Bananarchy Linux

Bananarchy is a keypad-first Linux distribution hardforked from postmarketOS (v26.06 / Alpine edge armv7), purpose-built for Qualcomm MSM8905 (Snapdragon 205) and Qualcomm MSM8909 (Snapdragon 210) smart feature phones with 240x320 QVGA non-touch displays and physical 12-key T9 keypads.

See The Bananarchy Manifesto for the rationale behind this entire project.

Bananarchy targets an ultra-lightweight Sxmo X11 (sxmo-de-dwm) environment (with all Wayland components removed), featuring:

• Cross-compiled Xlibre (X11Libre/xserver 25.2.0) display server: modesetting KMS + ShadowFB Damage partial-rectangle SPI transfers, software cursor fallback, and rootless elogind integration.
• Patched sxmo-dwm with native C/C++ plugin architecture: 240x320 vertical bstack layout, 24px Pango status bar with an overflow-protected right-aligned clock, transparent-backgrounded "Menu" and "Names" desktop softkey labels, direct C SW_LID slider and locked-key wake handling in < 2 ms, and a dynamic .so plugin API (dwm_plugin.h) with preloaded resident daemons (--preload) and non-blocking FIFO IPC (< 10 ms wakeup latency).
• Preloaded 240x320 keypad-driven DWM plugins (dmenu, xdrawer, dialer, calllog, callscreen, contacts, sms, files, camera, themes):
  • DMenu (dmenu.so / dmenu / xdmenu): zero-lag (< 2 ms popup/close) resident 240x320 full-screen 10-line vertical menu (240x296 flush below the 24px top bar) with a #383838 search bar, #005577 prompt badge, XIM fcitx5-t9 text input, in-place < 0.5 ms native Sxmo submenu transitions (Sys, Apps, Scripts, Modem, Config, Power, St, Nano), and a /tmp/dwm_plugin_dmenu.sock client interface serving all /usr/bin/dmenu and sxmo_dmenu.sh pipes instantaneously.
  • XDrawer (xdrawer.so / xdrawer): global phone controls overlay invoked from anywhere by pressing both softkeys simultaneously, providing instant sliders and toggles for speaker volume, earpiece volume, flashlight, sound mute, microphone mute, screen brightness, and keypad backlight.
  • Dialer (dialer.so / xdialer): opens automatically from the idle desktop when pressing any 0–9, *, or # key (inserting that character immediately), with live T9/number contact filtering, hold-0 for +, and single-press Call dialing.
  • Call Log (calllog.so / xcalllog): opens automatically from the idle desktop when pressing the Call (green) button, with All / Missed / In / Out tabs, contact resolution, call durations, and instant redial.
  • Call Screen (callscreen.so / xcallscreen): dedicated incoming, outgoing, and in-call screen integrated with Sxmo's ModemManager call lifecycle (sxmo_modem.sh, sxmo_modemcall.sh, sxmo_modemdial.sh), displaying resolved caller name and phone number, accepting/rejecting incoming calls via physical Call (green) and End (red) buttons (plus */0 ringtone silence), live MM:SS call timer, microphone mute/unmute (1/*), live call recording to ~/Recordings/call_<caller>_<timestamp>.wav (2/#), earpiece/speaker audio routing (3), volume control (Left/Right), and DTMF tone keypad mode (0 / Left softkey).
  • Contacts (contacts.so / xcontacts): full-featured phonebook application opened from the idle desktop via the Right softkey (Names) or from the Sxmo menu, integrated with ~/.config/sxmo/contacts.tsv (live T9/number search, call/SMS/dialer actions, built-in contact editor with keypad multi-tap name entry and recent-caller number picker, and contact deletion).
  • SMS Manager (sms.so / xsms): conversation thread manager, bubble message history reader, and multi-tap keypad SMS composer/draft editor (with dynamic Send / Draft center softkey action) integrated with $SXMO_LOGDIR/<number>/sms.txt, draft.txt, modemlog.tsv, and sxmo_modemsendsms.sh.
  • File Manager (files.so / xfiles): graphical directory browser with live T9/number filtering, dotfiles toggle (*), sort mode cycle (#), file operations (new folder/file, rename, copy, cut/move, paste, delete, properties, edit in nano, open terminal here), built-in text viewer, and built-in libjpeg/libpng image previewer.
  • Camera (camera.so / xcamera): live V4L2 /dev/video0 (800x600 RGB24 -> 240x180 4:3) viewfinder with 1-second frame watchdog, auto-flash (*/1), continuous torch (0/2), digital zoom (1x/2x/4x via Up/Down), 3-second self-timer (#/3), direct libjpeg photo capture to ~/Pictures/photo-YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS.jpg, and built-in photo gallery.
  • Theme Manager (themes.so / xthemes): unified .Xresources theme browser and live customizer managing ~/.xthemes/*.xth (where every .xth file is a valid Xresources file controlling theme.*, dwm.*, dmenu.*, st.*, and svkbd.* colors, font face, and baseFontSize with proportional derived font sizes, pre-populated with 20 themes: Default.xth, BananaGold.xth, CatppuccinLatte.xth, CatppuccinMocha.xth, Cyberpunk.xth, Dracula.xth, EverforestDark.xth, GitHubDark.xth, GruvboxDark.xth, GruvboxLight.xth, Kanagawa.xth, LinuxConsole.xth, MatrixGreen.xth, MonokaiPro.xth, NordFrost.xth, OneDark.xth, RosePine.xth, SolarizedDark.xth, SolarizedLight.xth, and TokyoNight.xth). Applying or editing a theme reloads dwm, dmenu, st, and all resident DWM plugins live without restarting X11.
• Patched sxmo-st terminal (pixelsize=18): HarfBuzz (libharfbuzz) OpenType ligature shaping (liga, calt, clig, dlig) and XIM support.
• Typography: non-Nerd Fira Code (font-fira-code) with ligatures as the primary system and terminal font (with DejaVu SansM Nerd Font used strictly as an icon fallback).
• Custom 6-mode fcitx5-t9 input engine: fixed bottom candidate bar (X=1, Y=290, W=238, H=30) with a constant 28-character monospace preedit layout supporting lowercase, one-shot Shift, Caps Lock, all 32 ASCII punctuation symbols, terminal control codes (^A-^Z, Esc, Tab, F1-F12), and direct numeric entry with live top-bar mode indication ([abc], [Abc], [ABC], [Sym], [Ctl], [123]).
• Low memory footprint: sub-95 MB idle RAM usage on 512 MB devices.
• Full Qualcomm QDSP6/Q6Voice audio & modem routing: loudspeaker, earpiece speaker, and internal/headset microphones with PM8909 WCD analog codec 2.8V micbias, +6 dB EAR PA gain, and GSM/WCDMA/LTE voice routing (ModemManager + q6voiced).
• Rear 2MP camera support: msm8905-cam V4L2 driver for GalaxyCore GC2395 + MSM8909 CAMSS on /dev/video0, native xcamera DWM plugin, and the bananarchy-photo CLI utility.
• Pre-integrated Bantam AI agent: cross-compiled from https://code.luxferre.top/luxferre/bantam-cpp and integrated into the Sxmo Apps menu (Applications -> Bantam, launching in an st terminal with $HOME as its default working directory).
• Complete on-device development & scripting stack: git, gcc/g++, make, GNU coreutils, nano ($EDITOR, pre-configured in /etc/nanorc with -FEDSMAGic/max%_T2), ed, less ($PAGER="less -RXF"), rlwrap, frotz (Z-machine interactive fiction interpreter), janet + jpm, perl + IO::Socket::SSL, tcl + tcllib/tcl-tls/sqlite-tcl, sqlite, i2c-tools, and v4l-utils.

---

Supported MSM8909 / MSM8905 devices

Device	Codename	SoC	CPU / RAM	Display & panel firmware	Device tree (.dtb)
Nokia 8110 4G	nokia-argon	Qualcomm MSM8905 (SD205)	2x Cortex-A7 @ 1.1 GHz, 512 MB	2.4" 240x320 SPI (nokia,argon-gc9305-v2-panel.bin)	qcom-msm8905-nokia-argon.dtb
Nokia 2720 Flip	nokia-beatles	Qualcomm MSM8905 (SD205)	2x Cortex-A7 @ 1.1 GHz, 512 MB	2.8" 240x320 SPI (nokia,beatles-gc9305-panel.bin)	qcom-msm8905-nokia-beatles.dtb
Nokia 800 Tough	nokia-tough (nokia-coconut)	Qualcomm MSM8905 (SD205)	2x Cortex-A7 @ 1.1 GHz, 512 MB	2.4" 240x320 SPI (nokia,coconut-gc9305-panel.bin)	qcom-msm8905-nokia-coconut.dtb
Nokia 8000 4G	nokia-sparkler	Qualcomm MSM8909 (SD210)	4x Cortex-A7 @ 1.1 GHz, 512 MB	2.8" 240x320 SPI (nokia,sparkler-gc9307-hlt-28-panel.bin)	qcom-msm8909-nokia-sparkler.dtb
Nokia 6300 4G (sibling)	nokia-leo	Qualcomm MSM8909 (SD210)	4x Cortex-A7 @ 1.1 GHz, 512 MB	2.4" 240x320 SPI (nokia,leo-gc9305-hlt-24-panel.bin)	qcom-msm8909-nokia-leo.dtb

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Repository structure

bananarchy/
├── README.md                              # Project architecture, build system, and quickstart guide
├── MANIFESTO.md                           # The Bananarchy Manifesto
├── MANUAL.md                              # Complete flashing, keypad, T9, camera, audio, Bantam, and modem manual
├── flash-edl.sh                           # Automated USB EDL flasher wrapper (sudo + ModemManager handling)
├── flash-edl.py                           # Multi-device Qualcomm Sahara/Firehose EDL flasher
├── rebuild-image.sh                       # Builds boot.img, MBR raw .img, and Android .sparse.img
├── chroot-shell.sh                        # Rootless Docker armv7 package & rootfs customization shell
├── artwork/                               # Bananarchy master icon, generated icons, wallpapers, and splashes
│   ├── icon-large.png                     # Master 1024x1024 Bananarchy emblem
│   ├── icon-{512..16}.png                 # Downsampled RGB square icons
│   ├── icon-transparent-{512..32}.png     # Alpha-keyed RGBA icons for UI themes
│   ├── favicon.ico                        # Multi-resolution ICO
│   ├── wallpaper-240x320.png / .jpg       # Default Sxmo 240x320 portrait wallpaper
│   ├── wallpaper-240x320-centered.png/.jpg# Centered 240x320 portrait wallpaper
│   ├── wallpaper-320x240.png / .jpg       # Landscape 320x240 QVGA wallpaper
│   ├── wallpaper-240x240.png              # Square 240x240 wallpaper (Nokia 2720 Flip external display)
│   ├── splash-240x320.png / .ppm          # 240x320 boot splash image
│   └── banner-800x240.png                 # Project header banner
├── bootloader/
│   ├── lk2nd-msm8909.img                  # lk2nd secondary bootloader for MSM8905/MSM8909
│   └── loaders/
│       └── 8110.mbn                       # Qualcomm Sahara/Firehose programmer (05c6:9008)
├── devices/                               # Device definitions, DTBs, and MIPI-DBI panel init sequences
│   ├── common-msm8909/                    # Shared udev keypad rules, WirePlumber S16LE, ALSA UCM2, zram
│   ├── nokia-argon/                       # Nokia 8110 4G device package, DTS/DTB, and GC9305 panel init
│   ├── nokia-beatles/                     # Nokia 2720 Flip device package, DTS/DTB, and GC9305 panel init
│   ├── nokia-tough/                       # Nokia 800 Tough device package, DTS/DTB, and GC9305 panel init
│   └── nokia-sparkler/                    # Nokia 8000 4G & 6300 4G device package, DTS/DTB, and GC9307/9305 init
├── patches/
│   ├── kernel/
│   │   ├── 0001-msm8909-qdsp6-voice-sound-nokia-argon-6.12.patch
│   │   ├── 0002-msm8905-nokia-beatles-and-coconut-dts.patch
│   │   └── config-bananarchy-msm8909.armv7
│   ├── edl/
│   │   └── 0001-edl-msm8909-32bit-elf-and-multi-cmd-firehose.patch
│   ├── sxmo/
│   │   └── 0001-bananarchy-sxmo-240x320-keypad-ui.patch
│   ├── xlibre/
│   │   ├── 0001-xlibre-msm8905-spi-drm-and-shared-vt.patch
│   │   ├── 0002-xf86-input-libinput-xlibre25.patch
│   │   └── 0003-xf86-video-fbdev-xlibre25.patch
│   └── fcitx5-t9/
│       └── 0001-bananarchy-multimode-t9-and-fcitx5-5.1.19.patch
├── src/
│   ├── sxmo-dwm/                          # Patched sxmo-dwm (240x320 bstack, Pango bar, desktop softkey bar & plugin API)
│   ├── dwm-plugins/                       # DWM plugins (dialer, calllog, callscreen, contacts, sms, files, camera, themes), theme.h & runner
│   ├── xdrawer/                           # XDrawer global phone controls DWM plugin (xdrawer.so / xdrawer)
│   ├── sxmo-dmenu/                        # Patched sxmo-dmenu zero-lag DWM plugin (dmenu.so) & client/fallback (dmenu / xdmenu)
│   ├── sxmo-st/                           # Patched sxmo-st terminal with HarfBuzz Fira Code ligature shaping & XIM
│   ├── xf86-input-libinput/               # X11Libre xf86-input-libinput DDX driver
│   ├── xf86-video-fbdev/                  # X11Libre xf86-video-fbdev fallback DDX driver
│   ├── fcitx5-t9/                         # C++20 source of Bananarchy's 6-mode fcitx5-t9 input method
│   ├── leds-msm8905-torch/                # Kernel driver for SY7807 rear torch LED, WCD codec init & PM8909 PON shutdown
│   └── msm8905-cam/                       # Kernel V4L2 driver for GC2395 2MP rear camera & MSM8909 CAMSS (/dev/video0)
├── overlay/
│   └── rootfs/                            # Complete Bananarchy rootfs overlay (OS branding, Sxmo X11, audio, camera, T9, .xthemes)
├── prebuilt/
│   ├── xlibre/                            # Prebuilt armv7 Xlibre Xorg binary and modesetting/libinput/fbdev DDX modules
│   ├── sxmo-x11/                          # Prebuilt armv7 patched dwm, dmenu.so/dmenu, 9 C++ DWM plugins, and st (HarfBuzz ligatures)
│   ├── kernel-6.12.1-msm8916/             # Prebuilt QDSP6/Q6Voice .ko, torch .ko, camera .ko, and 5 device DTBs
│   ├── fcitx5-t9/                         # Prebuilt armv7 libt9.so and fcitx5 addon/inputmethod configs
│   └── bantam/                            # Prebuilt armv7 bantam AI agent binary
└── scripts/
    ├── generate-artwork.py                # Generates all wallpapers, icons, and splashes from icon-large.png
    ├── mipi-dbi-cmd.py                    # Compiles MIPI-DBI panel .txt init sequences into .bin firmware
    ├── build-xlibre.sh                    # Cross-compiles Xlibre + xf86-input-libinput + xf86-video-fbdev for armv7 Cortex-A7
    ├── build-sxmo-x11.sh                  # Cross-compiles sxmo-st (HarfBuzz), sxmo-dmenu (dmenu.so + dmenu), sxmo-dwm & DWM plugins
    ├── build-kernel-audio.sh              # Cross-compiles Linux 6.12.1-msm8916 QDSP6/torch/camera modules & DTBs
    ├── build-fcitx5-t9.sh                 # Cross-compiles src/fcitx5-t9 for armv7
    ├── build-bantam.sh                    # Fetches master from https://code.luxferre.top/luxferre/bantam-cpp & cross-compiles for armv7
    ├── apply-bananarchy-overlay.sh        # Applies overlay, prebuilts, artwork, and device DTB to rootfs
    └── configure-rootfs-from-scratch.sh   # Full rootfs configuration script from base Alpine/pmOS packages

---

Build & customization workflow

1. Regenerate artwork assets

Whenever artwork/icon-large.png is updated, regenerate all icons, 240x320 wallpapers, and boot splashes:

./scripts/generate-artwork.py

2. Recompile core components (optional — prebuilts included)

All components are pre-compiled in prebuilt/ and overlay/rootfs/, and can be rebuilt from source at any time using rootless Docker (alpine:3.24):

# Rebuild cross-compiled Xlibre (X11Libre/xserver) + libinput/fbdev DDX drivers
./scripts/build-xlibre.sh

# Rebuild patched sxmo-st (HarfBuzz Fira Code ligatures), sxmo-dmenu (dmenu.so + dmenu), sxmo-dwm & all 8 DWM plugins
./scripts/build-sxmo-x11.sh

# Rebuild multi-mode fcitx5-t9 input engine (src/fcitx5-t9 -> prebuilt/fcitx5-t9)
./scripts/build-fcitx5-t9.sh

# Fetch latest master from https://code.luxferre.top/luxferre/bantam-cpp and cross-compile Bantam AI agent
./scripts/build-bantam.sh

# Rebuild Linux 6.12.1-msm8916 QDSP6/Q6Voice audio modules, torch LED module, camera module & DTBs
./scripts/build-kernel-audio.sh

3. Customize rootfs packages or configs

./chroot-shell.sh
# Inside the container shell:
#   pkg-add <pkg>
#   pkg-del <pkg>
#   pkg-search <pattern>

4. Build flashable device images

# Build for Nokia 8110 4G (default)
./rebuild-image.sh nokia-argon

# Or build for Nokia 2720 Flip, Nokia 800 Tough, or Nokia 8000 4G:
./rebuild-image.sh nokia-beatles --mkinitfs
./rebuild-image.sh nokia-tough --mkinitfs
./rebuild-image.sh nokia-sparkler --mkinitfs

Output images are written to images/:

• images/bananarchy-<device>.img (raw partitioned MBR image for EDL userdata or microSD card)
• images/bananarchy-<device>.sparse.img (Android sparse image for fastboot flash userdata)
• images/boot-bananarchy-<device>.img (kernel + initramfs + DTB boot image)

---

Flashing via USB EDL (05c6:9008)

sudo ./flash-edl.sh nokia-argon

See MANUAL.md for complete EDL, Fastboot, and microSD installation instructions, keypad navigation shortcuts, and the multi-mode T9 reference.

Credits

All Bananarchy-specific components were initially created by Luxferre and released into the public domain with no warranties.

Alpine Linux, postmarketOS/Nura and other third-party components are guided by their respective licensing terms.