Termux Packages for Development, System Monitoring, and More

Termux is a powerful terminal emulator for Android that brings the Linux command line to your mobile device. Whether you’re a developer, a system admin, or a tech enthusiast, Termux offers a wide range of packages that can turn your Android device into a versatile tool. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the best Termux packages for development, system monitoring, and other essential tasks.

1. Development Packages

When it comes to development, Termux provides a plethora of tools that can help you write, compile, and run code directly from your Android device. Here are some must-have packages:

Git: Version control is essential for any development project. With Git, you can clone repositories, commit changes, and manage branches just as you would on any other development environment.

$ pkg install git 

Python: Whether you’re scripting or developing full applications, Python is a versatile language to have.

$ pkg install python

Don’t forget to install pip, Python’s package manager.

$ pkg install python-pip

Node.js: If you’re into JavaScript development, Node.js is a must. It allows you to run JavaScript on the server side.

$ pkg install nodejs

PHP: For web development, PHP is still a dominant language. Install it with:

$ pkg install php

OpenJDK: For Java development, OpenJDK provides the necessary tools to compile and run Java applications.

$ pkg install openjdk-17

For a more in-depth look at setting up your development environment on Termux, check out our Ultimate Guide to Termux.

2. System Monitoring Packages

Monitoring your system’s performance and resources is crucial, especially when running tasks on your mobile device. Here are some packages to help you keep an eye on your system:

htop: A process viewer that shows a dynamic real-time view of the running processes on your system.

$ pkg install htop

iftop: A network monitoring tool that shows bandwidth usage on your network interfaces.

$ pkg install iftop

termux-api: This package allows you to access Android-specific features, such as battery status, sensor data, and more.

$ pkg install termux-api

ncdu: A disk usage analyzer that provides a visual representation of your disk space usage.

$ pkg install ncdu

These tools are essential for maintaining your Termux environment. For additional automation tips using Termux, visit our Automation with Termux guide.

3. Networking and Security Tools

If you’re into networking or security, Termux has you covered with several powerful tools:

nmap: A network scanning tool that can discover hosts and services on a network.

$ pkg install nmap

OpenSSH: Securely connect to remote servers using SSH.

$ pkg install openssh

curl: A command-line tool for transferring data with URLs. It’s handy for interacting with APIs and downloading files.

$ pkg install curl

tcpdump: A powerful network packet analyzer that allows you to capture and inspect network traffic.

$ pkg install tcpdump

Learn more about setting up secure connections and file transfers in our Comprehensive Guide to rsync on Termux.

4. Text Editors

While Termux comes with nano pre-installed, you may want to install other editors based on your preference:

Vim: A highly configurable text editor built to make editing text efficient.

$ pkg install vim

Emacs: An extensible, customizable text editor with a built-in Lisp interpreter.

$ pkg install emacs

5. Utilities and Productivity Tools

Lastly, here are some additional utilities that can enhance your productivity:

tmux: A terminal multiplexer that allows you to run multiple terminal sessions within a single window. Install it with:Copy codepkg install tmux

$ pkg install tmux

rsync: A fast and versatile file-copying tool, ideal for backups and syncing files across systems.

$ pkg install rsync

zip/unzip: Manage compressed files with these essential tools.

$ pkg install unzip

Conclusion

Termux transforms your Android device into a powerful Linux environment, and with the right set of packages, you can perform a wide range of tasks—from software development to system monitoring. Whether you’re coding, managing servers, or analyzing network traffic, the packages listed above will help you get the most out of Termux.

Remember, Termux is highly customizable, so feel free to explore and install additional packages that suit your specific needs. For more tutorials and tips on optimizing Termux, be sure to visit our Ultimate Guide to Termux.