For any given job on Linux, there’s more likely to be not less than one good command-line app and one good GUI app. Nonetheless, a middle-ground exists between the visible, mouse-driven GUIs and the text-heavy terminal applications. These TUI (textual content person interface) apps are engaging, straightforward to make use of, and really quick.

1

ncdu: Examine Disk Area

Ncdu is without doubt one of the most established and standard fashionable TUI apps. The “nc” in its title stands for “ncurses,” a library that underpins many text-based apps. Ncdu is the ncurses model of du, a normal Linux command-line device that reports disk usage. Right here’s a fundamental instance of du output:

        $ du -skh /usr/share
235M	/usr/share

    

In distinction, Ncdu has an interactive show, which implies you possibly can simply discover the leads to extra depth:

Use the arrow keys to navigate and uncover precisely which recordsdata and directories are taking on probably the most house in your disk. Ncdu nonetheless exhibits the entire disk utilization of the listing you run it in opposition to. Nonetheless, this system additionally allows you to examine subdirectories, making it a lot simpler to determine and delete problematic recordsdata. You too can type directories by the variety of objects they include, which can show you how to observe down the worst offenders.

2

btop: Monitor Processes

btop is one other fashionable model of a classic tool: top. high is a TUI app itself, however btop has some important enhancements. Run the device and also you’ll see a dashboard containing panels with data on working processes, cpu load, reminiscence use, disk house, and community site visitors:

btop makes glorious use of particular characters and colours to attract its graphs. It’s extremely configurable from an in-app menu that offers you entry to themes, toggles for particular person panels, and many various information settings. Plus, btop makes your terminal look lots just like the mockups in each film Hollywood has ever made about hacking or our on-line world. For what that’s value.

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3

Bagels: Observe Bills

Bagels is extra like an app than a small device or utility. It permits you to observe your bills, plot your spending on a graph, observe your funds by date, manage prices by class, and rather more.

Like btop, Bagels presents an interface with a number of panels that imitates a GUI. It has mouse assist, together with scrolling, and works significantly properly in full-screen mode. The app is in lively improvement with an in depth roadmap.

Bagels shops all of your information in a single SQLite file so it’s potential to export it and transfer to a unique app when you select.

4

Posting: Take a look at APIs

Many web sites present an API for automated access to their information and performance. For those who’re a programmer, you possibly can perform a variety of duties by leveraging an API or two, particularly when it’s essential to supply information from a number of areas. A shopper may help you discover an API, take a look at its endpoints, and study the information it returns, all with out having to put in writing any code.

For many people, Postman is the ultimate API client, however you’ll want to join an account to make use of it. Posting is the closest factor I’ve discovered to a command-line equal, with out the login requirement.

Posting allows you to save API calls to native textual content recordsdata in yaml format. This makes it straightforward to maintain observe of calls you wish to repeat and the textual content format is straightforward to work with in any textual content editor. You’ll be able to even write Python scripts to control requests or responses immediately in Posting.

The app has fundamental mouse assist to navigate its complete interface, with tabs just like the dev instruments interface in Google Chrome.

5

Fx: Examine JSON Knowledge

When you’ve extracted information from an API—or elsewhere—you’ll wish to examine it. Most APIs present their information in the JSON format, which is straightforward to learn in small doses, however can shortly turn into unmanageable. Enter Fx.

Fx shows a JSON file in a extremely readable format, even when the unique file is a large number. It allows you to shortly navigate via the information, with instructions to break down and develop nested arrays or objects. You’ll be able to seek for particular information. With its JavaScript integration, you possibly can write scripts and use Fx to course of JSON with out utilizing a full programming atmosphere.

Like many TUIs, Fx appears fairly fundamental at first and it’s straightforward to make use of out of the field. However, beneath, this program has a whole lot of energy for individuals who want it.

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6

Castero: Hearken to Podcasts

Listening to a podcast is an inherently aural exercise, so that you’ll desire a shopper to get out of the way in which for probably the most half. Thankfully, Castero does precisely that, offering a minimal interface that permits you to meet up with your podcasts in a terminal. Its three columns—for feeds, episodes, and metadata—mirror a tried-and-tested structure whose affect goes proper again to early variations of iTunes.

Castero hasn’t been up to date not too long ago, and a few podcasts gate their entry behind third events like Spotify, so not each podcast on the market can be out there. Nonetheless, for the podcasts I wish to take heed to, Castero is lots faster and simpler than firing up a GUI app.

7

GitUI: Handle Git Repositories

Whether or not you’re a programmer or a fan of bleeding-edge open-source releases, you could end up utilizing git to trace file revisions. The command-line git device is highly effective, however it may be difficult to make use of. GitUI is a superb different.

You should use GitUI to examine adjustments, stage and commit them, change branches, or simply browse the contents of a repo. Whereas there’s no mouse assist, GitUI is extraordinarily responsive and works properly alongside a vim or emacs modifying session.

This choice solely skims the floor of what’s out there. I encourage you to take a look at Terminal Trove, a showcase of command-line and TUI apps. There are tons of of applications featured on the positioning, from electronic mail shoppers to Bluetooth managers and music gamers.