i have realized how to use wget to download website files to my phone. it's a little clunky but i've only got two files so far anyway so the clunkiness is ok. it's still best to just sync the website files between my puter and phone.
also i think this acode text editor just doesnt work nicely with my physical keyboard? which is a shame. means that if i want acode's preview, i have to avoid using a keyboard and stick to my thumbs. and/or i gotta figure out how to open an html file from termux (as my keyboard works fine w all other editors, incl. termux-emulated cli programs), that doesn't involve nginx or nodejs. sob emoji.
this strange behavior may be related to acode implementing its own editor. maybe it's an electron app so it doesnt use the android default textarea stuff.