CLI Command Reference

The zkite CLI is your single tool for project creation, live development, standalone execution, diagnostics, key generation, and production builds.

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zkite new

Creates a fresh project directory with a runnable sample, default settings, styling configuration, and .gitignore.

zkite new <PROJECT_NAME>

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zkite dev

Installs a live development preview on the connected device and watches source files for changes.

zkite dev [OPTIONS]

Flag	Argument	Description
--serial	SERIAL	Explicitly choose target device by adb serial identifier.
--adb	PATH	Custom path to the adb executable.
--port	PORT	Local host development bridge port (default: 8765).
--backend	native	Force native rendering backend.

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zkite run

Compiles a standalone APK, installs it onto the target device, and launches it.

zkite run [OPTIONS]

Flag	Argument	Description
--serial	SERIAL	Target device serial number.
--keystore	PATH	Path to private signing key PEM file.
--no-prune-stdlib	(None)	Include the entire standard library without pruning.
--logs	(None)	Stream Android logcat output in terminal following launch.

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zkite build apk & zkite build aab

Compiles installable APKs or distribution AAB bundles without requiring a connected physical device.

# Build per-architecture APK
zkite build apk --abi arm64-v8a --out dist/

# Build multi-architecture Android App Bundle for Google Play
zkite build aab --abi arm64-v8a --abi x86_64 --keystore release.pem

Flag	Argument	Description
--abi	arm64-v8a | x86_64	Target Android ABI architecture. Repeat --abi to bundle multiple architectures.
--keystore	PATH	Production signing PEM file.
--out	DIRECTORY	Destination directory for output artifacts (default: dist/).
--no-prune-stdlib	(None)	Retain full Python standard library.

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zkite doctor

Runs an automated diagnostic check verifying host Python 3.14, platform architectures, native runtime payloads, and adb connectivity.

zkite doctor

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zkite keygen

Generates an Android release signing key pair.

zkite keygen --out release_key --cn "My App Release Key"

Flag	Argument	Description
--out	BASENAME	Output file base name (creates <BASENAME>.pem and <BASENAME>.p12).
--cn	NAME	Certificate common name / organization identifier.
--password	PASSWORD	Password for the PKCS#12 keystore.