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Section 7: Checking That the Build Setup Works

Your team's custom code goes in the TeamCode module. Before writing any robot code, verify that this module's build configuration matches the 2025–2026 season requirements.

Step 7.1 — Open the TeamCode build.gradle​

In the Project panel on the left side of Android Studio:

TeamCode → build.gradle

Double-click to open it.

Step 7.2 — Verify These Exact Values​

Your build.gradle file must contain the following. If any value differs, correct it now.

android {
    compileSdk 34          // ← Must be 34 for 2025–2026 season

    defaultConfig {
        minSdk 24          // ← Minimum Android API level for Control Hub
        targetSdk 28       // ← Do not increase this; it changes runtime behavior
    }

    compileOptions {
        sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_17   // ← Both lines must say VERSION_17
        targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_17
    }
}

Step 7.3 — Why These Numbers​

compileSdk 34 is the Android API level the SDK was built against for the 2025–2026 season. This number must match the compileSdkVersion declared in the FTC SDK's library AAR metadata, or Gradle will fail with Error C from Section 6.3.

minSdk 24 corresponds to Android 7.0. The Control Hub runs Android 7.1.2. Setting this below 24 has no effect. Setting it above 24 may cause deployment failures on older Expansion Hubs.

targetSdk 28 is deliberately kept at Android 9. Higher values activate Android's stricter runtime permissions and background process limits, which can interfere with the Robot Controller's communication threads.

JavaVersion.VERSION_17 is required because the FTC SDK's compiled class files contain Java 17 bytecode features. Targeting VERSION_11 or lower will cause an UnsupportedClassVersionError when the Control Hub's JVM attempts to load your code.

Step 7.4 — Save and Re-Sync​

After making any changes to build.gradle, save the file and run:

File → Sync Project with Gradle Files

Wait for BUILD SUCCESSFUL.

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