Acode gives you the same proot-based Alpine Linux terminal as Termux, plus a professional code editor, AI coding agents, Git integration, and 250+ plugins. One app. No switching.
Termux is the most popular Linux terminal for Android. It gives you bash, apk, and access to thousands of packages. But Termux has one major limitation: it has no code editor.
When you're coding in Termux, you're stuck with terminal-based editors like Vim or Nano. On a touchscreen phone, Vim is painful. There's no syntax highlighting for web languages. No project file browser. No multi-file tabs.
Every Termux user eventually hits the same wall: you need to edit code, but you can't do it comfortably. You end up installing a separate code editor app and constantly switching between Termux (for the terminal) and another app (for editing).
There's been no app that combines the terminal power of Termux with a real modern code editor. That's exactly what Acode was built to solve.
Acode uses the same proot-based Alpine Linux as Termux. You get the same apk package manager, the same access to Alpine's repository, the same terminal commands. Nothing changes in your terminal workflow.
But Acode adds a professional code editor based on Ace Editor v1.22.0 with syntax highlighting for 100+ languages, multi-file tabs, command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), file search (Ctrl+P), keyboard shortcuts, and live HTML preview.
Use the acode CLI to connect the terminal and editor. Run acode . in the terminal to open your current folder in the editor. Run acode file.js to open a specific file. The terminal and editor are connected, not separate apps.
And because Acode has a real terminal, you can run AI coding agents such as Claude Code, Codex, and OpenCode right in the terminal, then view and edit AI-generated files in the editor. Termux can't do this.
Install Acode: Get Acode from Google Play or F-Droid. It's free.
Set Up the Terminal: Tap the terminal icon. Acode downloads and configures Alpine Linux, the same as Termux. Takes about a minute.
Install Your Tools: Run apk update && apk add nodejs npm git python3 py3-pip to get your development environment set up. Install whatever you had in Termux.
Copy Your Projects: Use Git to clone your repos: git clone https://github.com/you/project.git. Or copy files from Termux's storage to Acode's workspace.
Configure Your Shell: Customize Acode's /initrc file just like you configured Termux's .bashrc. Aliases, environment variables, and prompt customization are supported.
Migrate Gradually: You can keep Termux installed and use both. Use Termux for your familiar terminal-only workflows and Acode for projects that benefit from the editor. Many developers use both.
You keep the Alpine Linux terminal you know. You gain a professional editor with syntax highlighting, multi-file tabs, keyboard shortcuts, and project management. Keep your tools and files in the same app.
The acode command opens files and folders from the terminal into Acode's editor. Navigate with ls and cd, open with acode file.js. Keep the terminal and editor in the same app.
Run Claude Code, Codex, and OpenCode in Acode's terminal, then edit the AI-generated output in the editor. Termux can run AI agents but has no editor to handle the output.
Extend Acode with plugins for language support, themes, AI assistants, Git GUIs, and more. Termux uses packages for tools but has no plugin system for editor features.
Edit HTML/CSS/JS with live preview. Debug with JavaScript console. Run build tools like webpack, vite, and npm scripts. Full web dev environment, something Termux alone can't provide.
Stop switching between Termux and a separate code editor. Acode has both. Less context switching, fewer taps, more productivity.
| Feature | Acode | Termux |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Terminal | Alpine Linux (proot) | Alpine Linux (proot) |
| apk Package Manager | Full access | Full access |
| Code Editor | Professional (100+ languages) | Vim/Nano only |
| Syntax Highlighting | 100+ languages | Terminal-only |
| Multi-File Tabs | Yes | No |
| Project File Browser | Built-in | ls/tree only |
| AI Coding Agents | Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode | Can run them |
| Editor for AI Output | Full syntax-aware editor | Terminal editors only |
| Live HTML Preview | In-app browser | No |
| JavaScript Console | Interactive debugger | Node.js REPL only |
| Git Integration | CLI + GUI plugins | CLI only |
| FTP/SFTP Client | Built-in | CLI tools only |
| SSH Client | Plugin + terminal | Terminal only |
| Plugins | 250+ plugins | Package manager only |
| Command Palette | Ctrl+Shift+P | No |
| File Search | Ctrl+P | find/grep only |
| Open Source | MIT License | GPL 3.0 |
| Price | Free | Free |
Yes. Both use proot-based Alpine Linux with the apk package manager. Use a bash shell, a customizable prompt, and standard Linux commands. If it works in Termux, it works in Acode.
You can manually copy configuration files (like .bashrc aliases) to Acode's /initrc file. Both environments use the same Alpine Linux base, so configurations are compatible.
Acode uses Alpine Linux's apk repository, which contains thousands of packages. Most tools available in Termux are also available in Acode. Check with apk search <package>.
Switching between two apps breaks your workflow. Acode's acode CLI command lets you open files from terminal to editor instantly. The integration saves time and cognitive load.
Both use the same proot technology, so terminal performance is similar. Acode adds editor features that use additional resources but are optimized for Android.
Yes! Acode has an open plugin system. Visit docs.acode.app for plugin development documentation. Plugins are written in JavaScript/TypeScript.
Acode is free, open source, and trusted by 3.6M+ developers. Get it now.