Java Gradle Skill

Master Gradle build tool with Kotlin DSL for Java projects.

Overview

This skill covers Gradle configuration with Kotlin DSL including task configuration, dependency management with catalogs, build cache optimization, and CI/CD integration.

When to Use This Skill

Use when you need to:

• Configure Gradle builds (Kotlin DSL)
• Manage dependencies with catalogs
• Optimize build performance
• Set up build cache
• Create custom tasks

Quick Reference

// build.gradle.kts
plugins {
    java
    id("org.springframework.boot") version "3.2.1"
    id("io.spring.dependency-management") version "1.1.4"
}

java {
    toolchain {
        languageVersion = JavaLanguageVersion.of(21)
    }
}

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

dependencies {
    implementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-web")
    testImplementation("org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-test")
}

tasks.withType<JavaCompile> {
    options.compilerArgs.addAll(listOf("-parameters", "-Xlint:all"))
    options.isFork = true
    options.isIncremental = true
}

tasks.test {
    useJUnitPlatform()
    maxParallelForks = Runtime.getRuntime().availableProcessors() / 2
}

Version Catalog

# gradle/libs.versions.toml
[versions]
spring-boot = "3.2.1"

[libraries]
spring-boot-web = { module = "org.springframework.boot:spring-boot-starter-web", version.ref = "spring-boot" }

[plugins]
spring-boot = { id = "org.springframework.boot", version.ref = "spring-boot" }

Useful Commands

gradle dependencies              # View dependencies
gradle dependencyInsight --dependency log4j  # Analyze dep
gradle build --scan              # Build scan
gradle build --build-cache       # Use cache
gradle wrapper --gradle-version 8.5  # Update wrapper

Build Optimization

// settings.gradle.kts
enableFeaturePreview("STABLE_CONFIGURATION_CACHE")

// Enable parallel and caching
org.gradle.parallel=true
org.gradle.caching=true

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
Slow builds	Enable --build-cache
Version conflict	Use platform() or constraints
Cache issues	gradle --refresh-dependencies

Usage

Skill("java-gradle")