kotlin-tooling-java-to-kotlin

SKILL.md

Java to Kotlin Conversion

Convert Java source files to idiomatic Kotlin using a disciplined 4-step conversion
methodology with 5 invariants checked at each step. Supports framework-aware conversion
that handles annotation site targets, library idioms, and API preservation.

Workflow
digraph j2k_workflow {
  rankdir=TB;
  "User specifies files" -> "Step 0: Scan & Detect";
  "Step 0: Scan & Detect" -> "Load framework guides";
  "Load framework guides" -> "Step 1: Convert";
  "Step 1: Convert" -> "Step 2: Write .kt";
  "Step 2: Write .kt" -> "Step 3: Git rename";
  "Step 3: Git rename" -> "Step 4: Verify";
  "Step 4: Verify" -> "Next file?" [label="pass"];
  "Step 4: Verify" -> "Fix issues" [label="fail"];
  "Fix issues" -> "Step 1: Convert";
  "Next file?" -> "Step 0: Scan & Detect" [label="batch: yes"];
  "Next file?" -> "Done" [label="no more files"];
}

Step 0: Scan & Detect Frameworks

Before converting, scan the Java file's import statements to detect which frameworks
are in use. Load ONLY the matching framework reference files to keep context focused.

Framework Detection Table

Import prefix
Framework guide

org.springframework.*
SPRING.md

lombok.*
LOMBOK.md

javax.persistence.*, jakarta.persistence.*, org.hibernate.*
HIBERNATE.md

com.fasterxml.jackson.*
JACKSON.md

io.micronaut.*
MICRONAUT.md

io.quarkus.*, javax.enterprise.*, jakarta.enterprise.*
QUARKUS.md

dagger.*, dagger.hilt.*
DAGGER-HILT.md

io.reactivex.*, rx.*
RXJAVA.md

org.junit.*, org.testng.*
JUNIT.md

com.google.inject.*
GUICE.md

retrofit2.*, okhttp3.*
RETROFIT.md

org.mockito.*
MOCKITO.md

If javax.inject.* is detected, check for Dagger/Hilt vs Guice by looking for other
imports from those frameworks. If ambiguous, load both guides.

Step 1: Convert

Apply the conversion methodology from CONVERSION-METHODOLOGY.md.

This is a 4-step chain-of-thought process:

Faithful 1:1 translation — exact semantics preserved

Nullability & mutability audit — val/var, nullable types

Collection type conversion — Java mutable → Kotlin types

Idiomatic transformations — properties, string templates, lambdas

Five invariants are checked after each step. If any invariant is violated, revert
to the previous step and redo.

Apply any loaded framework-specific guidance during step 4 (idiomatic transformations).

Step 2: Write Output

Write the converted Kotlin code to a .kt file with the same name as the original
Java file, in the same directory.

Step 3: Preserve Git History

To preserve git blame history, use a two-phase approach:

# Phase 1: Rename (creates rename tracking)
git mv src/main/java/com/example/Foo.java src/main/kotlin/com/example/Foo.kt
git commit -m "Rename Foo.java to Foo.kt"

# Phase 2: Replace content (tracked as modification, not new file)
# Write the converted Kotlin content to Foo.kt
git commit -m "Convert Foo from Java to Kotlin"

If the project keeps Java and Kotlin in the same source root (e.g., src/main/java/),
rename in place:

git mv src/main/java/com/example/Foo.java src/main/java/com/example/Foo.kt

If the project does not use Git, simply write the .kt file and delete the .java file.

Step 4: Verify

After conversion, verify using checklist.md:

Attempt to compile the converted file

Run existing tests

Check annotation site targets

Confirm no behavioral changes

Batch Conversion

When converting multiple files (a directory or package):

List all .java files in the target scope

Sort by dependency order — convert leaf dependencies first (files that don't
import other files in the conversion set), then work up to files that depend on them

Convert one file at a time — apply the full workflow (steps 0-4) for each

Track progress — report which files are done, which remain

Handle cross-references — after converting a file, update imports in other Java
files if needed (e.g., if a class moved packages)

For large batches, consider converting in packages (bottom-up from leaf packages).

Common Pitfalls

See KNOWN-ISSUES.md for:

Kotlin keyword conflicts (when, in, is, object)

SAM conversion ambiguity

Platform types from Java interop

@JvmStatic / @JvmField / @JvmOverloads usage

Checked exceptions and @Throws

Wildcard generics → Kotlin variance