Umbra

Umbra is an autonomous AI agent that operates Android apps and builds software in a Linux environment.

Umbra is an autonomous AI agent that lives on your Android phone and operates apps while you work. It reads your screen, taps, types, scrolls, opens apps, reads notifications, and verifies its own actions. The app includes a Debian Linux environment where it writes and builds code using tools like bash, git, Python, and Bun. Work can run in an invisible background display so you can continue using your phone. It supports models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, OpenRouter, and OpenAI-compatible servers. You stay in control with approvals required for risky actions such as payments and deleting data.

Umbra at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: Android, macOS, Linux, self-hosted, open source
Pricing: Free software under the MIT License
Released: November 2026
Category: AI agent tool
Website: github.com/chengmatt416/umbra

Key features

Operates Android apps by reading screens, tapping, and typing
Runs a Debian Linux environment with bash, git, Python, and Bun
Executes tasks in an invisible background display
Supports models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and OpenRouter
Requires user approval for risky actions and settings
Resumes persistent sessions after crashes or restarts
Connects remote computers as execution nodes

Use it for

Automate repetitive tasks across Android applications
Write and build software inside a pocket Linux environment
Delegate coding tasks to background sessions
Manage files and git repositories from a mobile device

Alternatives to Umbra

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Astrbot For Android — Manages AstrBot and NapCat locally on Android without root access.
OpenMinis — Runs an on-device Linux shell, browser automation, and deep system integrations.
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OpenGUI — Automates real Android apps using an open-source AI mobile operator.
Rakazo — Complete ownership of data, models, and execution environment.
PhoneClaw — It executes AI agent tasks and system tool calls entirely on-device.
Permaura — Enforces user-defined rules and device-signed approvals for AI actions across connected apps.

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