Build fails when key.properties is missing (null cast error in build.gradle.kts)

[Shweta-281]

🐛 Describe the bug

🐛 Problem

Running the project using flutter run fails with the following error:
null cannot be cast to non-null type kotlin.String

The issue occurs in android/app/build.gradle.kts when accessing keystore properties like:

keyAlias = keystoreProperties["keyAlias"] as String

If key.properties file is not present (which is expected for new contributors), these values become null and cause a crash.

Expected Behavior:

The project should run successfully without requiring key.properties, especially for debug builds.

Suggested Fix:

- Safely handle null values in keystoreProperties
- OR use debug signing config when key.properties is missing
- Add key.properties.example for contributor guidance

Additional Context:

This issue affects new contributors trying to set up the project locally and creates unnecessary friction.

[github-actions]

👋 Hello @Shweta-281!
Thank you for opening this issue. Our team will review it soon. 🚀

• If you can, please provide more details like steps to reproduce, expected vs. actual behavior, and screenshots (if applicable). 📌

We appreciate your contribution! 💡

[Mayank4352]

Hey @Shweta-281, you're encountering this issue as you don't have the Release keys for the app, the contributors don't need them.
Kindly build the app in debug mode
If you're still facing this issue, I'd like you to make those fields nullable( Alias, key password and store password).
Kindly close the PR, if this helps