I have a RepositoryActual and RepositoryInterface. I want to use RepositoryInterface at all of my call sites, but I want RepositoryActual to be created. Do I need to use a @Provides method, or can I do this with an @Inject annotation? (basically trying to see if I can spare myself having to create a @Module)

You usually want to add an inject annotation to the constructor and use a binds in a module to bind the impl to the interface.

Don't use anvil. And okay... I will try the @Inject on the concrete constructor, and use @Binds in the module.

I really can recommend anvil, it decouples your code and makes dagger so easier to use

I have looked into it, but I am trying to grasp dagger well first. I still have so many issues and "analysis paralysis" when it comes to even just adding simple/commons dependencies.

Then the pro tip is to take a look at the generated code :)