Linux Candy

Linux Candy: Boxes – command line ASCII boxes

Last Updated on May 25, 2022

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Linux Candy is a series of articles covering interesting eye candy software. We only feature open-source software in this series.

Boxes is a command line program that draws a wide variety of boxes around input text. In essence, it’s a text filter, and works together with a text editor. Most major text editors support filters, including Vim, Emacs, and Jed. It can also be run from the command line as a standalone tool.

Filters are software that read input text from standard input, modify that text, and write the new text to standard output.

Boxes can draw shapes ranging from simple boxes to complex ASCII art.

Installation

You may find a packages for Boxes in your distribution’s repositories. For example, there’s a package for Boxes in the Arch User Repository. But if you need to compile the source code, the steps are very straightforward.

$ git clone https://github.com/ascii-boxes/boxes.git
$ cd boxes
$ make
$ sudo cp doc/boxes.1 /usr/share/man/man1/boxes.1
$ sudo cp boxes-config /etc/boxes-config
$ sudo cp src/boxes /usr/bin/boxes

Next page: Page 2 – In Operation

Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Introduction / Installation
Page 2 – In Operation
Page 3 – Summary


Complete list of articles in this series:

Linux Candy
ASCIIQuariumEmbrace marine life from the terminal with beautiful ASCII art
ASCII Art ConverterA small utility that converts images into ASCII art
BobRossQuotesCollection of quotes from Bob Ross
BoxesCommand line ASCII boxes
BuohOnline strips comics reader
cacafireColor ASCII fire
catclockxclock with an enhanced cat mode
cbonsaiGenerate bonsai trees in the terminal
christmasfetchFestive cheer on the desktop
chucknorrisChuck Norris jokes in your terminal
cornyjokesCorny jokes for the terminal
CMatrixncurses program that simulates the display from “The Matrix”
ctreeA Christmas tree right on your terminal
eDEX-UISci-fi computer terminal emulator and system monitor
emojSimple tool that to find suitable emojis for pasting to your clipboard
EmoteModern popup emoji picker
EvolvotronInteractive generative art
FondoFind beautiful wallpapers from Unsplash
gtiTypo-based curio inspired by Steam Locomotive
HollywoodFill your console with Hollywood melodrama technobabble
linuxwaveGenerate music from the entropy of Linux
lolcatRainbows and unicorns
No More SecretsRecreates the data decryption effect from the Sneakers movie
nyancatTerminal-based Pop Tart Cat Animation
onekoAnimal chasing fun
pipes.shAnimated pipes terminal screensaver
ponysaycowsay reimplemention for ponies
projectMMusic visualizer originally based on Milkdrop
pscircleA different take on the venerable ps command
pyjokesOne line jokes for programmers
PywalGenerate color schemes on the fly
RelaxatorRelax to soothing sounds
Rusty AquariumMonitoring by visualization
Steam LocomotiveC program written in 295 lines. It's harmless fun
TernimalAnimated lifeform in the terminal
terminal-parrotParty parrot time
tetrisTile-matching puzzle video game in your terminal
VarietyWallpaper manager with many desktops and wallpaper sources
WallGenGenerate HQ poly wallpapers with a few arguments.
WallpaperDownloaderDownload, change, and manage wallpapers
xcowsayDisplays a cow on your desktop with message
XDecorationsAdd some festive cheer to your desktop
XScreenSaverFramework and collection of screensavers
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