Things to Do After Installing Termux (Beginner Setup Guide)

When I first installed Termux, I didn’t really know what to do next. I had a blank terminal screen and a lot of curiosity, but no clear direction.

Termux is powerful, but it doesn’t come with the tools you actually need. You have to set things up yourself before it becomes useful.

A simple Termux setup on Android.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most important things you should do after installing Termux. Not just random commands, but the ones that actually make your environment stable, easier to use, and ready for learning things like coding, automation, or cybersecurity.

Take it step by step. You don’t need to install everything at once. Just focus on building a clean and working setup first.

1. Update and Upgrade Termux (Do This First)

Before you install anything, you need to update Termux.

When you first install it, most of the packages are outdated. If you skip this step, you might run into errors later when installing tools.

Run this command:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y

Note: Sometimes during upgrade, you may see a prompt about keeping or replacing configuration files (Y/I/N/O/D/Z). Usually, just press Enter to keep the default. This is normal and your terminal is not frozen.

Give it a minute to finish. This will refresh the package list and upgrade everything to the latest version.

Now here’s something most guides don’t tell you.

Sometimes the update fails because the default repository is slow or not responding. If that happens, don’t panic. You can switch to a different mirror using:

termux-change-repo

Just pick a stable mirror from the list, then run the update command again.

Also, if you are using a newer Android version, make sure Termux is not being restricted in the background. Go to your phone settings and set battery usage to “Unrestricted” for Termux. This helps prevent commands from stopping halfway.

2. Set Up Storage Access

By default, Termux cannot access your phone’s internal storage.

If you want to work with files like downloads, documents, or scripts, you need to give it permission.

Run this command:

termux-setup-storage

After running it, you will see a permission prompt. Just allow it.

This will create a new folder called storage in your Termux home directory. Inside it, you’ll find shortcuts like:

• downloads
• shared
• dcim

Now you can access your phone files directly from Termux.

Android storage is not a full Linux file system, so some things don’t work the same way.

Because of that, don’t run heavy tools or move system files and scripts inside /sdcard. Some tools may break if you use storage directly.

A better approach is simple. Keep your work inside the Termux home directory and use storage only to move files in or out. This will save you a lot of headaches later.

3. Install Basic Packages (Your Core Setup)

Now that Termux is updated, it’s time to install the tools you’ll use almost every day.

Instead of installing packages one by one, you can do it in a single command:

pkg install git python nodejs-lts curl wget nano vim -y

Let’s quickly break down why these matter so you’re not just installing random tools.

• git – lets you download and manage projects from GitHub
• python – useful for scripting, automation, and learning programming
• nodejs-lts – needed for JavaScript tools and some modern CLI apps
• curl / wget – used to download files or test websites from the terminal
• nano / vim – text editors for writing and editing files inside Termux

For example, you can use curl to check if a website is working:

curl https://example.com

Or use git to download a project:

git clone https://github.com/user/repo.git

Here’s a small tip that will save you time.

Use the TAB key to auto-complete commands and file names instead of typing everything manually.

Most Android keyboards don’t have a TAB key. You can use the extra keys row in Termux (like Volume Up + Q), or install a keyboard like Hacker’s Keyboard, which includes it.

Also, when installing packages, add -y at the end to skip confirmation prompts.

4. Customize Termux (Make It Comfortable to Use)

At this point, Termux is working, but it still looks very basic.

You don’t have to customize it, but making a few small changes can make it much easier to use, especially if you spend a lot of time in the terminal.

Start by installing the Termux tools:

pkg install termux-tools

Now here’s the simple way to think about customization.

You can change things like:

• Text color
• Background color
• Font style and size

These settings are controlled by files inside this folder:

~/.termux/

For example:

• colors.properties → controls your color theme
• font.ttf → lets you use a custom font

If this sounds confusing, don’t worry. You don’t need to edit everything right now.

A simple start is just picking a color style that’s easier on your eyes, especially if you use Termux at night.

Small Tip (Optional but Useful) If you plan to use Termux often, try increasing your font size and choosing a clear font. It reduces eye strain and makes long commands easier to read.

5. Upgrade Your Shell (Optional, But Worth Trying)

By default, Termux uses Bash. It works fine, and honestly, you can stick with it if you’re just starting out.

But as you get more comfortable, you might want something a bit more powerful and easier to customize. That’s where Zsh comes in.

You can install it with:

pkg install zsh -y

Then switch to it:

chsh -s zsh

After that, restart Termux.

At first, you might not notice a big difference. That’s normal.

The real benefit of Zsh comes when you start customizing it. For example:

• Better command suggestions
• Easier navigation
• Cleaner prompt

If you want to take it further later, you can install tools like Oh My Zsh, but don’t rush into that yet. It can feel overwhelming if you’re still learning the basics.

Simple “Power Tip”

You can customize your shell startup by editing this file:

• For Bash → ~/.bashrc
• For Zsh → ~/.zshrc

For example, you can add shortcuts (aliases) like this:

alias update="pkg update && pkg upgrade -y"

Now you can just type:

update

And it will run everything for you.

6. Install Basic Networking Tools (Start Understanding Connections)

If you want to understand how networks work, you’ll need a few basic tools.

Install them with:

pkg install net-tools openssh -y

Here’s what these tools actually do:

• net-tools – gives you commands like ifconfig to check your network details
• openssh – lets you connect to other systems or even access your Termux remotely

For example, you can check your IP address with:

ifconfig

This helps you understand how your device is connected to a network.

With SSH, you can even turn Termux into something you can access from another device, like your laptop. We’ll set that up later.

7. Try Cybersecurity Tools

If you’re getting into cybersecurity, Termux can be a good place to practice.

Start simple. Don’t try to install everything at once.

For example, install Nmap:

pkg install nmap -y

You can use it to scan your own network and see connected devices.

If you want to explore more advanced tools later, you can enable the unstable repository:

pkg install unstable-repo

Then install tools like Metasploit:

pkg install metasploit

Note: Installing Metasploit can take 10–20 minutes depending on your internet speed and phone model. If it seems stuck, be patient. It’s normal on slower devices.

Take your time here. Focus on learning how each tool works instead of just installing it.

8. Install Termux API (Connect to Your Phone Features)

Termux is not just a terminal. It can also interact with your phone.

To enable that, install:

pkg install termux-api -y

You’ll also need the Termux API app installed on your device for full support.

Warning: The Termux API app from Google Play is often outdated. For best results, install the F-Droid version of Termux and the matching Termux API app from the same source.

Once set up, you can do things like:

• Access device sensors
• Send SMS (with permission)
• Use the camera

This opens up a lot of automation possibilities.

Conclusion

Setting up Termux the right way makes everything easier later. You don’t need to install every tool at once. Only install tools you understand, and update regularly with pkg update && pkg upgrade -y.

Focus on one area at a time and don’t rush. learning by fixing mistakes is normal.

If this guide helped you, feel free to share it with someone else who is getting started with Termux. And if you run into any errors or get stuck at any step, drop a comment. I’ll try to help you out.