Set up a Terminal Keyboard

Keep the terminal keys you use most within reach. Choose a layout from the keyboard gallery or open the web editor to create your own.

These instructions require a ConnectBot build with the customizable Terminal keyboard settings. Older builds may only offer the special-key toolbar.

Choose a layout

Browse the keyboard gallery for built-in templates and community layouts. Select Customize layout to open one in the editor, or start with a blank layout. You can also import a keyboard JSON file you already have into the editor.

Make it your own

Give the layout a name and select a key to change its action or appearance. Drag keys to rearrange them, or add keys for shortcuts and macros.
Select Phone or Tablet and switch between Portrait and Landscape to check the available space. Mobile previews include a simulated Google Keyboard; use Show Google Keyboard to hide it.
Switch to Test keyboard to try layers, modifiers, and shortcuts. The action log shows what each key would do.
Select Download JSON to save the layout. By default, the editor creates new identifiers so the import adds a separate copy.

The preview and action log run in your browser. Google Keyboard is shown for spacing; its simulated keys do not type into a live terminal.

Import into ConnectBot

Save the downloaded JSON on your Android device.
Open ConnectBot’s Host List, open its menu, and select Import Hosts. Choose your keyboard JSON file. This importer also handles keyboard layouts and macros, even when the file contains no hosts.
Open the host or profile you want to use, find Terminal keyboard, and select the imported layout. Save the host or profile to apply the choice.

You can manage saved layouts and macros from Settings → Terminal keyboard. If you cannot find these controls, use a ConnectBot build that includes the customizable Terminal Keyboard.

Select Share your layout in the editor for the contribution steps. Upload the JSON to the GitHub repository’s public/keyboards/ directory and open a pull request. Once merged, your layout appears in the gallery.

The contribution guide explains naming and validation requirements.