# Getting Started with Compose for Desktop ## What is covered In this tutorial we will create a simple desktop UI application using the Compose UI framework. ## Prerequisites Compose for Desktop can produce applications for macOS, Linux and Windows platforms, and so any of these platforms can be used for this tutorial. The following software has to be preinstalled: * JDK 11 or later * IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition or Ultimate Edition 20.2 or later (other editors could be used, but we assume you are using IntelliJ IDEA in this tutorial) ## Creating a new project Kotlin plugin has Compose new project wizard, but it is possible to create project manually. The recommended way of building Compose for Desktop projects is by using Gradle. JetBrains provides a simple way of building Compose for Desktop projects using a special Gradle plugin. One could clone an existing template for a [desktop](https://github.com/JetBrains/compose-jb/tree/master/templates/desktop-template) or [multiplatform](https://github.com/JetBrains/compose-jb/tree/master/templates/multiplatform-template) application, or create it from scratch. First create a new directory, named `sample`. ```shell script mkdir sample cd sample ``` Create `settings.gradle.kts` as follows: ```kotlin pluginManagement { repositories { gradlePluginPortal() maven("https://maven.pkg.jetbrains.space/public/p/compose/dev") } } ``` Then create `build.gradle.kts` with the following content: ```kotlin import org.jetbrains.compose.compose plugins { kotlin("jvm") version "1.4.0" id("org.jetbrains.compose") version "0.1.0-m1-build62" } repositories { jcenter() maven("https://maven.pkg.jetbrains.space/public/p/compose/dev") } dependencies { implementation(compose.desktop.currentOs) } compose.desktop { application { mainClass = "MainKt" } } ``` Then create `src/main/kotlin/main.kt` and put the following code in there: ```kotlin import androidx.compose.desktop.Window import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Column import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.fillMaxSize import androidx.compose.material.Button import androidx.compose.material.MaterialTheme import androidx.compose.material.Text import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf import androidx.compose.runtime.remember import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier import androidx.compose.ui.unit.IntSize import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp fun main() = Window(title = "Compose for Desktop", size = IntSize(300, 300)) { val count = remember { mutableStateOf(0) } MaterialTheme { Column(Modifier.fillMaxSize(), Arrangement.spacedBy(5.dp)) { Button(modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.CenterHorizontally), onClick = { count.value++ }) { Text(if (count.value == 0) "Hello World" else "Clicked ${count.value}!") } Button(modifier = Modifier.align(Alignment.CenterHorizontally), onClick = { count.value = 0 }) { Text("Reset") } } } } ``` ## Running the project Open `build.gradle.kts` as a project in IntelliJ IDEA. ![New project](screen1.png) After you download the Compose for Desktop dependencies from the Maven repositories your new project is ready to go. Open the Gradle toolbar on the right, and select `sample/Tasks/compose desktop/run`. The first run may take some time, but afterwards the following dialog will be shown: ![Application running](screen2.gif) You can click on the button several times and see that the application reacts and updates the UI.