How to open a .gradle file
Quick, free ways to open Gradle on any system.
A .gradle file is a Gradle Build Script. If double-clicking does nothing, your computer simply does not have an app that reads Gradle yet. Here is how to fix that on each operating system, using free software wherever possible.
Open a .gradle file step by step
- Confirm the file really is a .gradle. Drop it into the WhatFileType file identifier, which reads its signature without uploading anything.
- On Windows, open it with Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA.
- On Mac, use Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA.
- On Linux, try Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA.
- Still stuck? Search for a dedicated Gradle viewer.
Best apps to open .gradle files
Windows
- Android Studio
- IntelliJ IDEA
- VS Code
macOS
- Android Studio
- IntelliJ IDEA
- VS Code
Linux
- Android Studio
- IntelliJ IDEA
- VS Code
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Before you open it: Caution. A build script runs code during a build and can download dependencies. Review build files from untrusted projects before building them.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I open my .gradle file?
Almost always because no installed app understands Gradle. Install one of the apps above, or convert the file to a format your existing software already reads.
How do I open a .gradle file?
Open the project in Android Studio or IntelliJ IDEA, which edit and run Gradle files. Any text editor shows the source.
What is the difference between build.gradle and build.gradle.kts?
Both are Gradle build scripts. build.gradle uses Groovy; build.gradle.kts uses Kotlin, which gives better editor support and type checking.