Support system ripgrep on Android (Termux)

[igorgatis]

Problem

On Android (Termux), the postinstall script fails when trying to download prebuilt ripgrep binaries due to:

• Platform compatibility issues with prebuilt binaries
• The getTarget() function throws "Unknown platform: android"
• Network restrictions and architecture support limitations in Android environments

Current Behavior

When running npm install on Android, the postinstall script fails with:

Error: Unknown platform: android
    at getTarget (/path/to/lib/postinstall.js:49:24)

Proposed Solution

Add Android platform detection to use system-installed ripgrep via symlink before falling back to downloads. This leverages the well-maintained ripgrep package available in Termux.

Code Implementation

Add this logic to the main() function in lib/postinstall.js:

// Handle Android specially - try to use system ripgrep if available
if (os.platform() === 'android') {
    console.log('Android detected, checking for system ripgrep...');
    try {
        const result = await exec('which rg');
        const systemRgPath = result.stdout.trim();
        if (systemRgPath) {
            console.log(`Found system ripgrep at ${systemRgPath}`);
            const targetRgPath = path.join(BIN_PATH, 'rg');

            // Remove existing symlink/file if it exists
            try {
                await util.promisify(fs.unlink)(targetRgPath);
            } catch (err) {
                // Ignore error if file doesn't exist
            }

            // Create symlink to system ripgrep
            await util.promisify(fs.symlink)(systemRgPath, targetRgPath);
            console.log(`Created symlink from ${targetRgPath} to ${systemRgPath}`);
            return;
        }
    } catch (err) {
        console.log('System ripgrep not found, falling back to download...');
    }
}

Benefits of This Approach

• Reliability: Uses Termux's well-tested ripgrep package that works across Android devices
• Performance: Native builds optimized for the specific Android environment
• Compatibility: Avoids architecture and library compatibility issues with prebuilt binaries
• Maintenance: Leverages Termux package management for updates and security patches
• Graceful fallback: Still attempts download if system ripgrep unavailable

Testing

Tested on Android (Termux) with system ripgrep available:

• ✅ Detects Android platform correctly
• ✅ Finds system ripgrep at /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/rg
• ✅ Creates symlink successfully
• ✅ Symlinked ripgrep works correctly (rg --version shows expected output)
• ✅ Handles existing symlinks by removing them first

Installation Instructions for Users

On Android/Termux, users should install ripgrep first:

pkg install ripgrep

Then install vscode-ripgrep normally:

npm install vscode-ripgrep

The postinstall script will automatically detect and use the system ripgrep.