By name: android-cli
description: "Reference for the AndroidSdk.Tool CLI (android command) - a .NET global tool for Android SDK automation. Use when: (1) Managing Android SDK packages (list, install, uninstall, download), (2) Working with AVDs/emulators (create, delete, start, list), (3) Interacting with connected devices via ADB (list devices, get properties, install/uninstall APKs), (4) Locating or configuring JDK for Android development, (5) Setting up CI/CD for Android or .NET MAUI development, (6) Reading APK manifest information, (7) Accepting SDK licenses non-interactively."
AndroidSdk.Tool CLI Reference
The android CLI is a .NET global tool providing programmatic access to Android SDK management. Install with:
dotnet tool install -g AndroidSdk.Tool
Command Groups
| Group | Purpose |
|---|---|
sdk |
SDK package management (list, install, download, licenses) |
avd |
Android Virtual Device management (create, delete, start) |
device |
Connected device operations via ADB |
jdk |
JDK discovery and configuration |
apk |
APK inspection tools |
Quick Start Examples
# Find SDK and show info
android sdk find
android sdk info
# List available and installed packages
android sdk list --available
android sdk list --installed
# Install emulator and system image
android sdk install --package emulator
android sdk install --package "system-images;android-34;google_apis;x86_64"
# Create and start an emulator
android avd create --name TestDevice --sdk "system-images;android-34;google_apis;x86_64" --device pixel_6
android avd start --name TestDevice --wait-boot
# List connected devices and install APK
android device list
android device install --package ./app.apk
Common Options
Most commands support:
-f|--format <json|xml>- Output as JSON or XML instead of table-h|--home <path>- Specify Android SDK home path (overrides auto-detection)
Detailed Command Reference
For complete parameter details, see:
- SDK Management: references/sdk-commands.md - Package listing, installation, downloads, licenses
- AVD/Emulator: references/avd-emulator.md - Creating, configuring, and launching emulators
- Device/ADB: references/device-adb.md - Device discovery, properties, app installation
- JDK Management: references/jdk-commands.md - JDK location and .NET configuration
- APK Inspection: references/apk-commands.md - Reading APK manifest information
CI/CD Workflow Example
# Download SDK to specific location (for CI)
android sdk download --home /opt/android-sdk --force
# Accept all licenses non-interactively
android sdk accept-licenses --force
# Install required components
android sdk install --package "platform-tools"
android sdk install --package "emulator"
android sdk install --package "platforms;android-34"
android sdk install --package "system-images;android-34;google_apis;x86_64"
# Create headless emulator
android avd create --name CI_Emulator --sdk "system-images;android-34;google_apis;x86_64" --device pixel_6 --force
# Start emulator in headless mode and wait for boot
android avd start --name CI_Emulator --no-window --no-audio --no-boot-anim --wait-boot --timeout 300
# Run tests, then devices are cleaned up when CI job ends
Setting .NET MAUI/Xamarin Preferred Paths
Configure the SDK/JDK paths that .NET Android workloads will use:
# Set preferred Android SDK for .NET builds
android sdk dotnet-prefer --home /path/to/android-sdk
# Set preferred JDK for .NET builds
android jdk dotnet-prefer --home /path/to/jdk