# Thumbdesk — Remote terminal, screen, files

> Secure mobile access and management for servers, projects, and system monitoring. (iPhone/iPad app by Yash Agarwal.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thumbdesk/id6764135099 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Yash Agarwal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1870810559)
- Category: Developer Tools, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.4 · 105 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-05-24
- Data updated: 2026-11-05
- Monetization: freemium
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thumbdesk/id6764135099/reviews.md

## What is Thumbdesk?

Reach every computer you own from your iPhone or iPad: terminals, the full screen, files, projects and live stats. Pair a machine by scanning a QR code, or connect to any SSH server with nothing to install.

PocketShell is now Thumbdesk. Same app, same account, same hosts, with a new name.

Install the lightweight Thumbdesk agent on a Mac, Windows or Linux machine, scan the QR code, and you're connected. No SSH keys to copy, no ports to forward, no VPN to set up. Connections go directly between your phone and your machine over encrypted peer-to-peer links whenever the network allows.

Built for developers, on-call engineers, homelab users and self-hosters who need safe access to machines they own, from anywhere.

SCREEN SHARING
- See and control your Mac, Windows or Linux desktop
- Trackpad-style gestures, pinch to zoom and direct touch
- Soft keyboard with modifier keys and platform shortcuts
- Pick a display and quality, and hear the computer's sound
- Clipboard sync between phone and computer

TERMINAL
- Real terminal sessions with a mobile-friendly key bar
- Sessions resume where you left off, even after switching networks
- Snap a photo, crop it and drop it straight into the terminal
- Works with tmux and long-running jobs

SSH HOSTS, NOTHING TO INSTALL
- Add any server you can reach over SSH: VPS, Raspberry Pi, NAS
- Terminal, SFTP files, stats and projects without installing anything on the server
- Host keys are verified before your credentials are sent

FILES AND PROJECTS
- Browse, preview, upload and download files
- Transfers resume after a dropped connection and keep going in the background
- Upload from any app with the share sheet
- Open projects with a code editor, search, and Git status, diffs, staging and commits
- Preview local dev servers in the built-in browser

CODING AGENTS
- Browse and resume Claude Code, Codex and Grok sessions running on your machines
- See which agents are working with a Live Activity and widgets
- Get notified when an agent finishes

MONITORING
- Live CPU, memory, disk, network and process stats for every host
- Alerts for the disks and thresholds you care about
- Stats history charts

HOW IT WORKS
1. Install the Thumbdesk agent on your computer with one command, or add an SSH server
2. Scan the QR code to pair your phone
3. Open terminals, the screen, files, projects and stats from anywhere

FREE
- Up to 2 hosts
- Terminals, files, projects, monitoring and dev previews
- Screen sharing in 2-minute sessions
- 2 alert rules and your latest 10 agent sessions

THUMBDESK PRO
- Up to 10 hosts
- Unlimited screen sharing
- Unlimited alert rules
- Full agent session history
- Stats history charts
- Files over 5 MB
- Direct host-to-host file transfers

SECURITY
Thumbdesk uses device-bound pairing, Ed25519 keys, biometric unlock and trusted-device approval. Terminal contents are never stored on our servers. Terminal I/O, files, screen video and stats flow directly between your phone and your machine whenever the network allows.

Thumbdesk is for accessing machines you own or are authorized to operate.

Privacy Policy: https://thumbdesk.com/privacy
Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- Real terminal sessions
- ProjectSpace code editor
- System monitoring (CPU, memory, disk)
- File browsing and transfer
- Encrypted peer-to-peer connections
- Local web server previews

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PocketShell Pro Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| PocketShell Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PocketShell Pro Lifetime | $99.99 | one-time |


## Is Thumbdesk safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess Thumbdesk.

## Is Thumbdesk legit?

Thumbdesk has limited verification signals. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Thumbdesk is 58 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (1 of 1)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thumbdesk/id6764135099/reviews.md

### 1/5 — 用不了啊

*2026-08-10*

根本就用不了啊！你们自己到底有没有测试过啊？随便写一个 APP 就发布吗？你用 AI 写的吗？

## Frequently asked questions about Thumbdesk

### What is PocketShell?

PocketShell is a mobile application designed for developers and system administrators to securely manage servers and projects remotely. It offers features like terminal access, file management, and system monitoring, replacing traditional SSH workflows with a mobile-first approach.

