Kotlin Multiplatform Builds Are Getting Faster and Safer

JetBrains is fixing major developer pain points in Kotlin Multiplatform with a new, more reliable compilation scheme for faster, safer builds.

JetBrains is overhauling a core component of its Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) framework, introducing a new compilation scheme designed to improve reliability and performance. According to a post on the official JetBrains Blog, the update directly targets long-standing developer frustrations with the current system. Developers have often encountered situations where the development environment (IDE) and the compiler disagree on whether code is valid, leading to builds that fail unexpectedly. Another common issue involves shared test code accidentally accessing platform-specific functions, creating subtle bugs that are difficult to trace. This foundational change aims to eliminate these inconsistencies, making the KMP development experience significantly more predictable and stable for teams building cross-platform applications.

The new compilation mechanism works by creating a more unified and consistent view of the code across the entire toolchain. Previously, the IDE's code analysis and the actual compiler could operate with slightly different rules, causing the frustrating discrepancies developers experienced. The updated scheme enforces a single, stricter set of rules that both the IDE and compiler will adhere to. This ensures that if code appears correct in the editor, it will also compile successfully. Furthermore, it strengthens the boundaries between shared code and platform-specific modules. By preventing common code from inadvertently calling into, for example, an Android-only or iOS-only part of the project, the compiler can catch potential errors early in the development process instead of during runtime or complex build phases. This shift promotes a cleaner architecture and reduces a significant source of hidden bugs.

This move by JetBrains reflects a broader industry trend focused on maturing cross-platform development tools and enhancing the overall developer experience. As frameworks like KMP, Flutter, and React Native vie for adoption, their success increasingly depends on providing a smooth, predictable, and efficient workflow. Unreliable tooling and "gotcha" moments during compilation are major obstacles to productivity and can deter teams from committing to a technology stack. By addressing these core compilation issues, JetBrains is signaling that Kotlin Multiplatform is moving beyond its experimental phase and becoming a robust, enterprise-ready solution. This focus on foundational stability is a critical step for any framework aiming to power mission-critical applications at scale, positioning KMP as a more formidable competitor in the crowded cross-platform market.

For technology leaders and development teams, the practical takeaway is a significant reduction in project risk and an increase in developer productivity. Adopting Kotlin Multiplatform will become a more straightforward decision, as this update mitigates one of its most cited pain points. Teams already using KMP can look forward to spending less time debugging esoteric build failures and more time shipping features. Looking ahead, the key things to watch will be the rollout plan for this new compilation scheme—whether it will be an opt-in feature initially—and the real-world performance gains reported by the community. This change is not just a minor fix; it is a foundational improvement that could unlock further optimizations and capabilities for the Kotlin Multiplatform ecosystem in the future, making it a more compelling choice for building modern, multi-platform software.

This update directly addresses long-standing developer frustrations with Kotlin Multiplatform. It fixes unpredictable build behavior and inconsistencies, making development smoother. For teams invested in KMP, this means less time debugging build issues and more reliable code across platforms.

A more stable Kotlin Multiplatform framework reduces development friction and costs. Faster, more reliable builds translate to increased developer productivity and a quicker time-to-market for cross-platform applications, strengthening the business case for adopting KMP.