If you are a Linux user like me and prefer lightweight tools like VS Code over Android Studio, setting up Flutter and the Android SDK can be challenging. As a part-time developer at an ISP, I've faced this process recently on Fedora after reinstalling my PC. Here is a detailed guide to help you get Flutter up and running without the bloat.

Prerequisites

Linux distribution (tested on Fedora and Arch)
Basic knowledge of bash scripting

Step 1: Install JDK

Flutter and the Android SDK require a Java Development Kit (JDK). It is possible to use a JDK version installed using a package manager of your distribution, but I recommend downloading Eclipse Temurin JDK and using it as a local user installation.

You will have to find a JDK version, that is compatible with your Android SDK platform version. I was unable to find a proper compatibility table, but there is a bit of information in the Android docs.

Steps:

Extract the downloaded files and move them to a permanent location, such as ~/.local/share/jdk.

Update your .bashrc file:

.bashrc

VERSION="18.0.2.1+1"

JDK_PATH="$HOME/.local/share/jdk/jdk-$VERSION"

export PATH="$PATH:$JDK_PATH/bin"
export JAVA_HOME="$JDK_PATH"

Reload your shell:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```

Step 2: Install Android SDK Command-Line Tools

Instead of installing Android Studio, download the Command-Line Tools.

Steps:

Extract the tools and move them to ~/.local/share/android-sdk/cmdline-tools/latest (ensure the bin/ inside directory is correctly placed).

Update your .bashrc file:

.bashrc

ANDROID_SDK_PATH="$HOME/.local/share/android-sdk"

export PATH="$PATH:$ANDROID_SDK_PATH/cmdline-tools/latest/bin"
export PATH="$PATH:$ANDROID_SDK_PATH/platform-tools"
export PATH="$PATH:$ANDROID_SDK_PATH/emulator"
export ANDROID_HOME="$ANDROID_SDK_PATH"

Reload your shell:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```

Use the SDK manager to install essential components:

yes | sdkmanager \
  "platform-tools" \
  "emulator" \
  "platforms;android-35" \
  "build-tools;35.0.0" \
  "system-images;android-35;google_apis_playstore;x86_64"

yes | sdkmanager --licenses

You can change the version of the components to the one you need. Also keep in mind, that Flutter can later install other components during builds.

Step 3: Install Flutter SDK

Download the Flutter SDK from the official website.

Steps:

Extract the downloaded SDK to a directory like ~/.local/share/flutter.

Update your .bashrc file:

.bashrc

export PATH="$PATH:$HOME/.local/share/flutter/bin"

Reload your shell:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```

Step 4: Verify Your Installation

Check if Flutter and the Android SDK are correctly set up:
```
flutter doctor
```
Ensure that all dependencies are resolved.

Tips for Development

Use VS Code with the Flutter extension for a lightweight and efficient setup.
Regularly update your tools using flutter upgrade and sdkmanager commands.

By following these steps, you can avoid the bloat of Android Studio and enjoy a streamlined development environment. If you encounter issues, feel free to comment or reach out!