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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-agent-skills --skill mapbox-android-patterns- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads mapbox-android-patterns automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Mapbox Android Integration Patterns
Official patterns for integrating Mapbox Maps SDK v11 on Android with Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, and View system.
Use this skill when:
- Installing and configuring Mapbox Maps SDK for Android
- Adding markers and annotations to maps
- Showing user location and tracking with camera
- Adding custom data (GeoJSON) to maps
- Working with map styles, camera, or user interaction
- Handling feature interactions and taps
Official Resources:
Installation & Setup
Requirements
- Android SDK 21+
- Kotlin or Java
- Android Studio
- Free Mapbox account
Step 1: Configure Access Token
Create app/res/values/mapbox_access_token.xml:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools">
<string name="mapbox_access_token" translatable="false"
tools:ignore="UnusedResources">YOUR_MAPBOX_ACCESS_TOKEN</string>
</resources>
Get your token: Sign in at mapbox.com
Step 1b: Internet permission (required)
Maps need network access. Include this in AndroidManifest.xml — agents often omit it and only list location permissions later:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
Step 2: Add Maven Repository
In settings.gradle.kts:
dependencyResolutionManagement {
repositories {
google()
mavenCentral()
maven {
url = uri("https://api.mapbox.com/downloads/v2/releases/maven")
}
}
}
Step 3: Add Dependency
In module build.gradle.kts:
android {
defaultConfig {
minSdk = 21
}
}
dependencies {
implementation("com.mapbox.maps:android:11.18.1")
}
For Jetpack Compose:
dependencies {
implementation("com.mapbox.maps:android:11.18.1")
implementation("com.mapbox.extension:maps-compose:11.18.1")
}
Map Initialization
Jetpack Compose Pattern
Basic map:
import androidx.compose.runtime.*
import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize
import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
import com.mapbox.maps.extension.compose.*
import com.mapbox.maps.Style
import com.mapbox.geojson.Point
@Composable
fun MapScreen() {
MapboxMap(
modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()
) {
// Initialize camera via MapEffect (Style.STANDARD loads by default)
MapEffect(Unit) { mapView ->
// Set initial camera position
mapView.mapboxMap.setCamera(
CameraOptions.Builder()
.center(Point.fromLngLat(-122.4194, 37.7749))
.zoom(12.0)
.build()
)
}
}
}
With ornaments:
MapboxMap(
modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
scaleBar = {
ScaleBar(
enabled = true,
position = Alignment.BottomStart
)
},
compass = {
Compass(enabled = true)
}
) {
// Style.STANDARD loads by default
}
View System Pattern
Layout XML (activity_map.xml):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout
xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent">
<com.mapbox.maps.MapView
android:id="@+id/mapView"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent" />
</androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout>
Activity:
import android.os.Bundle
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
import com.mapbox.maps.MapView
import com.mapbox.maps.Style
import com.mapbox.geojson.Point
class MapActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
private lateinit var mapView: MapView
override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
setContentView(R.layout.activity_map)
mapView = findViewById(R.id.mapView)
mapView.mapboxMap.setCamera(
CameraOptions.Builder()
.center(Point.fromLngLat(-122.4194, 37.7749))
.zoom(12.0)
.build()
)
mapView.mapboxMap.loadStyle(Style.STANDARD)
}
override fun onStart() {
super.onStart()
mapView.onStart()
}
override fun onStop() {
super.onStop()
mapView.onStop()
}
override fun onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy()
mapView.onDestroy()
}
}
Add Markers (Point Annotations)
Point annotations are the most common way to mark locations on the map.
