a-Shell
A local Unix-style terminal for iPhone and iPad with multiple windows and common command-line tools.
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About a-Shell
a-Shell is a terminal app for iOS and iPadOS that runs commands locally on the device. It supports multiple windows and bundles a set of common Unix command-line tools along with a Python interpreter built from CPython.
It integrates with Shortcuts through intents, so commands can be run as part of automations. A smaller a-Shell mini variant is built from the same project. The interface is translated into several languages, including German, Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean and Chinese.
Strengths
- Runs commands locally without a remote server
- Multiple terminal windows
- Includes Python and common Unix tools
- Shortcuts integration for automation
Limitations
- iOS restrictions limit which programs can run
- Only for iPhone and iPad
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- Nicolas Holzschuch
- Platforms
- iOS
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Running scripts and Unix tools directly on an iPhone or iPad
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to a-Shell
Compare allSoftware that can replace a-Shell for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
iSH
A Linux shell for iPhone and iPad that runs Alpine Linux in a usermode x86 emulator.
iSH runs an Alpine Linux shell in a usermode x86 emulator on iPhone and iPad, so it is slower than native code but offers Linux packages.
Blink Shell
An SSH and Mosh terminal for iPhone and iPad with local Unix tools and SFTP support.
Blink Shell focuses on SSH and Mosh to remote servers, with local Unix tools and SFTP, but it needs an annual subscription after the trial.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
Prompt
Panic's native terminal and SSH client for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision Pro, with Mosh support.
Secure ShellFish
An SSH terminal and SFTP file access app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Termux
An Android terminal emulator and Linux environment that installs packages with APT, without root.
OpenSSH
The standard SSH client and server suite for encrypted remote login, file copying and tunnelling.
Mosh
A remote shell that replaces interactive SSH and survives roaming, sleep and dropped connections.
