Paul Krill
Editor at Large

JetBrains launches search portal for Kotlin Multiplatform libraries

news
Dec 17, 20242 mins

Klibs.io is an experimental search platform that uses AI-generated metadata to make searches for KMP libraries faster and easier for developers.

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JetBrains has introduced klibs.io, a web service intended to make it easier to find libraries for Kotlin Multiplatform, a project that allows developers to build cross-platform mobile, desktop, and web apps from the same code base.

Now in an alpha state and billed as an experimental search platform for KMP (Kotlin Multiplatform) libraries, klibs.io was introduced December 17. The service enables developers to locate a Kotlin Multiplatform library for a specific purpose that supports selected platforms including the JVM, the Android JVM, WebAssembly, JavaScript, and Kotlin/Native. The website indexes data from Maven Central and GitHub, using AI-generated metadata to enhance search results.

A goal of klibs.io is making it easier to evaluate libraries by offering KMP-related information. Libraries range from the Coil image-loading library for Android to Arrow typed functional programming interfaces to the Kodein dependency retrieval container and even PeopleInSpace, a Kotlin Multiplatform sample project that lists people currently in space. A search engine attached to klibs.io cites more than 1,400 libraries available. Developers will spend less time searching while library authors benefit from increased visibility for their work, JetBrains said. Instructions for adding a library to kilbs.io are available in an FAQ.

Developers can participate in Slack to improve klibs.io. They also can sign up for Kotlin Slack via an application form. The klibs.io website was created by Kotlin developer advocate Ignat Beresnev and the Kotlin web team. Plans call for adding Java/JVM-only libraries at some point. Also eyed for kilbs.io is indexing of Gradle plugins as well as GitLab and Bitbucket support.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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