Jetpack Compose:
MapboxMap(modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize()) {
MapEffect(Unit) { mapView ->
// Load style first
mapView.mapboxMap.loadStyle(Style.STANDARD)
// Create annotation manager and add markers
val annotationManager = mapView.annotations.createPointAnnotationManager()
val pointAnnotation = PointAnnotationOptions()
.withPoint(Point.fromLngLat(-122.4194, 37.7749))
.withIconImage("custom-marker")
annotationManager.create(pointAnnotation)
}
}
// Note: Compose doesn't have declarative PointAnnotation component
// Markers must be added imperatively via MapEffect
View System:
// Create annotation manager (once, reuse for updates)
val pointAnnotationManager = mapView.annotations.createPointAnnotationManager()
// Create marker
val pointAnnotation = PointAnnotationOptions()
.withPoint(Point.fromLngLat(-122.4194, 37.7749))
.withIconImage("custom-marker")
pointAnnotationManager.create(pointAnnotation)
Multiple markers:
val locations = listOf(
Point.fromLngLat(-122.4194, 37.7749),
Point.fromLngLat(-122.4094, 37.7849),
Point.fromLngLat(-122.4294, 37.7649)
)
val annotations = locations.map { point ->
PointAnnotationOptions()
.withPoint(point)
.withIconImage("marker")
}
pointAnnotationManager.create(annotations)
Show User Location (Display)
Step 1: Add permissions to AndroidManifest.xml:
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
Step 2: Request permissions and show location:
// Request permissions first (use ActivityResultContracts)
// Show location puck
mapView.location.updateSettings {
enabled = true
puckBearingEnabled = true
}
Performance Best Practices
Reuse Annotation Managers
// Don't create new managers repeatedly
// val manager = mapView.annotations.createPointAnnotationManager() // each call
// Create once, reuse
val pointAnnotationManager = mapView.annotations.createPointAnnotationManager()
fun updateMarkers() {
pointAnnotationManager.deleteAll()
pointAnnotationManager.create(markers)
}
Batch Annotation Updates
// Create all at once
pointAnnotationManager.create(allAnnotations)
// Don't create one by one in a loop
Lifecycle Management
// Always call lifecycle methods
override fun onStart() {
super.onStart()
mapView.onStart()
}
override fun onStop() {
super.onStop()
mapView.onStop()
}
override fun onDestroy() {
super.onDestroy()
mapView.onDestroy()
}
Use Standard Style
// Standard style is optimized and recommended
Style.STANDARD
// Use other styles only when needed for specific use cases
Style.STANDARD_SATELLITE // Satellite imagery
Troubleshooting
Map Not Displaying
Check:
- Token in
mapbox_access_token.xml - Token is valid (test at mapbox.com)
- Maven repository configured
- Dependency added correctly
- Internet permission in manifest
Style Not Loading
mapView.mapboxMap.subscribeStyleLoaded { _ ->
Log.d("Map", "Style loaded successfully")
// Add layers and sources here
}
Performance Issues
- Use
Style.STANDARD(recommended and optimized) - Limit visible annotations to viewport
- Reuse annotation managers
- Avoid frequent style reloads
- Call lifecycle methods (onStart, onStop, onDestroy)
- Batch annotation updates
Reference Files
Load these references when you need detailed patterns for specific topics:
references/compose.md-- Jetpack Compose: dependencies, token setup, MapboxMap, annotations with click, GeoJSON, MapEffectreferences/annotations.md-- Circle, Polyline, and Polygon annotation patternsreferences/location-tracking.md-- Camera follow user location + get current location oncereferences/custom-data.md-- GeoJSON sources and layers: lines, polygons, points, update/removereferences/camera-styles.md-- Camera control (set, animate, fit) + map styles (built-in and custom)references/interactions.md-- Featureset interactions, custom layer taps, long press, gestures
Additional Resources
FAQ
What does the mapbox-android-patterns skill do?
Official integration patterns for Mapbox Maps SDK on Android. Covers installation, adding markers, user location, custom data, styles, camera control, and featureset interactions. Based on official Mapbox documentation.
How do I install mapbox-android-patterns?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/mapbox/mapbox-agent-skills --skill mapbox-android-patterns in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/mapbox-android-patterns/ (personal) or .claude/skills/mapbox-android-patterns/ (project).
Which AI agents can use mapbox-android-patterns?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is mapbox-android-patterns safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains mapbox-android-patterns?
It is published by mapbox in mapbox/mapbox-agent-skills, and it is an official skill from the maker of the technology it covers. It has 1,439 recorded installs.
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