Imagine being engrossed in a phone coding session, feeling like a mobile development prodigy, when all of a sudden—bam! You are hit hard by the dreaded “no such file or directory” error. Does that sound familiar? I’ve been there, so don’t worry. Allow me to explain why this occurs and how to permanently eradicate it.
What’s Really Going On? (The Real Story)
Here’s the thing—Termux is amazing, but it’s not magic. When you see that error, your system is basically saying: “Hey, I can’t find what you’re looking for.” But why?
- You typed the path wrong (happens to the best of us)
- The file actually moved or got deleted (oops)
- Permissions are messed up (Linux being Linux)
- Your shebang line is pointing to nowhere (classic script issue)
- You’re trying to run the wrong architecture binary (ARM vs x86 confusion)
I once spent 2 hours debugging a script that wouldn’t run, only to realize I’d capitalized a “D” in “Downloads.” Termux cares about that stuff. Lesson learned.
Why This Error Crushes Your Flow
Look, this isn’t just annoying—it’s productivity poison:
- When your automation fails: You set up that cron job? Dead in the water
- Development halts: Not able to test your code or run your build scripts
- Toolchain interruptions: Python, Node.js, whatever—it won’t start at all
- Wasted hours: You’re debugging paths rather than writing code.
- Expert advice: Before starting any new scripts, always run pwd. You won’t have to worry about “where am I?” anymore.
Pro tip: Always run pwd before launching new scripts. It’ll save you from those “where am I?” moments.
The Fix: Your Step-by-Step Battle Plan
1. First Things First – Check Your Location
pwd
ls -laSeriously, half these errors disappear when you realize you’re in the wrong folder. I always start here.
2. Permissions – The Silent Killer
# Check permissions
ls -l myscript.sh
# Add execute permission
chmod +x myscript.sh
# Or if it's really stubborn
chmod 755 myscript.sh
Yeah, Linux permissions. They’re like that friend who won’t let you borrow their car unless you ask just right.
3. Update Everything (Because 2025)
pkg update && pkg upgrade -y
Old packages are like old milk—they’ll spoil your day. This command is your weekly maintenance routine.
4. The Shebang Fix (This One’s Gold)
# If your script starts with #!/usr/bin/python
termux-fix-shebang myscript.py
# Or manually edit the first line to:
#!/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/python
Most “bad interpreter” errors vanish after this. It’s like magic, but actually works.
5. When All Else Fails – The Nuclear Option
pkg uninstall python
pkg install python
Sometimes you just need to start fresh. No shame in it.
Real Examples That’ll Make You Go “Aha!”
Example 1: Python Script Won’t Run
Before:
$ ./hello.py
bash: ./hello.py: /usr/bin/python: bad interpreter: No such file or directory
After:
$ termux-fix-shebang hello.py
$ ./hello.py
Hello from Termux!
Example 2: Binary Won’t Execute
$ file mytool
mytool: ELF 64-bit LSB executable, x86-64, version 1 (SYSV)...
$ uname -m
aarch64
See the problem? x86 binary on ARM device. You need the ARM version or compile from source.
Quick Reference: Error Decoder Ring
td>exec format error
| Error Message | Fix | Command |
|---|---|---|
| no such file or directory | Check path exists | ls -la /path/to/file |
| bad interpreter | Fix shebang | termux-fix-shebang file |
| permission denied | Add execute | chmod +x file |
| Wrong architecture | file binary && uname -m |
Prevention: Stop This Before It Starts
- Always check your location: pwd && ls becomes muscle memory
- Use relative paths wisely: ./script.sh vs ~/scripts/script.sh
- Weekly updates: pkg update && pkg upgrade every Sunday
- Test scripts with: bash -x script.sh to see what’s happening
Your Developer Cheat Sheet
When you’re stuck, run these in order:
- pwd – Where am I?
- ls -la – What’s here?
- file scriptname – What type of file?
- chmod +x scriptname – Is it executable?
- termux-fix-shebang scriptname – Fix the interpreter
Still Stuck? Here’s Your Lifeline
Been through everything and still hitting walls? Here’s where the real Termux wizards hang out:
- Termux Wiki – Your bible
- GitHub Issues – Where bugs get squashed
- Stack Overflow – Because someone’s had your exact problem
Remember: every Termux power user has stared at this error. The difference? They learned the patterns. Now you have them too.
In summary, this error is bothersome, but it can be fixed. You’ll quickly return to coding if you follow the instructions and have faith in the process. Cheers to Termuxing!
