Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone • Hacker News Board

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#31

Post by Bridged7756 » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

fragmede wrote: post #14

cliffaust wrote: post #12

I remember when I started learning coding, and didn't have a computer. I literally used to use my phone to write code - terrible experience, but I was determined

I remember when I started learning coding. I didn't have the Internet. It was also terrible and I was also determined.

When I started learning coding I had to write my C code on paper and have it sent by mule to the nearby city where the only computer in the area existed. Only a week later I would hear back the result of my programs.

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#32

Post by b40d-48b2-979e » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

functionmouse wrote: post #30

> What You'll Need > A Computer running 24/7 with Internet Connection > A Smartphone > A Claude Pro subscription Or.. just install Termux and do it the same way you do it anywhere else?

Termux with a 10-keyless BT keyboard in bed was a comfy way to solve AOC problems considering it released at midnight in my timezone.

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#33

Post by [deleted] » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

functionmouse wrote: post #30

> What You'll Need > A Computer running 24/7 with Internet Connection > A Smartphone > A Claude Pro subscription Or.. just install Termux and do it the same way you do it anywhere else?

[deleted]

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#34

Post by worksonmine » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

scottbez1 wrote: post #4

It’s a simple idea but one that hadn’t occurred to me yet. I spend hours each week riding transit, and use Claude for a bunch of side projects and have Tailscale set up already, so looks like I’ll be giving this a try this week! Doom coding might be doomed while I’m in the transbay tube though, with awful cell service… How’s the diff review? I rely heavily on the vs code integration for nice side by side diffs, so lo…

I would guess a phone is way too small for side by side diffs, and a simple `git diff` would probably be more useful. If you want better syntax highlighting you could setup bat[0] as your difftool. If you insist on a side-by-side view (neo)vim has a diff mode with the -d flag. It is also possible to setup as the difftool that git uses.

[0]: https://github.com/sharkdp/bat

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#35

Post by gxs » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

cliffaust wrote: post #12

I remember when I started learning coding, and didn't have a computer. I literally used to use my phone to write code - terrible experience, but I was determined

Luckily I think in this day and age it’d be more viable and not as miserable as an experience - dare I say more accessible

You can connect an external keyboard to your phone and if you can swing getting a cheap IPS panel that displays text clearly enough, you’d have a working set up

Anyway, kudos to you, I love reading stories about determination

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#36

Post by sjrd » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:20 PM UTC

I genuinely did that a few times. Using an ssh client to fix a commit failing CI, for example. Even launching release builds remotely. Notably once when I was on vacation and half the Scala ecosystem was waiting for me.

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#37

Post by cons0le » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:23 PM UTC

We need to take this idea further. Instead of "remote first", I'm waiting for the first company that will bodly declare "you can do all your work on your phone".

I'm tired of lugging my laptop around. Let me work from the beach with my phone and ar glasses.

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#38

Post by urbandw311er » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:24 PM UTC

I already doom code! I’ve always found coding a highly addictive activity and struggle to stop when I should. So for me it’s a hard no thanks :-)

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#39

Post by analogpixel » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:24 PM UTC

So this is the 4th+ article I've seen on using a VPN to vibe code on your phone. Would an email interface to Claude code work better?

- Email Claude to start the coding

- Claude emails you with any thing it needs acked on.

- you reply back to emails telling it what to do.

- maybe Claude can run your program and send back screen shots.

seems easier then getting a vpn working. What is the downside to using email?

Re: Stop Doom Scrolling, Start Doom Coding: Build via the terminal from your phone

#40

Post by Bridged7756 » Tue, Jan 06, 2026, 8:25 PM UTC

cliffaust wrote: post #12

I remember when I started learning coding, and didn't have a computer. I literally used to use my phone to write code - terrible experience, but I was determined

When I started learning coding, we had to run 50 kilometers through dense jungle, fight Jaguars and jump over snakes, to get to the only computer in the region. I saw a lot of friends die during the daily journey. The teacher was a shaman too, very knowledgeable on C. He would teach us rituals and stuff.