How to can i build for android using github actions #10693

John4650-hub · 2025-02-10T16:11:24Z

John4650-hub
Feb 10, 2025

I have setup a workflow file using menny/android image for container. I usually use that for my android projects.
Here is my workflow, so i wanted to see what the template "myCoolApp" for javascript looked like and tried building it ,

name: nativeScript

on:
  push:
    branches: Nad
jobs:
  build:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    container: johnel/nativescript
    steps:
    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
    - name: Run g4f
      run: |
        ns create myCoolApp --js
        cd myCoolApp
        ns build android
        gh release create "${{ github.run_number }}.0.0" myCoolapp.zip
      env:
        GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.TK }}
      shell: bash

I have ran into the same error that has be reported multiple time by alot of new users. I was detetmined to get started but something like settingup a simple build environment has taken me sometime.

A compatible Android SDK for compilation is found.
Javac is installed and is configured properly.
The Java Development Kit (JDK) is installed and is configured properly.
Local builds for iOS can be executed only on a macOS system. To build for iOS on a different operating system, you can use the NativeScript cloud infrastructure.
✔ Your ANDROID_HOME environment variable is set and points to correct directory.
✔ Your adb from the Android SDK is correctly installed.
✔ A compatible Android SDK for compilation is found.
✔ Javac is installed and is configured properly.
✔ The Java Development Kit (JDK) is installed and is configured properly.
✔ Local builds for iOS can be executed only on a macOS system. To build for iOS on a different operating system, you can use the NativeScript cloud infrastructure.
✖ WARNING: The Android SDK is not installed or is not configured properly. 
 You will not be able to run your apps in the native emulator. To be able to run apps
in the native Android emulator, verify that you have installed the latest Android SDK 
and its dependencies as described in

Just incase you need it . I created a simple image

FROM menny/android
MAINTAINER John Delvin <johndelvin51@gmail.com>

# NodeJS
RUN apt-get update -y
RUN apt-get install nodejs -y
RUN apt-get install npm -y
RUN wget https://github.com/cli/cli/releases/download/v2.50.0/gh_2.50.0_linux_amd64.deb
RUN apt install -y ./gh_2.50.0_linux_amd64.deb
RUN npm install -g nativescript

Answered by ammarahm-ed

Feb 11, 2025

Hi, you can enable abi splits https://old.docs.nativescript.org/angular/tooling/publishing/android-abi-split#enable-abi-split to reduce the size of your apk. NativeScript android app pack v8 which is around 15-20MB in size for each architecture. Right now you are building universal apk which packs everything for all archs making the apk around 90MBs. In reality when you release your app to the android playstore as an aab, the final release apk will be much smaller in size.

View full answer

John4650-hub · 2025-02-10T16:14:37Z

John4650-hub
Feb 10, 2025
Author

I would appreciate it if anyone could create an uptodate docker image to automate the whole process as this issue is really discouraging alot of guys from using Nativescript.

3 replies

John4650-hub Feb 11, 2025
Author

I got it to work but man, the apk size is too large for even something as simple as a blank template. I don't know why but really why make the apk size this large(90 mbs +) yet most android devices have limited storage space.
This is the log i have i don't know if there's something i haven't configured,

Unzipping /home/runner/.gradle/wrapper/dists/gradle-8.4-bin/1w5dpkrfk8irigvoxmyhowfim/gradle-8.4-bin.zip to /home/runner/.gradle/wrapper/dists/gradle-8.4-bin/1w5dpkrfk8irigvoxmyhowfim
Set executable permissions for: /home/runner/.gradle/wrapper/dists/gradle-8.4-bin/1w5dpkrfk8irigvoxmyhowfim/gradle-8.4/bin/gradle
	 ~ applying user-defined configuration from /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/App_Resources/Android/before-plugins.gradle
Built aar for @nativescript/core
Updating runtime package.json with configuration values...
Project successfully prepared (android)
Building project...
Gradle build...
	 + applying user-defined configuration from /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/App_Resources/Android/before-plugins.gradle
	 + applying user-defined configuration from /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/App_Resources/Android/before-plugins.gradle
	 + setting applicationId
	 + applying user-defined configuration from /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/App_Resources/Android/app.gradle
	 + adding nativescript runtime package dependency: nativescript-optimized-with-inspector
	 + adding aar plugin dependency: /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/node_modules/@nativescript/core/platforms/android/widgets-release.aar
	 + adding aar plugin dependency: /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/node_modules/@nativescript/core/platforms/android/winter_cg-release.aar
	 + adding aar plugin dependency: /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/node_modules/@nativescript/core/platforms/android/core.aar
Note: Some input files use or override a deprecated API.
Note: Recompile with -Xlint:deprecation for details.
Note: Some input files use or override a deprecated API.
Note: Recompile with -Xlint:deprecation for details.
Project successfully built.
Build time: 154.342 s.
The build result is located at: /home/runner/work/Phaser-psp-/Phaser-psp-/myCoolApp/platforms/android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk

I will keep this open until some one explains why apk size is that big. Now i will be sticking with java for android. Reason for wanting to use Nativescript was to maintain high performance while maximizing development speed also the fact that my runs javascripts games would have even it easier to call the native api

NathanWalker Feb 11, 2025
Maintainer

Great question as it’s why this work has been taking place:
https://x.com/ammarahm_ed/status/1887932213179859176?s=46&t=xO7ZRuPOKvNVkUfT7PjvTQ

You’ll be able to choose any number of JS engines to fit your app size needs soon.
You can try some of it now by switching your @nativescript/android to “napi-quickjs” (npm tag) in your package.json. Then “ns clean” and run.

There will be more information out about this with 8.9 this month. @ammarahm-ed

ammarahm-ed Feb 11, 2025
Maintainer

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Sunbelt Computer Software

PL/B Language Development and Support

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