# 💙 Flutter Development Workflow Examples
Real-world examples using MCP Mobile Server tools for Flutter development.
---
## 🚀 Complete Flutter Development Cycle
### **1. Environment Setup and Verification**
```json
// Check server health and tool availability
{
"tool": "health_check",
"arguments": { "verbose": true }
}
// Diagnose Flutter environment
{
"tool": "flutter_doctor",
"arguments": {}
}
// Check Flutter version
{
"tool": "flutter_version",
"arguments": {}
}
```
**Expected Results:**
- Server status: healthy
- Flutter toolchain: ✅ working
- All required tools detected
### **2. Device Discovery and Selection**
```json
// List all available devices
{
"tool": "flutter_list_devices",
"arguments": {}
}
// Alternative: Use native-run for cross-platform device detection
{
"tool": "native_run_list_devices",
"arguments": { "platform": "android" }
}
// List iOS simulators (macOS only)
{
"tool": "ios_list_simulators",
"arguments": {}
}
// Boot iOS simulator if needed
{
"tool": "ios_boot_simulator",
"arguments": { "udid": "your-simulator-udid" }
}
```
**Device Selection Strategy:**
- Physical devices for performance testing
- Emulators/simulators for UI testing
- Web/desktop for rapid prototyping
---
## 🏗️ Development Workflow
### **3. Project Preparation**
```bash
# Create new Flutter project (outside MCP)
flutter create my_awesome_app
cd my_awesome_app
```
```json
// Install/update dependencies
{
"tool": "flutter_pub_get",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"upgrade": false
}
}
// Clean project if needed
{
"tool": "flutter_clean",
"arguments": { "cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app" }
}
```
### **4. Development with Hot Reload**
```json
// Start development server with hot reload
{
"tool": "flutter_run",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"deviceId": "emulator-5554",
"buildMode": "debug",
"target": "lib/main.dart"
}
}
```
**Development Tips:**
- Hot reload: Save files to see changes instantly
- Hot restart: Use when changing app state or main()
- Debug mode: Best for development with assertions
### **5. Testing**
```json
// Run all tests
{
"tool": "flutter_test",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"coverage": true
}
}
// Run specific test file
{
"tool": "flutter_test",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"testPath": "test/widget_test.dart"
}
}
```
**Testing Strategy:**
- Unit tests: Business logic
- Widget tests: UI components
- Integration tests: Full user flows
---
## 📦 Build and Release Workflow
### **6. Debug Builds**
```json
// Build Android APK (debug)
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "debug"
}
}
// Build iOS app (debug) - macOS only
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"target": "ios",
"buildMode": "debug"
}
}
```
### **7. Release Builds**
```json
// Build Android APK (release)
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "release"
}
}
// Build for multiple platforms
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/my_awesome_app",
"target": "web",
"buildMode": "release"
}
}
```
### **8. App Installation and Testing**
```json
// Install APK on Android device
{
"tool": "android_install_apk",
"arguments": {
"apkPath": "/path/to/my_awesome_app/build/app/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk",
"deviceId": "emulator-5554"
}
}
// Alternative: Use native-run for cross-platform installation
{
"tool": "native_run_install_app",
"arguments": {
"platform": "android",
"appPath": "/path/to/app-release.apk",
"deviceId": "emulator-5554"
}
}
```
---
## 🐛 Debugging and Monitoring
### **9. Log Monitoring**
```json
// Monitor Android logs
{
"tool": "android_logcat",
"arguments": {
"deviceId": "emulator-5554",
"filter": "flutter",
"priority": "V",
"duration": 30000
}
}
```
### **10. Visual Testing**
```json
// Take Android screenshots
{
"tool": "android_screenshot",
"arguments": {
"deviceId": "emulator-5554",
"outputPath": "./screenshots/android/",
"filename": "home_screen.png"
}
}
// Take iOS screenshots
{
"tool": "ios_take_screenshot",
"arguments": {
"udid": "your-simulator-udid",
"outputPath": "./screenshots/ios/",
"filename": "home_screen.png"
}
}
```
---
## 🔄 Real-World Development Scenarios
### **Scenario 1: Cross-Platform Feature Development**
```json
// 1. Check available devices
{ "tool": "flutter_list_devices", "arguments": {} }
// 2. Start development on Android
{
"tool": "flutter_run",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"deviceId": "emulator-5554"
}
}
// 3. Test on iOS (macOS)
{
"tool": "ios_boot_simulator",
"arguments": { "udid": "ios-simulator-udid" }
}
{
"tool": "flutter_run",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"deviceId": "ios-simulator-udid"
}
}
// 4. Compare screenshots across platforms
