Terminal tab
The Terminal workspace is modeled after a classic “session manager”: a left sidebar for quick actions and saved bookmarks, plus tabbed terminals on the right. The main window menu bar adds global actions (devices, APK install, SSH, view tabs).
Main window menu bar
| Menu | What it does |
|---|---|
| File → New session… (Ctrl+N) | Opens the same Login dialog as Login… in the sidebar—create ADB shell, SSH, Android (USB), SFTP/FTP-related flows depending on mode. |
| File → Preferences… (Ctrl+,) | Paths to adb, scrcpy, Python, serial defaults, SSH quick commands, theme, etc. |
| File → Save settings (Ctrl+S) | Writes configuration to disk (e.g. .adbnik.json). |
| Edit → Copy / Clear / Save log | Acts on the application log panel at the bottom of the main window—not the terminal buffer. |
| Session → ADB | Refresh (F5): refresh device list. Reconnect ADB, Restart ADB server. Open ADB shell: switches to Terminal and starts an ADB shell for the device selected in the top device bar. Install APK…: runs adb install -r for that device. |
| Session → SSH | Open SSH from Explorer context or start a new SSH session via the login dialog. |
| Commands → ADB | root, unroot, remount, reboot for the device selected in the top bar (confirmations where needed). |
| Commands → SSH | User-defined quick commands from Preferences—sends a line to the active SSH session when applicable. |
| View | Jump to Terminal (Ctrl+1), File Explorer (Ctrl+2), Screen Control (Ctrl+3). Stop screen mirror (Ctrl+Alt+F12 / Ctrl+Alt+End): stops scrcpy even when the mirror has focus. Dark theme toggle. |
| Help | Website, User guide (F1), GitHub, PyPI, and About (version, feature summary, same links). |
Top device bar (main window)
The ADB device dropdown at the top applies to Session → ADB actions, APK install, and coordinates with Explorer/Screen when a device serial is needed. Use Refresh if you plug/unplug devices. A small stats line (when available) reflects the selected device.
Left sidebar (Terminal)
| Control | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CMD | Opens a local Command Prompt session (Windows). Useful for general shell work with the same PATH conventions as your environment. |
| PowerShell | Opens a local Windows PowerShell session. |
| Pin CMD / Pin PS | Saves the current local shell type as a bookmark in the list below (stored in your config). |
| Login… | Opens the session login dialog: connect ADB shell (pick a device), SSH, Serial (COM + baud), FTP (interactive ftp client), or start an Android/USB session as offered. Saved bookmarks appear in the list; double-click to open. |
| Bookmark list | Double-click a bookmark to open that session. Right-click: start new session, open bookmark, or delete selected bookmarks. |
Session tabs (right side)
Each tab is a terminal session (local shell, adb shell, SSH, serial, etc.). Close a tab with the × on the tab or the tab’s context menu.
Right-click the tab strip (not the ×)
- Close, Close others, Close to the right/left — same as many IDEs.
- Increase / Decrease / Reset font size — changes the font for that session’s terminal (including existing scrollback).
Inside the terminal
- Copy: Ctrl+Shift+C (terminal selection).
- Zoom: Ctrl++ / Ctrl+- / Ctrl+0 (reset) where supported for the active shell view.
- Interrupt: Ctrl+C (and related shortcuts as implemented for remote PTY sessions) sends control characters to the shell—behavior matches a normal terminal for that environment.
Typical flows
- Local command: Click CMD or PowerShell. A new tab opens with that shell. Run what you need. If you use the same setup often, click Pin CMD or Pin PS so it appears in the bookmark list.
- ADB shell: Plug the phone in, enable USB debugging, accept the PC fingerprint if asked. Pick the device in the top bar (use Session → Refresh or F5 if the list is stale). Then Session → Open ADB shell, or Login… → ADB shell, or double-click an ADB bookmark.
- SSH: Login… → choose SSH, enter host, user, port, and key or password. After connecting, lines you add under File → Preferences → SSH quick commands show up under Commands → SSH; picking one sends that line to the active SSH tab.
- Serial: Login… → serial. Choose the COM port and baud. Defaults for port and speed can be set in Preferences if you always use the same hardware.