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Workspaces: Linux on your phone

What a workspace is, installing Linux (rootfs), files, templates, attaching to chats and safety features.

2 min readUpdated workspacelinuxrootfsubuntuprootfiles

A workspace is a private project folder on your phone, optionally with a full Linux environment (a "rootfs" running through proot). The agent uses it to write code, install packages, run builds, servers and tests, just like a developer machine.

Open Workspace from the drawer tiles (or Cx Orbit → Tools → Workspaces and skills).

Create a workspace#

  1. Tap Add workspace, give it a name.
  2. Optionally start from Quick-start project templates: Web app or Python project (editable files are created now; open the terminal to run or build them).
  3. Install Linux – choose where it comes from:
    • CX Agent Extended (offline-ready) (~213 MB) – recommended, comes with common tools.
    • Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (~28 MB) or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (newer).
    • A GitHub repo's releases (paste owner/repo, Fetch releases, pick a .tar.gz/.tar.xz), a Download URL, or a rootfs file already on your phone.
  4. Installation runs in the background with a notification: downloading → extracting → "Setting up curl, node and npm" → Installation complete.
Note

Your project files stay safe. Repair and Uninstall Rootfs only replace or remove the Linux system (apt packages, Node.js, npm…), never your files.

Workspace details#

Tabs: Basic, Files, Terminal, Advanced, Pro, Dev.

  • Basic – name, Shell Status ("Linux is installed and ready"), Enable Shell, Repair, Environment health (install missing tools; files stay safe), workspace permissions.
  • Files – browse folders, open the built-in editor, Import File, Export, Share, delete, "Open terminal here".
  • Terminal – see next page.
  • Advanced / Pro / Dev – the Developer toolkit (tap any capability to see what it does), checkpoints, secrets and agent helpers.

Attaching to chats#

In a chat, attach a workspace with the workspace chip / Select Workspace (or ask CX). The chat then shows the workspace chip with Terminal, Files, Change workspace, Disconnect workspace, and you can set the working directory (Set as CWD). Mention files with @path.

Detach removes a workspace from all assistants and chats but keeps it; Delete Workspace permanently deletes files and the Linux environment.

Checkpoints, secrets and helpers#

  • Checkpoints / Rollback – private snapshots the agent saves before edits. Restore brings files back to that moment ("files ko us time par wapas le jao"). Needs Linux installed.
  • Secrets (env vars) – API keys for this workspace, encrypted on the phone. The agent only sees names; values are hidden in its output. Add with a name like OPENAI_API_KEY. ("Key yahin daalo, chat mein nahi.")
  • Auto-check after edits – quick syntax check of changed files (node, python, php, json, bash). Never blocks an edit.
  • Checkpoint at task start – before the first file change of every request, labelled with your message.

Storage#

Workspaces can be large. See Settings → Data and backup → Storage to clear session files, remove Linux or delete workspaces.

You can also open workspace files from Android's file picker: CX Agent exposes workspaces as a documents provider.