing existing
tiles down. It does not mean it has overwritten previous tiles.
Verifying Installed Tiles: Use scripts/adb-tiles to list all available
tiles and see which ones are currently in the carousel. The output uses
prefixes like UTWC where C indicates it is in the carousel.
Activity Discovery
scripts/adb-activities: List activities tagged by category (Launcher, Home,
TV/Leanback, Settings). Use --launcher-only, --tv-only, --settings-only
to filter. Add --all to include system apps.
scripts/adb-uihierarchy: Dump the UI hierarchy to an XML file.
scripts/adb-currentfocus: Display the package name that currently has focus.
scripts/adb-intent-view: Start an activity with a VIEW intent.
Package Operations
scripts/packagename: Comprehensive package tool (uninstall, launch, stop,
clear-cache).
scripts/adb-logcat-package: Show logcat filtered for a specific package.
scripts/apk-tiles: List tiles declared in an APK file.
scripts/adb-packages: List installed packages.
scripts/apk-cat-manifest: Display the AndroidManifest.xml from an APK.
System & Dumpsys
scripts/adb-battery-stats: Display battery-related information and settings.
scripts/adb-jobscheduler: Display dumpsys information for the Android
JobScheduler.
Display & Demo Mode
scripts/adb-demo-on / off: Toggle Android demo mode (clean status bar).
scripts/adb-fontscale-default / large: Change font size.
scripts/adb-theme: Get or set system theme customization (e.g., set to
'lemongrass'). Requires Wear OS 6+ (API 36+).
scripts/adb-settings-theme: Open system theme settings (requires
root/debuggable build).
scripts/adb-touches-on / off: Show/hide taps on screen.
Safety Notes
- Debug Broadcasts: Tile management relies on Wear OS debug broadcasts
(
com.google.android.wearable.app.DEBUG_SURFACE) which may not work on
production builds without developer options or specific system images.
- USB Debugging: Requires
adb authorization.
- Destructive Actions: Scripts like
adb-tile-remove or
packagename uninstall modify device state.
Reference Material