holzschu/a-shell
A Shell
a-shell is a local Unix-like shell environment and terminal emulator for iOS. It functions as a Unix shell interface, a Python programming environment, and a WebAssembly runtime, providing a command-line interface for system management and automation on mobile devices.
The project distinguishes itself through the ability to compile and execute C and C++ code on iOS via WebAssembly. It further extends its functionality by supporting the installation of pure Python packages and precompiled WebAssembly modules.
The system covers a broad range of capabilities, including local file system management, terminal-based text editing, and multi-language execution. It also integrates with system shortcuts to enable workflow automation and the transfer of files between different application sandboxes.
Features
- iOS - Provides a local Unix-like shell environment and terminal emulator designed specifically for iOS devices.
- WebAssembly Runtimes - Provides a WebAssembly runtime to execute compiled binaries and programming languages on iOS.
- File and Directory Management - Provides command-line utilities for listing, navigating, organizing, and editing local files on iOS.
- Local File Operations - Implements basic file system operations including creating, moving, and compressing files in the local environment.
- Python Packages - Supports the installation and loading of pure-Python packages from the Python Package Index to extend shell functionality.
- Python Scripting Environments - Provides a runtime environment for executing Python scripts and managing dependencies on a mobile device.
- Python Interpreter Integration - Integrates a full Python runtime and interpreter within the shell for interactive on-device execution.
- Unix Shell Environments - Provides a Unix shell environment and standard utilities for executing scripts and commands on iOS.
- Virtual File System Redirections - Implements a virtual file system that maps internal Unix-like paths to the iOS application sandbox.
- On-Device Compilation - Enables writing and compiling C or C++ code on iOS using WebAssembly for local binary execution.
- Application Data Directories - Allows reading and writing data within external application storage areas using folder pickers and bookmarks.
- Automation Shortcuts - Integrates with system automation shortcuts to trigger shell commands and move files between app sandboxes.
- Sandbox File Automation - Uses system shortcuts to trigger shell commands and transfer files between different application sandboxes.
- Sandbox Access Tokens - Stores system security tokens to maintain access to external application sandboxes across app restarts.
- Terminal Session Managers - Maintains independent command histories and working directories across separate terminal window contexts.
- Automation and Integration Tools - Acts as a bridge between the shell and iOS system shortcuts to automate repetitive command-line workflows.
- Terminal Text Editors - Provides built-in terminal-based text editors and syntax checkers for modifying code and text files.
- Terminal Window Managers - Allows the creation and organization of separate terminal windows with independent execution contexts.
- C/C++ to WebAssembly Compilers - Includes toolchains to compile C and C++ source code into WebAssembly bytecode for local execution.
- Multi-Language Script Execution - Enables the execution of scripts written in multiple programming languages within the shell environment.
- Package Installations - Enables the installation of precompiled WebAssembly modules and pure Python libraries to add new commands.
- Runtime Execution - Supports building and executing programs via WebAssembly to enable the use of static libraries and cross-compilation.
- Terminal Emulators - Mobile shell terminal environment based on Mosh.
