JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin
Tools you need before writing a line of shared code.
JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin is a free Kotlin Multiplatform Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Kotlin Multiplatform Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Tools Before Code
Before you write a single shared line, you need the right toolchain. Get this setup right and the rest of KMP feels smooth. 🛠️
Start With the JDK
Everything starts with the JDK, the Java Development Kit that compiles and runs your Kotlin code on the JVM side.
Which JDK Version
Pick a modern JDK 17 or newer. It is the safe, well-supported baseline that current Android and Gradle tooling expect.
Check Your Java
Open a terminal and confirm Java is installed and visible. One command tells you the version your machine will use.
java -versionAndroid Studio Is Home Base
Your main workshop is Android Studio, the IDE where you will edit shared code, run the Android app, and manage Gradle.
Use a Recent Studio
Install a recent stable Android Studio. Newer releases ship better Kotlin support and smoother multiplatform tooling out of the box.
The KMP Plugin
Add the Kotlin Multiplatform plugin from the plugins marketplace. It unlocks the project wizard and KMP-aware editing features.
Where Plugins Live
Find it under Settings then Plugins, search Marketplace for the multiplatform tooling, install, and restart Studio to activate it.
Android SDK Comes Too
Studio also installs the Android SDK, the platform libraries and build tools your Android target compiles against.
An Emulator to Test On
Create an Android emulator from the Device Manager so you can run and see your shared code working without a physical phone.
This Covers Android Only
So far you can build the Android half of KMP. The iOS side needs Mac-specific tools you will set up in the next lesson.
Quick Check
Which JDK version is the recommended safe baseline for modern KMP?
Recap
You lined up the essentials: a JDK 17+, Android Studio with the KMP plugin, the Android SDK, and an emulator. The Android side is ready. ✅
Frequently asked questions
Is the “JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin” is free to read here on the web, and the Kotlin Multiplatform Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Kotlin Multiplatform Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin”?
Tools you need before writing a line of shared code. You practise Kotlin Multiplatform Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Kotlin Multiplatform Academy?
No prior experience is required. Kotlin Multiplatform Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Kotlin Multiplatform Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Kotlin Multiplatform Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- JDK, Android Studio & the KMP Plugin
- Xcode & CocoaPods for the iOS Side
- Generate a Project with the KMP Wizard
- Tour of the Generated Folders