Explicit API Mode

The explicitApi property enables Kotlin's Explicit API mode, which enforces visibility modifiers and return type declarations on all public API members.

Default

explicitApi is enabled by default (true) in Kreate.

Configuration

kreate {
    platform {
        explicitApi = true  // default
    }
}

To disable it for application modules or internal projects:

kreate {
    platform {
        explicitApi = false
    }
}

What It Enforces

When enabled, the Kotlin compiler will emit errors for any public declaration that is missing:

An explicit visibility modifier (public, internal, private)
An explicit return type on functions and properties

Example

// ❌ Fails with explicitApi = true
fun greet() = "Hello"

// ✅ Correct
public fun greet(): String = "Hello"

25 April 2026