From nookDevs

Part of the NookColor portal

The following instructions are for advanced individuals who wish to experiment with the command line via SSH and/or manually install apps. Please note that this is not the recommended way to install applications.

Contents 1 There are two ways to get shell access on the NC. 1.1 ADB Shell Access 1.2 SSH Linux Shell Access 1.2.1 To access a linux boot environment, from which you can modify the nook filesystem:

There are two ways to get shell access on the NC.

You can use the linux environment from the microSD patch, or you can use ADB to get native access the the nook when it is running. Note that the native command shell on the nook is missing most common utilities, e.g. tail, less, more, vi, scp, etc... You can, however, use it to get a feel of the filesystem layout, mv files about and such.

ADB Shell Access

Note: There is no way to install apps via the local shell. It can be useful for hacking the stock app files, though.

The shell can be accessed via ADB accessed simply by booting the nook as normal (after patching to enable ADB, as above), and then running

$./adb shell

SSH Linux Shell Access

To access a linux boot environment, from which you can modify the nook filesystem:

Note: Linux shell access requires that the nook be running off of the boot from the custom sd card image produced above through step three. Linux shell access can not currently be gained when the nook has been booted normally.

For Linux and OSX, a new network device should appear. You should make sure your OS is set to DHCP from that device. For Windows users, you'll need PuTTY or some other SSH client and to install the driver here: NookColor_USB_RNDIS

Boot the NC from the microSD card as per the above instructions through step 3. Your computer should now detect a new ethernet device connected to USB. Leave the NookColor running on the SD card boot for any of the following.

Connect to the NC with ssh with the following command.

$ ssh 

• Because a new key is generated each time, you may need to remove the old key; to remove the old key use the command

  ssh-keygen -R 192.168.2.2

• When prompted for a password, press ENTER.

• You are now in a small Linux ramdisk. (This is not Android, but has access to it)

You can copy the apk files for the apps you want to install on the nook into the app folder on the nook using SCP.

• First you'll have to mount the nook filesystem. In the ssh session,

  • # mount /dev/mmcblk1p6 /mnt

  • (This is Android's "/data" directory)
• Start a new terminal on the linux box Do not close the terminal you already have that is ssh'ed into the nook. This is a seperate process.
• Navigate to the location of the apks you downloaded
• Execute the following command for each apk you wish to install.

  • # scp  :/mnt/app/

  • Where is the file name of the apks you with to install
• When prompted for a password, just hit ENTER

You will need to change the mode of the app files

• Switch back to the SSH terminal session.
• Execute the following command

  • # chmod ugo+r /mnt/app/*

When you are done working in the SSH environment, reboot your NookColor.

• Make sure you have unmounted any filesystems you may have mounted. Minimally:

  umount /dev/mmcblk1p6 

• Still in the SSH terminal window

  • # reboot

• Remove the microSD card. Power on your nook by long pressing the power button (for atleast 10 or so seconds) twice. You can stop pressing when the LCD flashes.

Your apps should appear in Extras (or in your custom launcher if installed)