# theos/theos

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4,867 stars · 1,134 forks · Makefile · NOASSERTION

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/theos/theos
- Homepage: https://theos.dev
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/theos-theos.md

## Topics

`build-system` `ios` `linux` `macos` `makefile` `perl` `theos` `windows`

## Description

Theos is a cross-platform mobile development toolchain and build system designed for compiling and packaging software for mobile operating systems. It functions as a system tweak kit and runtime hooking framework, allowing developers to create modifications that alter the internal behavior of mobile OS environments.

The project distinguishes itself by providing specialized preprocessor syntax that generates low-level API calls, removing the boilerplate code typically required for function and method hooking. It enables dynamic runtime method swizzling and class extensions, allowing developers to intercept existing system methods and replace them with custom implementations while maintaining the ability to call the original functionality.

The toolchain covers a broad range of capabilities, including multi-architecture build orchestration for various processors and simulators, and the generation of multi-format installation packages such as deb, ipa, pkg, and rpm. It includes dedicated support for rootless environment development through compile-time path resolution and library link adjustments.

The build system is managed via Makefiles and supports a variety of project scaffolding templates to automate the initial development setup.

## Tags

### Mobile Development

- [Tweak Development](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/ios-apple-ecosystem/ios-development/tweak-development.md) — Functions as a primary kit for creating system extensions and tweaks to customize mobile operating system behavior.
- [Tweak Toolkits](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/ios-apple-ecosystem/ios-development/tweak-development/tweak-toolkits.md) — Provides a specialized development environment with preprocessor syntax to create system modifications without boilerplate code.
- [Mobile Syntax Compilation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/mobile-syntax-compilation.md) — Converts specialized mobile syntax into compatible object code based on provided file extensions. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/logos-file-extensions))
- [Native Runtime Hooking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/native-runtime-hooking.md) — Implements mechanisms for intercepting internal application events by attaching listeners to the native mobile operating system runtime.
- [Rootless Path Resolution](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/rootless-path-resolution.md) — Converts file paths between rootful and rootless environments using compile-time macros for iOS. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/rootless))
- [Toolchains](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/toolchains.md) — Offers a comprehensive suite of tools for compiling and packaging software for multiple mobile operating systems.
- [Dependency Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/build-and-tooling/dependency-management.md) — Specifies and manages the frameworks and libraries to link against, including private and vendor-provided dependencies. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/upgrading-from-legacy-theos))
- [Mobile Application Packaging](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/mobile-development/mobile-infrastructure-security/mobile-application-packaging.md) — Bundles, signs, and distributes mobile application packages across various formats for deployment.

