DOCS

Deputy Shell Documentation

Learn how to create workspaces, manage sessions, use the terminal, sign in to supported coding agents and troubleshoot common Android-specific problems.

Getting Started

Deputy Shell provides a terminal and development workspace. Commands and agents can modify or delete files and communicate with external services.

Review commands and agent actions before approving them, and keep backups of important work.

Create a project workspace, start a terminal or Codex session from it, and approve any agent actions as they're proposed. Sessions stay listed in the sidebar so you can return to them later.

Device Requirements

Deputy Shell runs on a physical or virtual Android device. Available storage and device architecture affect which command-line packages and workflows will run.

Projects and Workspaces

Create project entries that point to dedicated workspace folders and group the sessions that belong to each project.

Terminal Sessions

Run multiple independent terminal and Codex sessions without mixing their input, output or state. Sessions retain their identity and recent context so you can leave Deputy Shell and return without losing the organisation of your work.

Using Codex

Codex is optional and requires your own eligible OpenAI account.

Before the first OpenAI sign-in handoff, Deputy Shell displays a disclosure explaining what information may be sent to OpenAI.

Importing and Exporting

Import a ZIP archive into a selected project workspace through Android's system document picker. Export a project workspace as a ZIP file; Deputy Shell excludes common credential, agent-state, dependency and generated-build paths to reduce accidental disclosure. Review exported archives before sharing them.

Privacy and Telemetry

Projects, sessions, retained terminal context, runtime files, preferences and supported agent credentials are stored locally in Android application storage. Crash and ANR reporting and limited usage statistics are disabled by default and controlled independently.

Diagnostics

Deputy Shell creates a diagnostic export only when requested. It does not automatically upload the export. Diagnostic exports are designed to exclude terminal content, workspace source content and credentials.

Troubleshooting

If a session becomes unresponsive, stop it from the sidebar and start a new one. If background sessions stop unexpectedly, check your device's battery and background-activity restrictions for Deputy Shell.

Known Issues

Deputy Shell is pre-release software. Device compatibility is still being expanded, and some command-line packages, projects and workflows may not work in Android's application environment.

Background execution remains subject to Android and device-manufacturer restrictions. Codex and other external services require network access and their own eligible accounts. Keep independent backups of important project files.