Shell: available in Safe Mode #77

New Issue

2026-10-07T08:33:38Z

twisla commented

2026-10-07 08:33:38 +00:00

Follow-up to #67 (Q211). The Shell App runs the console's commands on the device's own screen and keyboard, but Safe Mode starts no Apps at all, not even the Launcher: after three crashes in a row the device shows one line and waits for an update over Wi-Fi, USB or the Debug Console.

A device in Safe Mode with no PC nearby and the Debug Console off has no way to say why it crashed, or to be told anything. The Shell there would give it one: crash, info, wifi status, wifi add, debug on, reboot, boot other.

Questions for a design round:

Safe Mode exists because something crashed three times; the less it starts, the more likely it comes up. The Shell needs the key mapper, the canvas and the widgets, which the Safe Mode screen partly uses already. Does it need the App manager, or can the Shell run alone as Safe Mode's only screen?
Which commands: the short list safeModeCommand already allows over the consoles, or fewer?
How is it reached: is the Shell the Safe Mode screen itself, or behind a key?

Done when (to be refined): a device in Safe Mode, with no network and no cable, can show its last crash and be restarted into the other slot from its own keyboard.

Follow-up to #67 (Q211). The Shell App runs the console's commands on the device's own screen and keyboard, but **Safe Mode starts no Apps at all**, not even the Launcher: after three crashes in a row the device shows one line and waits for an update over Wi-Fi, USB or the Debug Console. A device in Safe Mode with no PC nearby and the Debug Console off has no way to say why it crashed, or to be told anything. The Shell there would give it one: `crash`, `info`, `wifi status`, `wifi add`, `debug on`, `reboot`, `boot other`. **Questions for a design round:** - Safe Mode exists because something crashed three times; the less it starts, the more likely it comes up. The Shell needs the key mapper, the canvas and the widgets, which the Safe Mode screen partly uses already. Does it need the App manager, or can the Shell run alone as Safe Mode's only screen? - Which commands: the short list `safeModeCommand` already allows over the consoles, or fewer? - How is it reached: is the Shell the Safe Mode screen itself, or behind a key? **Done when (to be refined):** a device in Safe Mode, with no network and no cable, can show its last crash and be restarted into the other slot from its own keyboard.

twisla added this to the S1 System basics milestone 2026-10-07 08:33:38 +00:00

twisla added the

kind

feature

area/apps area/ota-debug

labels 2026-10-07 08:33:38 +00:00

twisla referenced this issue

2026-10-07 08:53:33 +00:00