The Ultimate Termux Commands List for Android 2026

The Ultimate Termux Commands List for Android (2026)

Termux transforms your Android device into a powerful Linux environment without requiring root access. Whether you're a developer, security enthusiast, or just curious about command-line interfaces, this comprehensive termux commands list for Android will help you harness the full potential of your mobile device. From basic file operations to advanced networking tools, we've organized everything you need to know about Termux commands in one convenient reference.

What is Termux and Why Use It?

Termux terminal interface running on an Android smartphone showing basic termux commands list for android

Termux running on Android with basic commands

Termux is a terminal emulator and Linux environment app that runs directly on your Android device without rooting. It provides a command-line interface similar to what you'd find on Linux or macOS systems, allowing you to run powerful tools directly from your pocket. With Termux, you can write Python scripts, manage servers, perform network diagnostics, and even run basic web servers—all from your smartphone or tablet.

Unlike other terminal apps that merely provide SSH access to remote servers, Termux creates a local Linux environment with its own file system and package manager. This means you can install and run thousands of Linux packages directly on your Android device, making it an invaluable tool for developers, system administrators, and tech enthusiasts on the go.

Ready to Start Using Termux?

Download the latest version from F-Droid for the best experience. The Google Play Store version is outdated and no longer maintained.

Download Termux from F-Droid

Getting Started with Termux

Before diving into our termux commands list for Android, let's set up your environment properly. After installing Termux from F-Droid, follow these initial steps to ensure everything is up-to-date and working correctly.

Initial setup of Termux showing package updates and basic configuration

Initial Termux setup with package updates

Essential First-Time Setup Commands

Command	Description	Example
pkg update	Updates package lists	pkg update
pkg upgrade	Upgrades all installed packages	pkg upgrade
termux-setup-storage	Sets up access to device storage	termux-setup-storage
pkg install [package]	Installs a specific package	pkg install python

After running these commands, your Termux environment will be ready for more advanced operations. Remember to run pkg update && pkg upgrade regularly to keep your packages current and secure.

Basic Termux Commands Every User Should Know

Let's start with the fundamental commands that form the backbone of any termux commands list for Android. These basic operations will help you navigate and manage your Termux environment efficiently.

Basic Termux commands being executed showing file navigation and system information

Basic file navigation and system commands in Termux

Navigation and File Management

ls - List directory contents (try ls -la for detailed view)
cd [directory] - Change directory (cd ~ returns to home)
pwd - Print working directory (shows current location)
mkdir [name] - Create a new directory
touch [filename] - Create a new empty file
cp [source] [destination] - Copy files or directories
mv [source] [destination] - Move or rename files
rm [file] - Remove files (use rm -r for directories)

Text Viewing and Editing

cat [file] - Display file contents
more [file] - View file contents one screen at a time
nano [file] - Simple text editor (beginner-friendly)
vim [file] - Advanced text editor (steeper learning curve)
grep [pattern] [file] - Search for patterns in files

System Information

uname -a - Display system information
df -h - Show disk usage in human-readable format
free -h - Display memory usage
top - View running processes and system resources
ps - List running processes

Master the Basics First

Practice these fundamental commands until they become second nature. They form the foundation for everything else you'll do in Termux.

Continue to Package Management

Package Management in Termux

One of Termux's most powerful features is its package management system, which allows you to install thousands of Linux tools and applications. Understanding how to manage packages is essential for expanding Termux's capabilities.

Package installation process in Termux showing pkg commands

Package management operations in Termux

Essential Package Commands

Command	Description	Example
pkg search [keyword]	Search for packages by keyword	pkg search python
pkg install [package]	Install a specific package	pkg install git
pkg uninstall [package]	Remove an installed package	pkg uninstall nano
pkg list-installed	List all installed packages	pkg list-installed
pkg list-all	List all available packages	pkg list-all
pkg show [package]	Show detailed information about a package	pkg show python

Additional Repositories

Expand your available packages by adding extra repositories:

pkg install x11-repo - X11 packages for GUI applications
pkg install game-repo - Games and entertainment
pkg install science-repo - Scientific tools and libraries
pkg install unstable-repo - Cutting-edge packages (may be unstable)
pkg install root-repo - Tools that work better with root access

Pro Tip: Always run pkg update after adding a new repository to refresh your package lists.

Networking Tools and Commands

Termux includes powerful networking capabilities that allow you to analyze, troubleshoot, and interact with networks directly from your Android device. These commands are particularly useful for network administrators and security professionals.

