How I Built a Native Android App with Almost Zero Kotlin Experience
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A Ruby developer with almost no Kotlin experience built a native Android app by wrapping an existing Rails web app using Hotwire Native. The process involved creating a minimal Android shell project, adding Hotwire Native dependencies, pointing it at the Rails app URL, and using a path configuration JSON file to control native navigation behaviors like modal sheets. The result: live search, SQLite-backed data, and instant updates without an API or separate mobile frontend — all from a single Rails codebase.
Table of contents
The Foundation: Building the Rails AppThe Magic: Enter Hotwire NativeSTEP 1: The Android ProjectSTEP 2: Pointing to the Rails AppSTEP 3: The Path ConfigurationWhy I Love This ApproachSort: