# Get Started with Autka: Build from Source

> Build Autka from source with JDK 17 and Android Studio. Run debug builds with Gradle and optionally start the local Cloudflare backend for full-stack development.

Get Autka running on your Android device or emulator in minutes. You need JDK 17, a recent Android Studio, and optionally Node.js if you want to run the local backend alongside the app.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Clone the repository">
    Download the Autka source code from GitHub:

    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/twojstar/Autka.git
    cd Autka
    ```
  </Step>
  <Step title="Install JDK 17">
    Autka requires JDK 17. Verify your installation:

    ```bash
    java -version
    ```

    If you see a version other than 17, install JDK 17 through Android Studio (Settings/Preferences > Build, Execution, Deployment > Build Tools > Gradle > Gradle JDK) or your system package manager.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Open in Android Studio">
    Launch Android Studio and select **Open** to import the `Autka` project folder. Android Studio will sync Gradle and download dependencies automatically. This may take several minutes on first open.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Build the debug APK">
    Assemble a debug build from the terminal or Android Studio's built-in terminal:

    ```bash
    ./gradlew assembleDebug
    ```

    The APK will be placed in `app/build/outputs/apk/debug/`.
  </Step>
  <Step title="Install on device or emulator">
    Install the debug build directly to a connected device or running emulator:

    ```bash
    ./gradlew installDebug
    ```

    Alternatively, drag the APK onto an emulator window or use `adb install`.
  </Step>
  <Step title="(Optional) Start the local backend">
    If you want the app to talk to a local backend instead of production, navigate to the `backend` folder and start the Cloudflare Worker locally:

    ```bash
    cd backend
    npm install
    npm run db:migrate:local
    npm run dev
    ```

    The Android debug build points at `http://10.0.2.2:8787/`, which is the Android emulator alias for the host running `wrangler dev`. A physical device cannot use `10.0.2.2`; for device testing, point the local debug backend URL at the development machine's LAN address (for example `http://192.168.1.20:8787/`) and ensure the Worker is listening on an interface reachable from the phone.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify the build

After installation, open Autka on your device. You should see the main listings screen. If you started the local backend, verify connectivity by checking the source health screen or performing a search.

<Tip>
  Use `./gradlew connectedCheck` to run instrumented tests on a connected device or emulator.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

<Accordion title="Gradle sync fails with JDK version error">
  Ensure Android Studio is using JDK 17 for the project. Go to **Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Build Tools > Gradle > Gradle JDK** and select JDK 17.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Backend not reachable from emulator">
  Confirm the backend is running with `npm run dev` and that the Android debug build uses the emulator loopback. The debug build is preconfigured to `http://10.0.2.2:8787/`.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="InstallDebug fails with device not found">
  Ensure your device is connected with USB debugging enabled, or that an emulator is running. Run `adb devices` to verify detection.
</Accordion>

## Next steps

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Search & Filter" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/autka/search-and-filters">
    Learn how to search and filter car listings across sources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Offline Mode" icon="wifi-off" href="/autka/offline-mode">
    Understand how Autka caches listings for offline use.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/autka/api-reference">
    Explore the backend API endpoints and data models.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>