I've been experimenting with a mobile development setup that lets me code and ship from anywhere, using just my iPhone. Here's the stack that makes it possible.

The Setup

My workflow consists of three key components:

1. Google Cloud VM - A virtual machine running in the cloud that serves as my development environment
2. Terminus (iOS) - A powerful terminal app for iPhone that connects to remote servers via SSH
3. OpenCode - An AI-powered coding assistant that runs in the terminal

Why This Works

The beauty of this setup is that all the heavy lifting happens on the cloud VM. My phone is just a thin client that sends commands and displays output. This means:

• No need for a powerful local machine
• My development environment is always available from any device
• I can pick up exactly where I left off, whether I'm on my phone, tablet, or laptop

Terminus on iOS

Terminus is surprisingly capable for a mobile terminal. It supports:

• SSH key authentication
• Multiple sessions
• Customizable keyboard with extra keys for coding
• Smooth scrolling and responsive input

The extra keyboard row with common programming characters (brackets, pipes, etc.) makes typing code much more bearable on a phone screen.

OpenCode: The Game Changer

The real magic happens with OpenCode. Instead of typing out every line of code manually on a phone keyboard, I can describe what I want to build and let OpenCode do the heavy lifting. It can:

• Read and understand existing codebases
• Write and edit files
• Run commands and fix errors
• Handle complex refactoring tasks

This transforms mobile coding from a painful exercise in thumb-typing to a conversational experience where I guide the AI through the changes I want to make.

Typical Workflow

1. SSH into my Google Cloud VM using Terminus
2. Navigate to my project directory
3. Launch OpenCode
4. Describe the feature I want to build or the bug I need to fix
5. Review the changes and iterate as needed
6. Commit and push

Is It Practical?

For quick fixes, code reviews, and small features - absolutely. I've shipped real code from coffee shops, airports, and even while waiting in line. It's not going to replace a proper desk setup for intensive work, but for staying productive on the go, it's a game changer.

The combination of cloud computing, a solid mobile terminal, and AI assistance has made truly mobile development a reality.

This post was written and deployed entirely from an iPhone.