compose-multiplatform-patterns

Compose Multiplatform Patterns

Patterns for building shared UI across Android, iOS, Desktop, and Web using Compose Multiplatform and Jetpack Compose. Covers state management, navigation, theming, and performance.

When to Use

• Building Compose UI (Jetpack Compose or Compose Multiplatform)
• Managing UI state with ViewModels and Compose state
• Implementing navigation in KMP or Android projects
• Designing reusable composables and design systems
• Optimizing recomposition and rendering performance

State Management

ViewModel + Single State Object

Use a single data class for screen state. Expose it as StateFlow and collect in Compose:

data class ItemListState(
    val items: List<Item> = emptyList(),
    val isLoading: Boolean = false,
    val error: String? = null,
    val searchQuery: String = ""
)

class ItemListViewModel(
    private val getItems: GetItemsUseCase
) : ViewModel() {
    private val _state = MutableStateFlow(ItemListState())
    val state: StateFlow<ItemListState> = _state.asStateFlow()

    fun onSearch(query: String) {
        _state.update { it.copy(searchQuery = query) }
        loadItems(query)
    }

    private fun loadItems(query: String) {
        viewModelScope.launch {
            _state.update { it.copy(isLoading = true) }
            getItems(query).fold(
                onSuccess = { items -> _state.update { it.copy(items = items, isLoading = false) } },
                onFailure = { e -> _state.update { it.copy(error = e.message, isLoading = false) } }
            )
        }
    }
}

Collecting State in Compose

@Composable
fun ItemListScreen(viewModel: ItemListViewModel = koinViewModel()) {
    val state by viewModel.state.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()

    ItemListContent(
        state = state,
        onSearch = viewModel::onSearch
    )
}

@Composable
private fun ItemListContent(
    state: ItemListState,
    onSearch: (String) -> Unit
) {
    // Stateless composable — easy to preview and test
}