flutter-native

---
name: flutter-native
description: Build type-safe native platform integrations using MethodChannels, EventChannels, and Pigeon. Use when communicating with Android/iOS native code, implementing federated plugins, or bridging platform-specific APIs.
license: MIT
---

# Native Platform Interoperability

Developing Flutter apps often requires direct communication with the underlying native platform (Android/iOS). This skill covers the standards for maintainable and type-safe interoperability.

## 1. MethodChannels (One-shot)

Use `MethodChannel` for standard request-response patterns between Dart and Native.

### Dart Standard
- Use a unique domain-style channel name.
- ALWAYS wrap calls in a try-catch for `PlatformException`.

```dart
static const _channel = MethodChannel('com.example.app/device_info');

Future<String?> getDeviceOS() async {
  try {
    return await _channel.invokeMethod<String>('getOS');
  } on PlatformException catch (e) {
    AppLogger.error('Failed to get OS', error: e);
    return null;
  }
}
```

## 2. EventChannels (Streams)

Use `EventChannel` for continuous data flow (e.g., sensor data, connectivity).

### Implementation
- Native side MUST handle `onListen` and `onCancel`.
- Dart side MUST dispose the subscription to prevent leaks.

## 3. Type Safety with Pigeon

For complex APIs, avoid manual string-based keys. Use **Pigeon** to generate type-safe interfaces.

## 4. Platform-Specific Directory Structure

Organize native code within the relevant feature if possible, or use a dedicated `plugins/` directory for shared logic.

## 5. Swift Package Manager (SPM) Defaults
*Introduced in Flutter 3.44*
- For iOS/macOS native integrations, SPM is the default package manager. It replaces CocoaPods entirely for new configurations.
- Declare Swift Packages directly in your plugin's `pubspec.yaml` using the `swift_packages` field, or configure them directly via Xcode workspaces (see [flutter-spm](file:///Users/dhruvanbhalara/Desktop/Github%20Projects/skills/skills/flutter/flutter-spm/SKILL.md)).

## 6. Platform View Overhaul
*Introduced in Flutter 3.44*
- Embedded native views (such as maps, web views, cameras) leverage an overhauled hybrid composition rendering pipeline to minimize dropped frames and eliminate UI compositing performance issues.

## 7. Federated Plugins

If the logic is reusable across multiple apps:
- Split implementation into `_platform_interface`, `_android`, `_ios`, and `_web` packages.
- Provide a single entry point for users.