# Apache Cordova Documentation

# Android Command-line Tools

The `cordova` command-line utility is a high-level tool that allows you to build applications across several platforms at once. An older version of the Cordova framework provides sets of command-line tools specific to each platform. To use them as an alternative to the CLI, you need to download this version of Cordova from cordova.apache.org. The download contains separate archives for each platform. Expand the platform you wish to target. The tools described here are typically available in the top-level `bin` directory, otherwise consult the README file for more detailed directions.

For information on the low-level command-line interface that enables plugins, see Using Plugman to Manage Plugins. See Application Plugins for an overview.

## Create a Project

Run the `create` command, specifying the existing path to the project, the reverse-domain-style package identifier, and the app's display name. Here is the syntax for both Mac and Windows:

    $ /path/to/cordova-android/bin/create /path/to/project com.example.project_name ProjectName
    $ C:\path\to\cordova-android\bin\create.bat C:\path\to\project com.example.project_name ProjectName

## Build

This cleans then builds a project.

Debug, on Mac or Windows:

    $ /path/to/project/cordova/build --debug
    $ C:\path\to\project\cordova\build.bat --debug

Release, on Mac or Windows:

    $ /path/to/project/cordova/build --release
    $ C:\path\to\project\cordova\build.bat --release

## Run the App

The `run` command accepts the following optional parameters:

- Target specification. This includes `--emulator`, `--device`, or `--target=<targetID>`.

- Build specification. This includes `--debug`, `--release`, or `--nobuild`.

  $ /path/to/project/cordova/run [Target] [Build] $ C:\path\to\project\cordova\run.bat [Target] [Build]

Make sure you create at least one Android Virtual Device, otherwise you're prompted to do so with the `android` command. If more than one AVD is available as a target, you're prompted to select one. By default the `run` command detects a connected device, or a currently running emulator if no device is found.

## Logging

    $ /path/to/project/cordova/log
    $ C:\path\to\project\cordova\log.bat

### Cleaning

    $ /path/to/project/cordova/clean
    $ C:\path\to\project\cordova\clean.bat