Network diagnostics being performed in Termux showing ping and other network commands

Network diagnostics in Termux

Network Diagnostic Commands

ping [host] - Test connectivity to a host
ip addr - Show network interfaces and addresses
netstat - Display network connections (install with pkg install net-tools)
traceroute [host] - Trace the route to a host (install with pkg install traceroute)
dig [domain] - DNS lookup utility (install with pkg install dnsutils)
whois [domain] - Domain information lookup (install with pkg install whois)

Advanced Networking Tools

Install these powerful networking tools to expand your capabilities:

Nmap

Network scanning and security auditing:

pkg install nmap
nmap -sV [target]

Wireshark

Network protocol analyzer (requires root):

pkg install root-repo
pkg install tshark
tshark -i [interface]

Remote Connectivity

ssh [user]@[host] - Connect to remote servers (pkg install openssh)
scp [file] [user]@[host]:[path] - Securely copy files to remote servers
wget [url] - Download files from the web (pkg install wget)
curl [url] - Transfer data from or to a server (pkg install curl)

Enhance Your Networking Toolkit

Install these essential networking tools to transform your Android device into a portable network diagnostics station.

Install Network Tools Now

Development and Programming in Termux

Termux isn't just for system administration—it's also a powerful development environment. You can write, test, and run code in various programming languages directly on your Android device.

Python programming in Termux

Programming Languages

Language	Installation Command	Basic Usage
Python	pkg install python	python script.py
Node.js	pkg install nodejs	node script.js
Ruby	pkg install ruby	ruby script.rb
PHP	pkg install php	php script.php
Go	pkg install golang	go run script.go
C/C++	pkg install clang	clang file.c -o program

Version Control with Git

Manage your code repositories directly from Termux:

pkg install git - Install Git
git clone [repository-url] - Clone a repository
git pull - Update your local repository
git add [file] - Stage changes
git commit -m "[message]" - Commit changes
git push - Push changes to remote repository

Git operations in Termux

Web Development

Set up a local web server for testing:

pkg install php
mkdir www
cd www
echo '<?php phpinfo(); ?>' > index.php
php -S localhost:8080

Now you can access your web server at http://localhost:8080 in your device's browser.

Process Management Commands

Managing processes effectively is crucial for maintaining system performance and running background tasks. Here are the essential process management commands for your termux commands list for Android.

Process management in Termux showing running processes and resource usage

Process monitoring and management in Termux

Viewing and Monitoring Processes

ps - List running processes
ps aux - Detailed list of all processes
top - Dynamic real-time view of processes
htop - Interactive process viewer (pkg install htop)

Process Control

kill [PID] - Terminate a process by its ID
killall [name] - Kill processes by name
pkill [pattern] - Kill processes matching a pattern
Ctrl+C - Interrupt the current foreground process
Ctrl+Z - Suspend the current foreground process

Background Processing

command & - Run a command in the background
bg - Resume suspended jobs in the background
fg - Bring background job to foreground
jobs - List background jobs
nohup command & - Run command immune to hangups

Pro Tip: For long-running processes, consider using tmux (pkg install tmux) to create persistent terminal sessions that continue running even if you close Termux.

Advanced Termux Usage and Customization

Take your Termux experience to the next level with these advanced techniques and customizations. These tips will help you create a more efficient and personalized environment.

Customized Termux interface with custom prompt and color scheme

Customized Termux interface with personalized prompt and color scheme

Customizing Your Shell

Install and configure alternative shells:

pkg install zsh
chsh -s zsh
sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Keyboard Shortcuts and Extra Keys

Termux provides special keyboard shortcuts using the Volume buttons:

Volume Up + E - Escape key
Volume Up + T - Tab key
Volume Up + 1-9 - F1-F9 keys
Volume Up + 0 - F10 key
Volume Up + W - Up arrow key
Volume Up + A - Left arrow key
Volume Up + S - Down arrow key
Volume Up + D - Right arrow key

Add extra keyboard keys by creating or editing ~/.termux/termux.properties:

mkdir -p ~/.termux
echo "extra-keys = [['ESC','/','-','HOME','UP','END','PGUP'],['TAB','CTRL','ALT','LEFT','DOWN','RIGHT','PGDN']]" > ~/.termux/termux.properties
termux-reload-settings

Running Graphical Applications

Install a VNC server to run GUI applications:

pkg install x11-repo
pkg install tigervnc
vncserver -localhost
# Connect with a VNC client using localhost:5901

GUI application running in Termux through VNC

Running a graphical application in Termux through VNC

Creating Aliases for Common Commands

Add these to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc file:

alias ll='ls -la'
alias update='pkg update && pkg upgrade'
alias py='python'
alias cls='clear'
alias ..='cd ..'
alias ...='cd ../..'