### How does PocketShell work?

You install a lightweight host agent on your server, scan a QR code with your phone to pair, and then connect to your machines through encrypted peer-to-peer connections. This eliminates the need for SSH keys, port forwarding, or VPN configuration.

### What are the benefits of PocketShell over traditional SSH?

PocketShell simplifies remote access by avoiding the need to copy private keys to your phone, expose router ports, or set up VPNs. It uses encrypted peer-to-peer connections and a host agent for secure, direct access.

### What devices does PocketShell support?

PocketShell is available for iPhone and iPad, offering a seamless experience across Apple's mobile platforms.

### Is PocketShell free to use?

Yes, PocketShell offers a free tier that allows access to up to 2 hosts. Additional features and more host support are available through a paid subscription.

### What are the subscription options for PocketShell Pro?

PocketShell Pro offers monthly and yearly subscription plans. The monthly plan is $4.99, and the yearly plan is $39.99, providing access to more hosts and enhanced features.

### How secure is PocketShell?

PocketShell prioritizes security with device-bound host pairing, trusted-device approval, biometric unlock, Ed25519 cryptography, and session auditing. Terminal data is not stored on their servers, ensuring privacy.

### Does PocketShell have ads?

No, PocketShell does not contain advertisements. The app is free for up to 2 hosts, with optional paid upgrades for additional features and capacity.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 2.0.0 — 2026-11-01

PocketShell is now Thumbdesk. Same app, same account, same hosts, new name, plus the biggest update yet.

• Screen sharing: see and control your Mac, Windows or Linux desktop with gestures, zoom, a full keyboard and optional sound
• SSH hosts: add any server you can reach over SSH and get a terminal, files, stats and projects with nothing to install
• Faster, steadier terminal: sessions resume reliably after network switches, a new key bar, and photos you can crop and send
• Files rebuilt: transfers resume after drops and keep running in the background, multi-select, a new editor, and upload from the share sheet
• Coding agents: resume Claude Code, Codex and Grok sessions, with a cleaner transcript view
• Live Activity and widgets show which agents are working
• Redesigned Home, host pages, Sessions tab, onboarding and Monitor, with per-disk alerts
• Better layouts on iPad and wide screens
• Security hardening, bug fixes and performance improvements throughout

Screen sharing and the new features need the Thumbdesk agent 2.0 or later on your computer. Update it from the app or with "pocketshell update".

### 1.0.2 — 2026-07-03

ProjectSpace is here — PocketShell is now more than a remote terminal. Open a project on your host and work with files, terminals, Git changes, agent chats, and web previews in one focused mobile workspace.
• New ProjectSpace experience for project-based work
• Browse projects, open folders, search files, and edit code from your phone
• Built-in code editor with syntax highlighting, word wrap, and larger-file performance handling
• Git tools for viewing status, inspecting diffs, staging changes, switching branches, and committing
• New Dev Browser / Web Preview for opening local dev servers from your host on mobile
• Automatic dev-server port discovery with safer host-side port exposure
• Updated localization for ProjectSpace, pairing, and demo flows
• Bug fixes, UI polish, and performance improvements across workspaces, terminals, and host connections

### 1.0.1 — 2026-06-02

• Updated App Icon
• QR-only pairing — typed pair codes removed; cleaner, faster host setup
• File uploads sheet — track, cancel, and review uploads in one place with progress
• Hidden files toggle — show/hide dotfiles in the file browser and search
• Updated fonts and polished typography across the app
• Try it instantly with a demo host — explore the full terminal experience right after signing up, no setup required.
• Easier host pairing — a new step-by-step pairing guide, plus the option to email yourself the install command so you can set up your computer in seconds.
• Windows support — connect to Windows PCs, browse drives and folders with a new "This PC" view, and resume sessions reliably.
• Security Audit Log — review a detailed history of activity on your hosts, with filtering and search.
• More reliable connections — improved peer-to-peer connectivity and automatic recovery, so terminals reconnect faster and stay stable.
• Smoother terminal — better input handling, command history, and session resume.
• Various bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.0 — 2026-05-24

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-11-05.*