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Tweak Compilation Toolchains](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/tweak-compilation-toolchains.md) — Provides a specialized toolchain for compiling and linking system extensions and tweaks for mobile kernels. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/theos/theos@master/README.md))
- [Binary Execution Lifecycle Hooks](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/binary-execution-lifecycle-hooks.md) — Executes custom logic automatically when a binary loads into memory or before it unloads from the system. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/logos-syntax))
- [Injection Filter Lists](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/process-space-injection/injection-filter-lists.md) — Restricts code injection to a specific set of target bundles or executables via filter lists. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/packaging))
- [Runtime Hooking Frameworks](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/runtime-hooking-frameworks.md) — Provides a framework to intercept and replace functions at runtime to modify application behavior.
- [Compiler Compatibility Layers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/legacy-device-support/compiler-compatibility-layers.md) — Ensures source code compatibility across different compiler versions by handling modern syntax keywords for older tools. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/features))
- [Rootless Path Resolutions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/rootless-path-resolutions.md) — Translates file paths between rootful and rootless environments during the compilation process.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Cross-Platform Build Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-automation-engines/cross-platform-build-systems.md) — Provides an automated build system capable of compiling software across multiple mobile operating systems and hardware architectures.
- [Mobile Build Toolchains](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/build-orchestration-logic/build-orchestration-configuration/build-automation-systems/build-systems/binary-compilation-toolchains/mobile-build-toolchains.md) — Ships a unified toolchain that compiles source code into signed, deployable binary packages for mobile platforms. ([source](https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/gh/theos/theos@master/README.md))
- [Multi-Target Build Orchestrators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/build-orchestration-logic/build-orchestration-configuration/build-automation-systems/build-systems/cross-platform-orchestrators/multi-target-build-orchestrators.md) — Manages complex project structures to compile single source codebases into multiple binary targets.
- [iOS Packaging Tools](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/ios-packaging-tools.md) — Provides specialized tools for generating and packaging software for various versions of the iOS operating system. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/installation-ios))
- [Cross-Platform Build Targets](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/cross-platform-build-targets.md) — Configures the target platform, compiler, SDK version, and deployment version for the build process. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/variables))
- [Multi-Architecture Builds](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/cross-platform-build-targets/multi-architecture-builds.md) — Automates cross-compilation for multiple CPU targets and simulators using a unified build system.
- [Target-Specific Build Settings](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/cross-platform-build-targets/target-specific-build-settings.md) — Adapts the build process and imports system-specific frameworks based on the target mobile platform. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/features))
- [Build Toolchain Abstractions](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/cross-platform-toolchains/build-toolchain-abstractions.md) — Provides an abstraction layer that maps generic build instructions to specific compiler flags for various mobile platforms.
- [Compiler Flag Customization](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/build-orchestration-logic/build-orchestration-configuration/build-automation-systems/build-systems/compilation-flags/compiler-flag-customization.md) — Provides interfaces for injecting custom compiler and linker instructions into the build process. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/variables))
- [iOS Simulator Builds](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/build-orchestration-logic/build-orchestration-configuration/build-automation-systems/build-systems/static-site-generators/build-simulations/ios-simulator-builds.md) — Configures build targets for simulators by managing architecture selection and disabling specific runtime links. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/installation-macos))
- [Swift Cross-Platform Compilers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-tooling/cross-platform-native-compilation/swift-cross-platform-compilers.md) — Compiles Swift source code into native binaries for multiple mobile operating systems. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/swift))
- [Deployment Bundles](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/deployment-bundles.md) — Bundles compiled binaries and assets into distributable packages with options to strip debug symbols. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/commands))
- [Device Deployment](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/device-deployment.md) — Implements workflows for building and launching packages onto connected physical hardware or remote devices. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/variables))
- [Host-to-Device Package Installations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/package-installers/host-to-device-package-installations.md) — Transfers and installs built packages to local or remote target devices and manages the removal of old installations. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/commands))
- [Project Bootstrapping Templates](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-bootstrapping-templates.md) — Creates new project instances by populating predefined blueprints with user-defined configuration variables. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/nic-syntax))
- [Project Scaffolding](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-scaffolding-config-code-generation/project-scaffolding-configuration/project-scaffolding.md) — Provides tools and templates for bootstrapping new projects with standardized file structures. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/structure))
- [Project Templates](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-scaffolding-config-code-generation/project-scaffolding-configuration/project-scaffolding/project-templates.md) — Packages project structures into archives to provide reusable blueprints for new development projects. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/nic))
- [Template-Based Project Scaffolders](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-templates/template-based-project-scaffolders.md) — Generates initial project structures by populating predefined blueprints with user-defined metadata.
- [Template Modification Scripts](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/project-workflow-automation/template-modification-scripts.md) — Runs custom scripts during project creation to modify templates based on the current environment. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/nic-syntax))
- [SDK Integrations](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/sdk-integrations.md) — Integrates external development kits and toolchains to maintain compatibility with specific mobile operating system versions. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/structure))

