How to build a library system using Kotlin, Compose Multiplatform Desktop, SQLite

Build Solstice Library, a desktop library management remake of Stackhaven with Kotlin, Compose Multiplatform Desktop, SQLite: catalog, members, borrow/return, librarian tools, search, and packaging notes.

  • Difficulty Intermediate
  • Parts 12
  • Stack Kotlin, Compose Multiplatform Desktop, SQLite

How this project works

Solstice Library is the Compose Desktop remake of Stackhaven Library: a desktop library management system with catalog, members, borrow/return, librarian tools, search, and packaging. Each numbered folder in fcc-compose-library is a working app at that stage.

Compose Desktop brings declarative UI to the JVM. State and recomposition map cleanly onto catalog filters and loan lists.

You describe UI as functions of state instead of mutating widgets. SQLite still backs the truth.

The path mirrors Stackhaven on purpose: greeting window, layout shell, validated forms, SQLite models, catalog table, book CRUD, members, login with roles, borrow/return, search, overdue desk, then Gradle package / jpackage packaging notes.

From snapshot 4 onward, seed accounts are ada@stackhaven.test (librarian) and grace@stackhaven.test (member) with password password123.

Open GitHub repo →

Parts in order

Work through the parts in sequence. Each lesson explains the ideas, then points you to a runnable GitHub snapshot.