# Gradle distribution-specific dependencies

version 9.6.1-20260625021438+0000

Gradle provides special dependency notations for projects that build Gradle plugins or tools that integrate with Gradle.

Using these dependencies ensures compatibility with Gradle’s internal APIs while keeping plugin and build logic development streamlined.

## Gradle API dependency

You can declare a dependency on the API of the current version of Gradle by using the `DependencyHandler.gradleApi()` method. This is useful when you are developing custom Gradle tasks or plugins:

build.gradle.kts

    dependencies {
        implementation(gradleApi())
    }

build.gradle

    dependencies {
        implementation gradleApi()
    }

## Gradle TestKit dependency

You can declare a dependency on the `TestKit` API of the current version of Gradle by using the `DependencyHandler.gradleTestKit()` method. This is useful for writing and executing functional tests for Gradle plugins and build scripts:

build.gradle.kts

    dependencies {
        testImplementation(gradleTestKit())
    }

build.gradle

    dependencies {
        testImplementation gradleTestKit()
    }

The TestKit chapter explains the use of `TestKit` by example.

## Local Groovy dependency

You can declare a dependency on the Groovy that is distributed with Gradle by using the `DependencyHandler.localGroovy()` method. This is useful when you are developing custom Gradle tasks or plugins in Groovy:

build.gradle.kts

    dependencies {
        implementation(localGroovy())
    }

build.gradle

    dependencies {
        implementation localGroovy()
    }