Android terminal app and software distro/run-time
Termux is an Android app that provides a terminal emulator and a GNU/Linux distribution environment with 2000+ packages and executes programs natively on Android host OS/kernel, without any emulation or containerisation. It allows users to locally do most things that can be done on a Linux PC, like program in many languages, use text editors/IDEs, backup files, host websites and servers, and even run a full linux desktop interface.
Under the NGI Mobifree grant the following three improvements to Termux are planned to be implemented: 1) A termux-core library will be created which allows external projects to use Termux execution environment in their own apps. 2) A new APK Library File (APKLF) execution/packaging design will be implemented so that Termux can comply with security restrictions in Android 10 and newer that prevents apps from executing downloaded code. Currently Termux works by being compiled in backward compatibility mode. 3) Package sources will be patched to read paths from environment variables exported by the app, or compiled package files will be patched at install time, rather than relying on hardcoded paths in the package files to Termux rootfs.
Run by Termux
This project was funded through theNGI Mobifree Fund, a fund established byNLnet with financial support from the European Commission'sNext Generation Internet programme under the aegis ofDG Communications Networks, Content and Technology. TheNGI Mobifree R&D programme is part ofHorizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No.101135795.