typecat - A smart, lifelike text typer for your terminal ✍️

About

typecat is a fast, lightweight and highly configurable command-line tool written in C++ (C++17) that displays text as if it were being typed in real time. It reads from files, stdin (pipes) or direct text arguments and renders output with realistic timing, optional typos, ANSI escape handling and line numbering.

It’s a fun and useful alternative to classic cat and modern bat/batcat — great for demos, screencasts, teaching, script testing or just spicing up your terminal output. Portable and easy to build on Linux, Termux and other Unix-like systems.

Features

• Realistic character-by-character typing simulation with configurable speed.
• Optional random typos with adjustable probability.
• Proper handling of ANSI escape sequences (render colors) or textual representation of escapes.
• Line numbers (dimmed) and continued line prefix support.
• Read from file, stdin (pipe) or -t/--text inline arguments.
• Binary input detection with --show-all override.
• Audible bell on errors (optional).
• Robust, deterministic POSIX signal handling (SIGINT, SIGTERM, SIGQUIT, SIGHUP, SIGWINCH).
• Debug mode for runtime diagnostics.
• Minimal external dependencies — just a C++17 toolchain.

Installation

Installation

Install dependencies / Setup environment

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential g++ git

Arch / Manjaro

sudo pacman -Syu --needed base-devel gcc git

Fedora / RHEL / CentOS

sudo dnf install -y gcc-c++ make git

# for older RHEL/CentOS: 
sudo yum install -y gcc-c++ make git

Alpine Linux

sudo apk add build-base git

Termux (Android)

pkg update && pkg upgrade
pkg install git clang make

The above installs the necessary C++ build tools and Git to fetch the source.

Clone repository and build

git clone https://github.com/BuriXon-code/typecat
cd typecat

Build with g++

g++ -std=c++17 -O2 main.cpp -o typecat
chmod +x typecat

Usage

Note

typecat expects a TTY on stdout/stderr for full behavior. Using it with redirected output may fail unless reading from stdin (piped input) is intended.

Options (summary)

Option	Description
-s, --speed <1-100>	Typing speed (default 50). Higher = faster / shorter delays.
-m, --mistakes [1-100]	Enable random typos. Optionally give chance as percent (default 10).
-c, --color	Interpret ANSI escape sequences (show colors).
-e, --print-escapes	Print ANSI escapes textually as \e[...] instead of interpreting them.
-b, --beep	Emit BEL on error conditions.
-t, --text <string>	Add a text line to display (multiple -t allowed).
-a, --show-all	Force showing input even if it looks binary.
-n, --line-numbers	Prepend dimmed line numbers.
-r, --allow-resize	Ignore SIGWINCH (allow terminal resize while typing).
--debug	Print debug info to stderr (useful for troubleshooting).
-h, --help	Show help and exit.
-v, --version	Show version and exit.
--codes	Show list of exit codes and signal handling info.

Examples

Simple: type a file slowly (default settings)

./typecat file.txt

Type a file with colors interpreted:

./typecat -c file_with_ansi.txt

Faster typing with random mistakes (15% chance):

./typecat -m 15 -s 75 file.txt

Inline text lines (no file):

./typecat -t \"Hello, world!\" -t \"This is typed.\"

Pipe output from another program:

echo \"live output\" | ./typecat -s 60

Show line numbers and colored output:

./typecat -n -c file.txt

Force display of file that appears binary:

./typecat -a suspicious.bin

Debug mode:

./typecat --debug -c file.txt

License

typecat is released under the GPL v3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0).

This license ensures that the software remains free and open-source. You are free to use, modify, and distribute it, but there are obligations to follow.

You can:

• Use the program for personal, educational, or commercial purposes.
• Modify the source code to suit your needs.
• Share your modified or unmodified version of the program.
• Include it in other GPL-compatible projects.

You cannot:

• Remove the original copyright notice and license.
• Distribute the software under a proprietary license.
• Claim the program as entirely your own work.
• Impose additional restrictions beyond GPLv3 when redistributing.

Note

In short, GPLv3 allows freedom to use and modify, but ensures that the same freedoms are preserved for all downstream users.

Support

Contact me:

For any issues, suggestions, or questions, reach out via:

• Email: support@burixon.dev
• Contact form: Click here
• Bug reports: Click here

Support me:

If you find this script useful, consider supporting my work by making a donation:

Donations

Your contributions help in developing new projects and improving existing tools!