xml-to-compose

SKILL.md

XML to Jetpack Compose Converter

Convert Android XML layouts to idiomatic Jetpack Compose code.

Conversion Process

  1. Analyze the XML structure and identify root layout
  2. Map each view to its Compose equivalent
  3. Convert attributes to Modifier chains (order matters!)
  4. Handle resource references (@string, @dimen, @color)
  5. Extract styles into reusable composables or theme values

Quick Reference

Layouts

XML Compose
LinearLayout (vertical) Column
LinearLayout (horizontal) Row
FrameLayout Box
ConstraintLayout Column/Row or ConstraintLayout (dependency)
ScrollView Column + Modifier.verticalScroll()
RecyclerView LazyColumn / LazyRow
ViewPager2 HorizontalPager

Common Widgets

XML Compose
TextView Text
EditText TextField / OutlinedTextField
Button Button
ImageView Image / AsyncImage (Coil)
CheckBox Checkbox
Switch Switch
ProgressBar CircularProgressIndicator / LinearProgressIndicator
CardView Card

Modifier Order

Order matters! Follow this sequence:

  1. clickable / toggleable
  2. padding (outer)
  3. size / fillMaxWidth / weight
  4. background / clip
  5. border
  6. padding (inner)

Detailed Mappings

See reference files for complete mappings:

  • references/layouts.md — Layout containers
  • references/widgets.md — UI components
  • references/attributes.md — XML attributes to Modifiers

Output Guidelines

  1. Use Material 3 — Import from androidx.compose.material3
  2. Prefer built-in modifiers — Avoid custom implementations
  3. Handle nullability — XML allows null text, Compose needs defaults
  4. Extract dimensions — Use dimensionResource() or define in theme
  5. Keep composables stateless — Hoist state to caller
  6. Add Preview — Include @Preview function for each composable

Example

Input:

<LinearLayout
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:orientation="vertical"
    android:padding="16dp">
    
    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/title"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:text="@string/welcome"
        android:textSize="24sp"
        android:textStyle="bold"/>
        
    <Button
        android:id="@+id/action_button"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_marginTop="8dp"
        android:text="@string/get_started"/>
</LinearLayout>

Output:

@Composable
fun WelcomeSection(
    onGetStartedClick: () -> Unit,
    modifier: Modifier = Modifier
) {
    Column(
        modifier = modifier
            .fillMaxWidth()
            .padding(16.dp)
    ) {
        Text(
            text = stringResource(R.string.welcome),
            fontSize = 24.sp,
            fontWeight = FontWeight.Bold
        )
        
        Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(8.dp))
        
        Button(
            onClick = onGetStartedClick,
            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth()
        ) {
            Text(text = stringResource(R.string.get_started))
        }
    }
}

@Preview(showBackground = true)
@Composable
private fun WelcomeSectionPreview() {
    WelcomeSection(onGetStartedClick = {})
}

Key conversions:

  • match_parentfillMaxWidth() / fillMaxHeight()
  • wrap_content → default (no modifier needed)
  • layout_marginTopSpacer between elements
  • Click listeners → lambda parameters
  • IDs → not needed (state hoisting instead)
Weekly Installs
3
GitHub Stars
7
First Seen
Feb 5, 2026
Installed on
opencode3
gemini-cli2
replit2
claude-code2
github-copilot2
codex2