Aesthetic Computer - Android App#

Native Android wrapper for aesthetic.computer.

Build Flavors#

This project has two build flavors:

Consumer Flavor#

Simple WebView app that loads https://aesthetic.computer. For Google Play Store distribution.

Features:

• Clean WebView wrapper
• Camera/microphone permissions for pieces that need them
• Deep linking for aesthetic.computer/* URLs
• Splash screen with purple branding

Kiosk Flavor#

Device owner mode app for dedicated installations (art exhibits, kiosks, etc).

Features:

• Local HTTPS server with self-signed SSL
• Device admin/owner mode for lock task
• Boot receiver for auto-start
• Blocks back/home buttons
• Hides system UI

Building#

GitHub Actions (Recommended)#

The easiest way to build is via GitHub Actions:

1. Automatic builds: Push changes to android/ on main branch
2. Manual builds: Go to Actions → "Android Build" → Run workflow
   • Choose debug or release
   • Choose consumer, kiosk, or all
3. Download APKs: From the workflow run artifacts

APKs are available as downloadable artifacts for 30 days (debug) or 90 days (release).

Local Build Prerequisites#

• Java 17+ (brew install openjdk@17 on Mac)
• Android SDK (via Android Studio or standalone)
• Set ANDROID_HOME environment variable
• Note: Building in the devcontainer won't work (ARM64 can't run x86_64 Android SDK tools)

Build Commands#

cd android

# Consumer (Play Store)
./gradlew assembleConsumerDebug      # Debug APK
./gradlew assembleConsumerRelease    # Release APK (needs signing)

# Kiosk (Device installations)
./gradlew assembleKioskDebug
./gradlew assembleKioskRelease

# Build both
./gradlew assembleDebug
./gradlew assembleRelease

Output Locations#

app/build/outputs/apk/consumer/debug/app-consumer-debug.apk
app/build/outputs/apk/consumer/release/app-consumer-release.apk
app/build/outputs/apk/kiosk/debug/app-kiosk-debug.apk
app/build/outputs/apk/kiosk/release/app-kiosk-release.apk

Testing on Device#

Via USB (Mac → Android device)#

1. Enable Developer Mode on Android device:

   • Settings → About Phone → Tap "Build Number" 7 times

2. Enable USB Debugging:

   • Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging → On

3. Connect device and accept the debugging prompt

4. Install APK:

# Install consumer debug build
adb install app/build/outputs/apk/consumer/debug/app-consumer-debug.apk

# Or force reinstall
adb install -r app/build/outputs/apk/consumer/debug/app-consumer-debug.apk

Via Wireless ADB (from devcontainer)#

If your Mac host and Android device are on the same network:

1. On device: Settings → Developer Options → Wireless Debugging → Enable
2. Get pairing code from device
3. From Mac terminal:

adb pair <device-ip>:<pairing-port>  # Enter pairing code
adb connect <device-ip>:<debug-port>
adb install path/to/app.apk

Project Structure#

android/
├── app/
│   ├── build.gradle.kts      # Build config with product flavors
│   └── src/
│       ├── main/             # Shared code (theme, resources)
│       │   ├── AndroidManifest.xml
│       │   ├── java/computer/aesthetic/ui/theme/
│       │   └── res/          # Icons, colors, strings
│       │
│       ├── consumer/         # Play Store version
│       │   ├── AndroidManifest.xml
│       │   └── java/computer/aesthetic/
│       │       └── MainActivity.kt
│       │
│       └── kiosk/            # Device installation version
│           ├── AndroidManifest.xml
│           ├── java/computer/aesthetic/
│           │   ├── MainActivity.kt
│           │   ├── LocalHttpServer.kt
│           │   ├── BootReceiver.kt
│           │   └── MyDeviceAdminReceiver.kt
│           └── res/
│               ├── raw/keystore.bks
│               └── xml/device_admin.xml
│
├── gradle/                   # Gradle wrapper & version catalog
└── build.gradle.kts          # Root build config

Play Store Release#

1. Generate Upload Keystore#

keytool -genkey -v -keystore aesthetic-upload.jks -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000 -alias upload

2. Configure Signing#

Add to app/build.gradle.kts:

signingConfigs {
    create("release") {
        storeFile = file("../aesthetic-upload.jks")
        storePassword = System.getenv("KEYSTORE_PASSWORD")
        keyAlias = "upload"
        keyPassword = System.getenv("KEY_PASSWORD")
    }
}

buildTypes {
    release {
        signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("release")
        // ...
    }
}

3. Build Release Bundle#

./gradlew bundleConsumerRelease
# Output: app/build/outputs/bundle/consumerRelease/app-consumer-release.aab

4. Upload to Play Console#

1. Create app in Google Play Console
2. Upload .aab file to Internal Testing track
3. Fill out store listing, content rating, privacy policy
4. Promote to Production when ready

Kiosk Setup (Device Owner Mode)#

For dedicated devices that boot directly into the app:

1. Factory Reset Device#

Start with a fresh device.

2. Set Device Owner via ADB#

adb shell dpm set-device-owner computer.aesthetic.kiosk/.MyDeviceAdminReceiver

3. Install Kiosk APK#

adb install app-kiosk-release.apk

The device will now boot directly into Aesthetic Computer.

Dependencies#

• Kotlin 2.0.21
• Jetpack Compose (BOM 2024.12.01)
• AndroidX Core KTX 1.15.0
• AndroidX Splashscreen 1.0.1
• NanoHTTPD 2.3.1 (kiosk only)

Version History#

• 1.1.0 - Build flavor support (consumer vs kiosk)
• 1.0.0 - Initial kiosk-only release