What is linux-android?

This project is a collection of shell scripts that turn an old Android phone into either a Linux desktop or a smart home server, using an app called Termux and without needing root access, a PC, or any cloud service. It was made to go along with a YouTube video walkthrough. The first script sets up a full graphical Linux desktop that runs directly on the phone. You get a choice of desktop environments, including XFCE4 as the recommended default for most phones, LXQt for older or lower memory devices, MATE for a more classic look, and KDE Plasma for newer, more powerful phones. Once installed, the desktop includes a web browser, a video player, developer tools like Git and Python, and an SSH server so you can log in and control the phone from a computer on the same WiFi network. The second script sets up Home Assistant, a smart home hub, inside a lightweight container on the phone. This lets the old phone act as an always on server that can control WiFi connected smart lights, plugs, and similar devices, viewable through a web browser from any device on the network. Both scripts can be installed on the same phone at once and do not interfere with each other. The scripts require a phone with a 64 bit processor, at least 3 gigabytes of memory, and some free storage space, with better results on phones that use Qualcomm Snapdragon chips because of stronger graphics driver support. The setup automatically detects the phone's graphics hardware and adjusts accordingly rather than guessing from the phone brand. Setup for the desktop takes roughly 10 to 30 minutes, and the smart home server takes about 15 to 45 minutes, both mostly depending on internet speed. Detailed instructions are given for installing the needed apps first, running the setup script, starting and stopping the desktop, and connecting over SSH from another computer, including copying files back and forth.