Ready for Advanced Termux Usage?

Explore more advanced configurations and setups to customize your Termux experience.

Discover Advanced Techniques

Troubleshooting Common Termux Issues

Even experienced users encounter issues with Termux occasionally. Here are solutions to the most common problems you might face.

Troubleshooting common errors in Termux

Package Installation Failures

Problem: "Repository is under maintenance or down"

Solution: Try changing the mirror:

termux-change-repo

Select a different mirror and try again.

Permission Denied Errors

Problem: "Permission denied" when running scripts

Solution: Make the script executable:

chmod +x script.sh

Remember that Termux has limited access to system areas without root.

Storage Access Issues

Problem: Cannot access device storage

Solution: Run the storage setup command and grant permissions:

termux-setup-storage

If that doesn't work, check Android permissions for Termux in Settings.

Command Not Found Errors

Problem: "Command not found" for installed packages

Solution: Check your PATH variable:

echo $PATH

If needed, add the correct path to your .bashrc or .zshrc file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Termux safe to use on my Android phone?

Yes, Termux is safe to use. It runs in a sandboxed environment that prevents it from accessing sensitive system areas without explicit permissions. All commands run within Termux's own file system by default, not your Android system files. However, as with any tool that provides command-line access, you should be careful about which commands you run, especially if copied from untrusted sources.

Do I need to root my device to use Termux?

No, Termux is specifically designed to work without root access. Most commands and packages work perfectly fine on non-rooted devices. However, some advanced system operations and certain security tools may require root access to function fully. For basic to intermediate usage, including programming, web development, and most networking tools, root access is not necessary.

How do I install packages that aren't in the basic repository?

You can install packages from additional repositories by first adding those repositories to Termux. Common additional repositories include x11-repo, game-repo, and science-repo. Install them with commands like pkg install x11-repo, then run pkg update to refresh your package lists. For packages not available in any repository, you may need to compile them from source or use alternative installation methods like pip for Python packages or npm for Node.js packages.

Can I run Python scripts or host a web server with Termux?

Yes, Termux fully supports Python and web servers. Install Python with pkg install python, then run scripts with python script.py. For web servers, you can install Apache, Nginx, or use Python's built-in server with python -m http.server 8080. PHP's built-in server is also available with php -S localhost:8080. These servers are accessible from your device's browser at localhost:8080 or from other devices on the same network using your device's IP address.

How do I fix 'Permission denied' errors?

Permission denied errors usually occur when trying to execute scripts or access certain files. For scripts, make them executable with chmod +x script.sh. For storage access issues, run termux-setup-storage and grant the requested permissions. Remember that Termux has limited access to system areas without root. If you're trying to access or modify system files, you'll need root access, which requires a rooted device and additional setup.

Where can I find more termux commands for Android?

Beyond this termux commands list for Android, you can explore more commands by using the built-in help system. Try man [command] or [command] --help to learn about specific commands. The Termux wiki and GitHub repository are excellent resources for advanced usage. Additionally, most Linux command references apply to Termux since it uses standard Linux tools. For package-specific commands, check the documentation of those packages after installation.

Conclusion

Advanced Termux usage showing multiple terminal sessions with various tools running

Harnessing the full power of Termux on Android

This comprehensive termux commands list for Android has covered everything from basic operations to advanced techniques, giving you the tools to transform your Android device into a powerful command-line workstation. Termux bridges the gap between mobile convenience and desktop power, allowing you to perform complex tasks directly from your pocket.

Whether you're a developer writing code on the go, a system administrator managing servers remotely, or simply a tech enthusiast exploring the capabilities of your Android device, Termux offers an unparalleled level of functionality without requiring root access.

Remember to keep your Termux installation updated with regular pkg update && pkg upgrade commands, and don't hesitate to explore new packages and tools as your skills grow. The command line may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, it becomes an incredibly efficient and powerful way to interact with your device.

Ready to Master Termux?

Download Termux from F-Droid and start exploring the power of Linux on your Android device today.

Get Termux Now