Android Reverse Engineering Skill — Install & Live Demo

Why use it

Key features

End-to-end workflow: pull APK → unpack → decompile → search → patch → repack → sign
Frida script scaffolding for runtime hooks
Smali patching with checksum-safe repack
Built-in checklists for common targets (cert pinning, root detection)
Pairs with a bin/ toolchain bootstrap

Live Demo

What it looks like in practice

android-reverse-engineering-skill.replay ▶ ready

0/0

Install

Pick your client

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "android-reverse-engineering-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
        "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.

~/.cursor/mcp.json · .cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "android-reverse-engineering-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
        "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.

VS Code → Cline → MCP Servers → Edit

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "android-reverse-engineering-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
        "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "android-reverse-engineering-skill": {
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
        "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.

~/.continue/config.json

{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "android-reverse-engineering-skill",
      "command": "git",
      "args": [
        "clone",
        "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
        "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.

~/.config/zed/settings.json

{
  "context_servers": {
    "android-reverse-engineering-skill": {
      "command": {
        "path": "git",
        "args": [
          "clone",
          "https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill",
          "~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.

claude mcp add android-reverse-engineering-skill -- git clone https://github.com/SimoneAvogadro/android-reverse-engineering-skill ~/.claude/skills/android-reverse-engineering-skill

One-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.

Use Cases

Real-world ways to use Android Reverse Engineering Skill

Bypass cert pinning on a test app for MITM analysis

👤 Security researchers (with permission!) ⏱ ~15 min intermediate

When to use: You need to inspect a Flutter/OkHttp app's traffic and pinning blocks Burp.

Prerequisites

Server/skill installed and authenticated — See repo README

Flow

Identify pinning

Decompile target.apk and find all references to TrustManager / CertificatePinner / Flutter's HttpClient.✓ Copied

→ List of hooks to patch
Patch + Frida

Generate a Frida script that no-ops checkServerTrusted across both Java and Flutter paths.✓ Copied

→ Frida .js + run command

Outcome: Working MITM channel on a test target you own.

Pitfalls

Reversing apps you don't have rights to is illegal in most jurisdictions. The skill assumes you've documented authorization. — Reversing apps you don't have rights to is illegal in most jurisdictions. The skill assumes you've documented authorization.

Cost & Limits

What this costs to run

API quota: See provider docs for rate limits
Tokens per call: Varies by tool
Monetary: See repo README for pricing details
Tip: Cache tool results and avoid repeated identical calls.

Security

Permissions, secrets, blast radius

Credential storage: Use environment variables; never commit secrets

Data egress: Tool calls go to the provider's API as documented

Troubleshooting

Common errors and fixes

apktool fails to unpack

Use the latest apktool (≥2.9). Older versions miss new resource tables.

Verify: apktool --version ≥ 2.9

repack signs but won't install

Use uber-apk-signer with --allow-resign and target the right SDK level.

Verify: adb install -r app-signed.apk

Alternatives

Android Reverse Engineering Skill vs others

Alternative	When to use it instead	Tradeoff
trailofbits/skills	You want broader security skills	More generic; less Android-specific

More

Resources

📖 Read the official README on GitHub

🐙 Browse open issues

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