How to display layout in Jetpack Navigation when using Compose?

Question

I started using Jetpack Compose and I'm very happy with it. I replaced a couple of layouts that where defined in xml by a @Composable function.

When I went back to my Navigation-xml I noticed that the preview inside every screen is done with tools:layout property. And property reference to a layout in xml. Not to an @Composable function.

Is there already a way to reference to a @Composable function from tools:layout in a Navigation xml so that the preview of my entire flow will be visible?

Navigation does not support Compose. When it does, I expect that it will be via the Kotlin DSL, not the XML navigation resource. — CommonsWare
– CommonsWare, Commented Sep 11, 2020 at 10:57
seems like this is still unavoidable because even google sample github.com/android/sunflower still has the same issue in class tools:layout="@layout/fragment_plant_detail"> which is @composable and there is no solution yet. — Min2
– Min2, Commented Oct 27, 2022 at 22:28

cipher010 · Accepted Answer · 2025-11-25 00:22:51Z

Jetpack Compose uses Navigation Compose, which replaces XML navigation graphs with a Kotlin DSL.

Add the dependency (if not already present)

implementation "androidx.navigation:navigation-compose:2.7.6"

Replace XML navigation with Compose navigation

@Composable
fun MyApp() {
    val navController = rememberNavController()
    NavHost(navController, startDestination = "home") {
        composable("home") { HomeScreen() }
        composable("details") { DetailsScreen() }
    }
}

@Composable
fun HomeScreen() {
    // Your Compose UI here
    Text("Home")
}


@Preview
@Composable
fun HomeScreenPreview() {
    HomeScreen()
}

.

Migration tip: If you were using <fragment> in XML, switch entirely to NavHost + composable in Compose. The two systems (XML navigation + Compose) don't interoperate for previews. Stick to Navigation Compose's Kotlin-first approach.

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