Composite build exception when adding a library module dependency from the second build

[dimitar71]

Current Behavior

1. I am having 2 Android projects in two folders next to each other as follow:

MyApplication
.. app Android application module
...... build.gradle
.. api - Android library module
...... build.gradle
.. settings.gradle

SharedLibraries
.. app Android application module
...... build.gradle
.. shared-library - Android library module
...... build.gradle
.. settings.gradle

2. MyApplication/settings.gradle has includeBuild("../SharedLibraries").

3. I want to have a SharedLibraries/shared-library dependency in MyApplication/api/build.gradle

---

When I add in MyApplication/api/build.gradle this line:
implementation(project(":SharedLibraries:shared-library"))

I get this exception

Build file '/Users/dimitar/AndroidStudioProjects/MyApplication/api/build.gradle.kts' line: 33
org.gradle.api.UnknownProjectException: Project with path ':SharedLibraries:shared-library' could not be found in project ':api'.
	at org.gradle.api.internal.project.DefaultProject.project(DefaultProject.java:692)
	at org.gradle.api.internal.project.DefaultProject.project(DefaultProject.java:685)
	at org.gradle.internal.service.scopes.DefaultProjectFinder.getProject(DefaultProjectFinder.java:33)

---

Attached is a screenshot of the project structure.

Expected Behavior

Library module dependency from a includeBuild() project should be valid and used as expected.

Context (optional)

No response

Steps to Reproduce

Please open MyApplication project from Android Studio and try to File > Sync Project with Gradle Files.

Exception will be shown in Build window.

Here is the project zip - composite_build_exception.zip

Gradle version

8.6

Build scan URL (optional)

No response

Your Environment (optional)

Android Studio Iguana
Mac OS Sonoma 14.3.1

[ov7a]

Your issue appears to be a question about how to use Gradle. They should be asked in a different channel, so we will close it. Your question might be answered in Gradle documentation or on our community Slack or forums. Find links to these resources on help.gradle.org.

If you think our analysis is wrong, please provide us with more detailed information explaining why.

---

You are supposed to use implementation("com.example.shared_library:1.0") instead of implementation(project(":SharedLibraries:shared-library")). See the documentation.

[dimitar71]

I still think the issue lies in composite builds.

The documentation provides sample of using binary libraries (JAR, AAR) - Defining a composite build:

The my-utils multi-project build produces two Java libraries, number-utils and string-utils. The my-app build produces an executable using functions from those libraries.

The problem I am having is using the Android library module as code, not as JAR/AAR.

[ov7a]

The problem I am having is using the Android library module as code, not as JAR/AAR.

Then try to include those projects in your build without composite builds, using regular include

[dimitar71]

include() works only when modules are part of same project.

These modules are in two separate projects.

Composite builds include a separate build via includeBuild()

I would not post here unless I am really stuck.

I think this in issue with Gradle (or Android Gradle plugin).

Still nothing from Android team - https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/328115462.
And not that much in Gradle Community Slack channel - https://gradle-community.slack.com/archives/CAHSN3LDN/p1709760926133779.

No fun :(

[dimitar71]

I stand corrected.
The issue is on my side, not a Gradle problem.

Adding group and version and using Maven coordinates solved it.

Thanks to the responds which nudged me to the right direction - https://gradle-community.slack.com/archives/CAHSN3LDN/p1709760926133779

[ov7a]

@dimitar71 Sorry for misleading you. Glad you resolved the issue.

The comment in the thread is right: the documentation on the composite builds should be improved. Thus, I'm reopening this as a documentation issue.