How to Remote-Control an AI Coding Agent from Your Phone (BFBT Code + DTworkeasy)

Futong Dong — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:27:40 +0000

How to Remote-Control an AI Coding Agent from Your Phone

Most AI coding tools assume you are sitting at the keyboard. That is fine for deep work. It is awkward when you are away from the desk but still want to nudge a long-running task: fix a failing test, sketch a refactor, or ask the agent to keep going on a repo that already lives on your machine.

This post is a practical guide to phone-directed remote sessions: your AI coding agent stays on the PC; your phone sends instructions into that session. We will use BFBT Code (desktop / Linux TUI) and DTworkeasy (phone companion) from Dongfutong. Full disclosure: we build these products. The steps mirror our public docs.

Phone remote ≠ full remote desktop

You are not streaming the entire desktop (though some teams still do that with classic RDP/VNC). The model here is narrower:

The agent runs on your computer, with your folder and your API key.
The phone authenticates with the same account, pairs to that machine, and drives the agent conversation / tasks.
Execution happens on the PC. If the PC sleeps or logs out, the phone will show the device offline.

That is the product wedge: remote-control the AI coding assistant, not “replace the IDE from a phone keyboard.”

What you need

A free account on www.dtrony.com (used by both apps).
BFBT Code on the computer:
- Windows or macOS (Apple Silicon) desktop, or
- Linux terminal edition (bfbtcodetui)
A model API key from a provider you choose (membership does not include tokens).
DTworkeasy on your phone (Android APK from the site, or iOS via App Store).
The PC online, awake, and BFBT Code logged in on trial or membership (new accounts get a 90-day trial).

Docs hub: https://www.dtrony.com/docs

Step-by-step: Windows / macOS desktop remote

On the computer

Install BFBT Code from the download center and open a work folder.
Log in with your Dongfutong account.
Open Settings, pick a provider, paste your API key, save, and send a quick “hi” so you know the model replies.
Open the Remote panel → Enable remote connection and wait until the relay shows online.
Generate a pairing QR code (or use connection ID + remote password). QR codes expire in about two minutes—regenerate if needed.

Guide: Remote desktop

On the phone

Install DTworkeasy and log in with the same account.
Open My computers (or the device list in AI chat).
Scan the QR code, or paste a dtworkeasy://pair?... link.
Tap the bound computer → enter a remote session → choose workspace / session → send a task.

If the PC prompts for permission, approve it on the PC or phone so the task can continue.

Linux TUI path (short version)

On Linux, install the terminal client, log in, set the API key, then pair:

curl -fsSL 'https://www.dtrony.com/install-tui.sh' | sudo sh
bfbtcodetui
# after first login + API setup, optional daemon for always-on remote:
bfbtcodetui --daemon install
bfbtcodetui --daemon pair

Paste or scan the printed pair link in DTworkeasy. Details: Remote TUI and Install TUI.

Already using Cursor or Codex?

If those tools already run on your machine, optional DT Agent Bridge can stay resident and let DTworkeasy continue their sessions from the phone. Bridge does not sell models; usage stays with Cursor/Codex. See Agent Bridge.

What works well from a phone

Good fits:

“Continue the previous session and summarize where you left off.”
“Run the test file we were editing and paste the failure.”
“Draft a commit message for the current diff.”
Small, explicit tasks with a clear done condition.

Awkward fits:

Huge multi-file redesigns with no prior context on the PC session.
Anything that needs constant GUI clicking on the desktop (this is not a full VNC tutorial).

Pricing and expectations (please read)

BFBT Code desktop/TUI: trial or membership required.
Membership unlocks the software; you pay your model provider for tokens.
DTworkeasy: free for registered users.
Remote only works while the PC agent is on trial/membership and online.

Membership details: Membership benefits

Security hygiene

Turn remote off when you lend someone your phone.
For other accounts controlling your PC, use the whitelist described in the docs.
Treat API keys like passwords—never paste them into public chats or screenshots.
Read the privacy notes on the site before rolling this into a shared machine.

Wrap-up

If your AI coding agent already lives on a real workstation, putting a thin remote control on your phone is often more useful than pretending to code on a 6-inch screen. BFBT Code + DTworkeasy are one way to get there; the docs are public and we publish an llms.txt map for assistants.

Questions and “this step was confusing” reports help more than generic praise—drop them in the comments or via the site feedback form.

DEV Community: Futong Dong