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“I deleted a file in Termux, and now I can’t find where it went.”

That was me, staring at my phone, frustrated and confused. If you’ve ever tried navigating the Termux file system structure, you’ve probably felt the same way. Unlike a traditional Linux system, where files follow an intuitive hierarchy, Termux’s structure feels a bit… different. Your home directory isn’t where you expect it to be, permissions can be tricky, and accessing shared storage requires extra steps.

When I first started using Termux, I assumed it worked just like my Linux desktop. Big mistake. It took me way too long to figure out where things were stored, how to access external files, and why some commands didn’t behave as expected.

So, to save you the headache, I’ve put together this guide to break down the Termux file system structure—how it works, where your files actually live, and how to navigate it like a pro.

By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly where to find your files, how to manage permissions, and how to leverage Termux’s storage capabilities effectively.

Let’s dive in.

Download the Termux File Structure Cheat Sheet

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Table of Contents

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• Breaking Down the Termux File System Structure
• Essential Directories and Their Roles
• Navigating the Termux File System
  • Navigating Directories
  • Managing Files and Directories
  • Copying and Moving Files
  • Viewing and Editing Files
  • Accessing Android's Shared Storage in Termux
  • Granting Storage Permission
  • Navigating Shared Storage
  • Creating Symlinks
• Advanced File Management Tips
  • Batch Renaming Files
  • Finding and Deleting Files
  • Compressing and Extracting Files
• Mastering the Termux File System Structure: What’s Next?

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Breaking Down the Termux File System Structure

The Termux file system is modeled after a typical Linux file system but is adapted to work on Android. Here’s an overview of the most important directories:

• /data/data/com.termux/files/home/: Your home directory, where Termux starts by default. This is similar to the /home/username/ directory in Linux.
• /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/: Contains installed packages and binaries, equivalent to the /usr/ directory in Linux.
• /storage/: Provides access to shared storage on your Android device, including internal storage and SD cards.

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Essential Directories and Their Roles

Understanding the roles of key directories is crucial for effective file management:

1. /bin/: Hosts essential command binaries like ls, cp, and mv.
2. /etc/: Stores configuration files.
3. /tmp/: Used for temporary files.
4. /var/: Contains variable data, such as logs and cache.
5. /opt/: Reserved for optional software packages.

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Navigating the Termux File System

Here are some commands to help you explore and manage files within Termux:

Navigating Directories

cd /path/to/directory # Change directory 
pwd # Print the current directory
ls  # List the contents of a directory

Managing Files and Directories

mkdir new_directory # Create a new directory 
touch newfile.txt # Create a new file 
rm newfile.txt # Delete a file 
rm -r new_directory/ # Delete a directory and its contents

Copying and Moving Files

cp source.txt destination.txt # Copy a file 
mv oldname.txt newname.txt # Rename or move a file

Viewing and Editing Files

cat filename.txt # View file content 
nano filename.txt # Edit a file using nano

Accessing Android’s Shared Storage in Termux

To access your device’s shared storage, follow these steps:

Granting Storage Permission

termux-setup-storage

This command enables access to internal storage and external SD cards under the /storage/ directory.

Navigating Shared Storage

cd /storage/emulated/0/ # Access internal storage 
cd /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ # Access external SD card

Creating Symlinks

ln -s /storage/emulated/0/ ~/storage 
ln -s /storage/XXXX-XXXX/ ~/sdcard

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Advanced File Management Tips

For more advanced file management in Termux, try these tips:

Batch Renaming Files

Rename all .txt files to .bak in the current directory.

for file in *.txt; do mv "$file" "${file%.txt}.bak"; done

Finding and Deleting Files

Find and delete all .log files in a specified directory.

find /path/to/search -name "*.log" -type f -delete

Compressing and Extracting Files

tar -czvf archive.tar.gz /path/to/folder # Compress a directory 
tar -xzvf archive.tar.gz # Extract an archive

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Mastering the Termux File System Structure: What’s Next?

Once you understand the Termux file system structure, everything clicks into place. No more guessing where files are stored, struggling with permissions, or wondering why certain directories behave differently. You now have the power to navigate Termux like a pro, making your workflow smoother and more efficient.

But knowing the structure is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you start optimizing your Termux setup—customizing your environment, automating tasks, and unlocking the full potential of mobile Linux. Want to take your Termux skills even further? Check out my deep dive into Termux appearance customization and must-have Termux packages for development.

Got questions or a cool Termux trick? Drop a comment and let’s geek out!