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