function to use gradle wrapper if it exists, else gradle

gw

# Simply add this to your .bashrc, .zshrc or .whateverrc and re-source it.
# Afterwards you can use `gw` to invoke your local gradle wrapper if it exists.

function gw {
  if [ -x "gradlew" ]; then
    ./gradlew $@
  else
   gradle $@
  fi
}

Might be worth adding a check for $GRADLE_HOME/bin/gradle before using the path to find gradle to give people the option of specifying a gradle installation they want to use as a fall-back.

I don't have a gradle home env variable, but yes it might be worth a shot to do so.