{ "tool": "android_screenshot", "arguments": {...} }
{ "tool": "ios_take_screenshot", "arguments": {...} }
```
### **Scenario 2: Performance Testing**
```json
// 1. Build release version
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "release"
}
}
// 2. Install on physical device
{
"tool": "android_install_apk",
"arguments": {
"apkPath": "./build/app/outputs/apk/release/app-release.apk",
"deviceId": "physical-device-id"
}
}
// 3. Monitor performance logs
{
"tool": "android_logcat",
"arguments": {
"deviceId": "physical-device-id",
"filter": "flutter",
"priority": "I",
"duration": 60000
}
}
```
### **Scenario 3: CI/CD Integration**
```json
// Automated testing pipeline
[
{
"tool": "health_check",
"arguments": { "verbose": true }
},
{
"tool": "flutter_doctor",
"arguments": {}
},
{
"tool": "flutter_pub_get",
"arguments": { "cwd": "/path/to/project" }
},
{
"tool": "flutter_test",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"coverage": true
}
},
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "release"
}
}
]
```
---
## 🎯 Advanced Workflows
### **Multi-Flavor Development**
```json
// Build different flavors
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "release",
"flavor": "production"
}
}
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "debug",
"flavor": "development"
}
}
```
### **Automated Screenshot Testing**
```json
// Capture screenshots across devices for UI regression testing
[
{
"tool": "android_screenshot",
"arguments": {
"deviceId": "pixel_6",
"outputPath": "./screenshots/pixel6/",
"filename": "home_screen.png"
}
},
{
"tool": "android_screenshot",
"arguments": {
"deviceId": "samsung_s21",
"outputPath": "./screenshots/s21/",
"filename": "home_screen.png"
}
},
{
"tool": "ios_take_screenshot",
"arguments": {
"udid": "iphone_15_pro",
"outputPath": "./screenshots/iphone15/",
"filename": "home_screen.png"
}
}
]
```
---
## ⚡ Performance Tips
### **Efficient Development Cycle**
1. **Use Hot Reload for UI Changes**
```json
// Keep flutter_run session active
{ "tool": "flutter_run", "arguments": { ... } }
// Make code changes, save files
// See changes instantly without restart
```
2. **Batch Operations**
```json
// Run multiple builds in parallel (if system allows)
[
{ "tool": "flutter_build", "arguments": { "target": "apk" } },
{ "tool": "flutter_build", "arguments": { "target": "web" } }
]
```
3. **Smart Device Selection**
```json
// Use fastest available device for iteration
{ "tool": "flutter_list_devices", "arguments": {} }
// Choose emulator over slow physical device for UI work
// Use physical device for performance testing
```
### **Resource Management**
1. **Clean Between Major Changes**
```json
{
"tool": "flutter_clean",
"arguments": { "cwd": "/path/to/project" }
}
```
2. **Update Dependencies Regularly**
```json
{
"tool": "flutter_pub_get",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"upgrade": true
}
}
```
---
## 🚨 Troubleshooting Common Issues
### **Build Failures**
```json
// 1. Clean and retry
{ "tool": "flutter_clean", "arguments": { "cwd": "/path/to/project" } }
{ "tool": "flutter_pub_get", "arguments": { "cwd": "/path/to/project" } }
{ "tool": "flutter_build", "arguments": { ... } }
// 2. Check environment
{ "tool": "flutter_doctor", "arguments": {} }
```
### **Device Connection Issues**
```json
// 1. Refresh device list
{ "tool": "flutter_list_devices", "arguments": {} }
// 2. Try alternative tool
{ "tool": "native_run_list_devices", "arguments": {} }
// 3. Check specific platform
{ "tool": "android_list_devices", "arguments": {} }
```
### **Performance Issues**
```json
// 1. Use release build for testing
{
"tool": "flutter_build",
"arguments": {
"cwd": "/path/to/project",
"target": "apk",
"buildMode": "release"
}
}
// 2. Monitor device logs
{
"tool": "android_logcat",
"arguments": {
"priority": "W", // Only warnings and errors
"duration": 30000
}
}
```
---
## 📊 Workflow Checklist
**Pre-Development:**
- [ ] Environment verified with `health_check` and `flutter_doctor`
- [ ] Devices available via `flutter_list_devices`
- [ ] Project dependencies updated with `flutter_pub_get`
**Development:**
- [ ] Hot reload active via `flutter_run`
- [ ] Regular testing with `flutter_test`
- [ ] Screenshots captured for UI verification
**Pre-Release:**
- [ ] Clean build with `flutter_clean`
- [ ] Release builds created with `flutter_build`
- [ ] Apps tested on real devices via installation tools
- [ ] Performance verified with device logs
**Post-Release:**
- [ ] Apps installed on multiple devices for verification
- [ ] User flows tested with screenshots
- [ ] Performance logs analyzed
---
**💡 Pro Tip:** Save common workflows as scripts or templates for consistent development processes across team members.
