a-Shell icon
a-Shell Review: Comprehensive Terminal Emulator for iOS Development

by Nicolas Holzschuch

a-Shell delivers a native ARM64 terminal environment for iOS with Unix tools, programming languages, and TeX support. Targets developers, researchers, and power users needing local command-line access without cloud dependencies.

Detailed Review

a-Shell stands as a robust terminal emulator application for iOS devices, providing users with direct access to Unix command-line utilities natively compiled for ARM64 architecture. Unlike remote SSH solutions or cloud-based terminals, a-Shell operates entirely locally on the device, leveraging iOS's underlying BSD Unix foundation to deliver authentic command-line functionality without requiring internet connectivity or external servers. The application's core functionality encompasses a comprehensive suite of Unix tools including file management (scp, curl), text editing (vim, ed), and data processing (grep, awk, sed). Notably, it includes full programming environments for Python, Lua, Perl, JavaScript, C, and C++, along with a complete TeX Live 2023 distribution featuring TikZ and LuaTeX. The git integration through lg2 enables version control operations, while native ARM64 compilation ensures optimal performance and system integration. File transfer capabilities support both local operations and network protocols including SFTP and SSH. User experience centers around a clean terminal interface with customizable keyboard shortcuts and font options. Real-world usage patterns show developers writing and testing code directly on iPads, researchers processing data with command-line tools, and academics typesetting documents with TeX. The interface maintains iOS conventions while providing depth through configurable settings, though touchscreen command-line interaction requires adaptation from traditional keyboard/mouse workflows. User feedback consistently highlights the application's comprehensive toolset and local execution capabilities. EZ1900 (2025-02-24) notes the importance of understanding licensing limitations, while boog70000000 (2025-03-13) demonstrates practical use cases including web server hosting through Python. Jcenmiami (2024-11-12) specifically praises Python execution with pip support and SSH functionality, reflecting the technical audience's appreciation for professional-grade tools. The application demonstrates significant strengths in its native tool compilation and offline capability, though limitations exist regarding GPL-licensed software exclusion due to Apple's App Store policies. Ideal use cases include mobile development workflows, academic research requiring TeX processing, and system administration tasks. The balance between iOS integration and Unix functionality makes it particularly valuable for users transitioning between desktop and mobile environments.

Key Features

  • Native ARM64 Unix commands including grep, awk and sed for local file processing without internet dependency
  • Full Python environment with pip support enabling script execution and web server hosting capabilities
  • Complete TeX Live 2023 distribution with TikZ and LuaTeX for professional document typesetting on iOS
  • Git integration through lg2 allowing version control operations for code repository management
  • File transfer protocols including SCP and SFTP for secure remote file operations and synchronization
  • Multiple programming languages (C, C++, JavaScript, Lua, Perl) compiled natively for development flexibility

Why Users Love It

Native ARM64 performance
Comprehensive tool integration

Perfect for: Developers and technical users requiring local Unix environment on iOS

Screenshots

a-Shell screenshot 1a-Shell screenshot 2a-Shell screenshot 3a-Shell screenshot 4a-Shell screenshot 5

Ranking History

Track a-Shell's performance in Developer Tools over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#29

+2 from last week

Best Rank

#25

All-time high

Average Rank

#29

30-day average

User Reviews

NeoYokel
Jan 19, 2023

There are now quite a few terminal emulator-esque apps on the App Store, but I've been using a-Shell since it was joined only by Blink (from which it was forked) and iSH. As it was then, a-Shell remains the only one of these with which one can actually accomplish command line tasks *locally* beyond screwing around. I am ultimately not a command line native, and I don't have the basic theory beneath my use of Python scripts, yet I've been able to accomplish startlingly powerful things within this app, thanks in large part to gracious and immediately-available support via the project's Discord server. If you've found yourself here by way of a Siri Shortcut's requirement, I would encourage you to take the time to investigate the commands said shortcut(s) run - try running them yourself! The notable boundary-pusher of local command line functions on iOS/iPadOS There are now quite a few terminal emulator-esque apps on the App Store, but I've been using a-Shell since it was joined only by Blink (from which it was forked) and iSH. As it was then, a-Shell remains the only one of these with which one can actually accomplish command line tasks *locally* beyond screwing around. I am ultimately not a command line native, and I don't have the basic theory beneath my use of Python scripts, yet I've been able to accomplish startlingly powerful things within this app, thanks in large part to gracious and immediately-available support via the project's Discord server.If you've found yourself here by way of a Siri Shortcut's requirement, I would encourage you to take the time to investigate the commands said shortcut(s) run - try running them yourself!

nycvelo
Feb 26, 2023

I’ve grown frustrated with several terminal and/or ssh clients that offered limited features, only supported old ciphers, etc. a-Shell is a real working terminal, and is as useful for working with remote BSD and Linux boxes as a terminal app on MacOS. Bravo! At last, a real terminal app I’ve grown frustrated with several terminal and/or ssh clients that offered limited features, only supported old ciphers, etc. a-Shell is a real working terminal, and is as useful for working with remote BSD and Linux boxes as a terminal app on MacOS. Bravo!

cosmin.nicolaescu
Dec 30, 2023

Especially given all the constraints on iOS/iPadOS, this is really well done 🙏 Impressive Especially given all the constraints on iOS/iPadOS, this is really well done 🙏

chad wild clay/CWC
Aug 29, 2022

Me and my friends have messed around a bit with the app but I don’t know how to use the remote shutoff command. If you could give me a template that would be great. THANKS! Remote shut off command Me and my friends have messed around a bit with the app but I don’t know how to use the remote shutoff command. If you could give me a template that would be great. THANKS!

WhiplashZamboniMan
Mar 12, 2024

After a lot of searching for mobile LaTeX environments that are no longer maintained and are no longer in a useful state, I was pleasantly surprised to come across a-shell through a YouTube video talking about generating PDF files from iOS. It may not have a fancy autocomplete editing environment but generating PDF documents is a breeze. I wish it was a lot easier to find. Perfect for PDFLaTeX on the go After a lot of searching for mobile LaTeX environments that are no longer maintained and are no longer in a useful state, I was pleasantly surprised to come across a-shell through a YouTube video talking about generating PDF files from iOS. It may not have a fancy autocomplete editing environment but generating PDF documents is a breeze. I wish it was a lot easier to find.

App Details

Developer

Nicolas Holzschuch

Platform

ios

Rating

4.6

Last Updated

10/7/2025