MCPInstall

mapbox-android-patterns

by mapbox OfficialMobile

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.

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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
  1. 01

    Install

    Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.

  2. 02

    Describe the task

    Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads mapbox-android-patterns automatically when relevant.

  3. 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:

  1. Token in mapbox_access_token.xml
  2. Token is valid (test at mapbox.com)
  3. Maven repository configured
  4. Dependency added correctly
  5. 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, MapEffect
  • references/annotations.md -- Circle, Polyline, and Polygon annotation patterns
  • references/location-tracking.md -- Camera follow user location + get current location once
  • references/custom-data.md -- GeoJSON sources and layers: lines, polygons, points, update/remove
  • references/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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