Termux API Skill

Control Android devices via Termux API commands over SSH.

Prerequisites

• Termux installed on Android device
• Termux:API app installed and permissions granted
• SSH access configured (port 8022 by default)
• termux-api package installed: pkg install termux-api

Connection

# Default SSH connection
ssh -p 8022 <device-ip> '<termux-api-command>'

Important Notes

1. Termux must be in foreground for camera/microphone commands
2. Permissions must be granted in Android Settings → Termux:API → Permissions
3. Start API service if commands timeout: termux-api-start

API Commands Reference

Device Info

Command	Description
termux-battery-status	Battery level, charging status, temperature
termux-audio-info	Audio device info
termux-wifi-connectioninfo	Current WiFi connection details
termux-wifi-scaninfo	Scan nearby WiFi networks
termux-telephony-deviceinfo	Phone/SIM info
termux-telephony-cellinfo	Cell tower info
termux-sensor -l	List available sensors
termux-sensor -s <sensor> -n 1	Read sensor once

Camera & Media

Command	Description
termux-camera-info	List cameras (id 0=back, 1=front)
termux-camera-photo -c <id> <file.jpg>	Take photo (needs foreground)
termux-microphone-record -f <file>	Record audio
termux-media-player play <file>	Play audio file
termux-tts-speak "text"	Text to speech
termux-tts-engines	List TTS engines

Notifications & Feedback

Command	Description
termux-notification -t "title" -c "content"	Show notification
termux-notification-remove --id <id>	Remove notification
termux-toast "message"	Show toast popup
termux-vibrate -d <ms>	Vibrate for duration
termux-torch on/off	Toggle flashlight
termux-dialog	Show dialog (various types)

Communication (needs permissions)

Command	Description
termux-sms-list -l 10	List recent SMS
termux-sms-send -n <number> "message"	Send SMS
termux-contact-list	List contacts
termux-call-log -l 10	Recent call history
termux-telephony-call <number>	Make phone call

Clipboard

Command	Description
termux-clipboard-get	Get clipboard content
termux-clipboard-set "text"	Set clipboard

Location

Command	Description
termux-location	Get GPS location (needs permission)
termux-location -p gps	Use GPS provider
termux-location -p network	Use network provider

System Control

Command	Description
termux-volume	Get/set volume levels
termux-brightness <0-255>	Set screen brightness
termux-wallpaper -f <file>	Set wallpaper
termux-wake-lock	Prevent sleep
termux-wake-unlock	Allow sleep

Storage & Sharing

Command	Description
termux-share -a send <file>	Share file via Android intent
termux-open <file>	Open file with default app
termux-open-url <url>	Open URL in browser
termux-download <url>	Download file
termux-storage-get <dest>	Pick file from storage

Common Patterns

Take a selfie and retrieve it

# Ensure Termux is in foreground first
adb shell am start -n com.termux/.HomeActivity
# Take photo
ssh -p 8022 <ip> 'termux-camera-photo -c 1 ~/selfie.jpg'
# Retrieve via SCP
scp -P 8022 <ip>:~/selfie.jpg /local/path/

Send notification with action

ssh -p 8022 <ip> 'termux-notification -t "Alert" -c "Task complete" --id myalert --vibrate 200,100,200'

Get device location

ssh -p 8022 <ip> 'termux-location -p network'
# Returns JSON with latitude, longitude, accuracy

Monitor battery

ssh -p 8022 <ip> 'termux-battery-status' | jq '.percentage, .status'

Troubleshooting

Command times out

1. Start API service: termux-api-start
2. Check if Termux:API app is installed
3. For camera/mic: ensure Termux app is in foreground

Permission denied

1. Open Android Settings → Apps → Termux:API → Permissions
2. Grant required permissions (camera, location, SMS, etc.)

SSH connection refused

1. In Termux: pkg install openssh && sshd
2. SSH runs on port 8022 by default
3. Set password with passwd or add SSH key to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys