docs: document Android phantom process killer fix for Termux nodes#4
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bgorzelic wants to merge 1 commit into
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docs: document Android phantom process killer fix for Termux nodes#4bgorzelic wants to merge 1 commit into
bgorzelic wants to merge 1 commit into
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Android 12+ caps apps at 32 phantom (forked child) processes and kills the excess, causing silent gateway/sshd deaths on Termux even with a wake lock. Add a Performance Optimizations section with the adb fix (disable settings_enable_monitor_phantom_procs, pin device_config so Play Services can't reset it) plus a Troubleshooting table row. Applied and verified on the Pixel 10a (Android 16) on 2026-07-15.
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What
Adds section 8 ("Disable the Android Phantom Process Killer") to OPTIMIZATION-GUIDE.md under Performance Optimizations Applied, plus a matching Troubleshooting table row.
Why
Android 12+ limits apps to 32 phantom (forked child) processes and kills the excess. Termux running openclaw-gateway, sshd, crond, and watchdog scripts can trip this cap, causing silent gateway deaths even with a wake lock held and battery optimization disabled. The guide previously had no mention of this failure mode.
The fix documented
adb shell settings put global settings_enable_monitor_phantom_procs false adb shell device_config set_sync_disabled_for_tests persistent adb shell device_config put activity_manager max_phantom_processes 2147483647Verify with
adb shell dumpsys activity settings | grep phantom.Applied and verified on the Pixel 10a (Android 16) on 2026-07-15.