### Programming Languages & Runtimes

- [Method Swizzling](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/class-method-overrides/method-swizzling.md) — Implements dynamic replacement of method implementations by swapping function pointers at runtime.
- [Cross-Platform Compilers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/cross-platform-compilers.md) — Compiles and packages code for multiple mobile operating systems from a single development environment. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/installation-linux))
- [Runtime Class Modifications](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/dynamic-class-creation/runtime-class-modifications.md) — Modifies existing classes at runtime to add new methods or properties. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/logos-syntax))
- [Source Code Compilers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/source-code-compilers.md) — Transforms project source files into optimized binaries for mobile operating systems with configurable debug verbosity. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/commands))
- [System Modification Runtimes](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/swift-build-systems/system-modification-runtimes.md) — Provides dedicated runtimes that enable high-level languages for system-level modifications and tweaks. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/swift))
- [Compiler Toolchain Management](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/compiler-toolchain-management.md) — Manages and configures third-party toolchains to resolve build errors and target specific hardware architectures. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/installation-macos))
- [Language Interoperability Bridges](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/language-interoperability-bridges.md) — Exposes classes and headers between different languages using bridging headers and generated modules. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/swift))

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Function Hooking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/function-hooking.md) — Wraps existing functions to modify their behavior using automated backend generators. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/logos-syntax))
- [Original Call Triggers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/method-hooking-frameworks/call-counting-hooks/original-call-triggers.md) — Allows hooked functions to invoke their original implementations to maintain base system functionality. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/logos-syntax))
- [Runtime Method Hooking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/runtime-method-hooking.md) — Intercepts and modifies function calls in a running process to alter system behavior. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/concepts))
- [Environment Variable Sets](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/application-lifecycle-management/configuration-management/environment-variable-management/environment-variables/environment-variable-sets.md) — Toggles groups of master variables to quickly switch between different build profiles such as debug or release. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/configuration))
- [Buildable Instance Organization](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/buildable-instance-organization.md) — Splits projects into independent buildable units that are merged during a final staging phase. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/concepts))

### User Interface & Experience

- [Preprocessor Hook Generation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/user-interface-experience/font-rasterizers/api-interception-hooks/method-hooking/preprocessor-hook-generation.md) — Uses a preprocessor to translate high-level syntax into low-level API calls for automated hook generation.

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Build Artifact Bundling](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/dependency-management/project-management/project-directory-management/build-artifact-bundling.md) — Defines which files, directories, and public headers are bundled into the final installation package. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/variables))
- [Arm64e Architecture Support](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/deployment-management-strategies/execution-platforms-and-targets/hardware-profile-deployments/arm64-deployment-profiles/native-arm64-builds/arm64e-architecture-support.md) — Provides specialized build support for the arm64e architecture to enable code injection into platform binaries. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/arm64e-deployment))
- [Debian Package Builds](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/distribution-packaging/software-distribution/linux-package-generators/debian-package-builds.md) — Generates Debian (.deb) installation packages from project directories without requiring external toolsets. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/dm.pl))
- [Multi-Format Packaging Support](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/multi-format-packaging-support.md) — Supports the generation of multiple industry-standard package formats including .deb, .ipa, .pkg, and .rpm. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/variables))
- [Multi-Platform Artifact Packaging](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/multi-platform-installation-systems/multi-platform-artifact-packaging.md) — Creates OS-specific archives and installers from a single source codebase for diverse mobile target environments. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/packaging))
- [Staging-Area Packaging](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/multi-platform-installation-systems/multi-platform-artifact-packaging/staging-area-packaging.md) — Constructs a temporary filesystem hierarchy of build artifacts before final package compression.
- [Build System Extensibility](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/release-automation/plugin-extensibility/plugin-extensible-runtimes/build-system-extensibility.md) — Enables custom build rules and variables by importing external module directories into the build system. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/modules))
- [Software Packaging](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/software-packaging.md) — Creates installation files using custom tools to ensure compatibility across different platforms and compression formats. ([source](https://theos.dev/docs/structure))

### Part of an Awesome List

- [iOS Jailbreaking](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/awesome-lists/security/ios-jailbreaking.md) — Cross-platform suite for building and deploying iOS software.