One of the great things about open-source projects is that they don’t need to do everything out of the box. That’s especially important for Code on the Go (CoGo) because it runs on a phone, where storage space is at a premium. CoGo plugins let you install only the features you actually need instead of a massive app full of tools you’ll never use. (For example, if you don’t use Python, you don’t need a Python runtime installed and sitting idle.)
By moving more features into optional plugins, we keep the core CoGo installation light. That’s why we’re converting features like Sketch to UI into a plugin: If you don’t want it, we can save you significant storage space. You can literally build the IDE you want, adding the pieces you need and skipping the rest.
Plugins also let developers take CoGo in directions that we never planned or expected. If you have an unusual or specific need, you can build a plugin for it and share it with the world. That’s the real promise of an open ecosystem, and with this week’s CoGo update, we’re delivering on it in a meaningful way.
The new batch of plugins covers everything from support for new languages and frameworks to utilities that make everyday work easier. You can download all of our plugins at www.appdevforall.org/addons.
Here’s what’s new.
Sketch to UI
The Sketch to UI plugin update lets you draw a rough app layout by hand, take a photo of it, and have CoGo generate working Android XML from the drawing. The original Sketch-to-UI blog post covers the feature in detail, and you can find additional help and reference materials here.
Python/Flask
This plugin adds Python and Flask to CoGo, which many developers have requested. It’s also useful as a demonstration of how new languages and project types can be added to CoGo through the plugin system.
IMPORTANT: At the time of release, this plugin has only been minimally tested, so use it at your own risk.
Material Icons Repository
Community member Omar Haidar created a plugin that integrates a Material icons repository directly into CoGo so you can build apps with a polished interface even if you’re working offline
Cotg-NDK
Community member Arman King created a custom, ultra-fast NDK environment to compile C++ projects directly without CMake. This offers a great alternative to our NDK Installer plugin. One of our primary goals is to foster an open, versatile IDE ecosystem, and we are excited to support and celebrate community-driven innovation!
Client Time Tracker
When you are deep in a coding project, the last thing you want to think about is a stopwatch. But, if you’re a contractor, accurate timekeeping and invoicing is mandatory to make sure that you’re paid for your work. The Client Time Tracker plugin automatically tracks your billable coding sessions in Code on the Go based on real-time editor activity. You can configure settings for clients, rates, currencies, and taxes, and generate invoices as PDF, CSV, or Excel files.
Why plugins matter, even if you don’t need them (yet)
Code on the Go is built to run entirely on a phone, which means it has to work for developers with very different needs, in very different places, with very different projects. No single team, no matter how focused, can anticipate all of those needs or build every tool that would be useful. That is why the plugin system matters. It lets those of you who actually run into a problem be the ones who solve it, and then share that solution with everyone else who may have encountered a similar problem. It shifts the power from us to you.
Whether it’s adding specialized framework support, creating custom themes, or tailoring accessibility, the community can build what it needs. The core product, the CoGo IDE, can stay focused and stable, while the broader ecosystem grows around it. This is the real power of open-source: we provide the foundation, and you build the future. We can’t wait to see what you create next. Happy coding!
