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no

no is the opposite of yes.

It behaves similarly to the Unix yes command, but:

Default Behavior

• Defaults to printing n infinitely if no arguments are provided.

Control Flags

• --times, -t: Limits repetitions (e.g., -t 5 prints 5 times).
• --interval, -i: Adds a fixed delay (in seconds) between each output.
• --jitter, -j: Adds a random delay (0 to N seconds) on top of the interval.
• --output, -o: Writes the output to one or multiple specified files, streams, or devices.
• --command, -cmd: Repeatedly executes a shell command and captures its output for each iteration.
• --random, -r: Picks a random string from a comma-separated list or template for each iteration.
• --skip: Ignores the first N items of a sequence, repetition, or template.
• --version, -v: Displays metadata or internal state information.
• --help, -h: Displays the help manual and usage instructions.
• --unique: Ensures every output of no is unique.

Sequences & Math

• --seq: Generates numeric (e.g., 1:10) or character (e.g., a:z) sequences.
• --step: Sets the increment/decrement value (supports decimals like 0.5).
• --cycle: Repeats sequences infinitely (requires a limit via -t).
• --pad: Zero-pads numeric output to a specific length (e.g., --pad 3 becomes 001).
• --precision: Sets fixed decimal places for floating-point numeric output.
• --calc: Performs arithmetic operations on numeric output (e.g., '+5', '*2').

Formatting & Visuals

• --format, -f: Applies a custom printf-style string (e.g., -f "ID-%s").
• --case: Transforms text case using upper, lower, or swap.
• --color / --style: Wraps output in ANSI color codes; supports named colors, hex codes, or style combinations (bold, underline, italic).
• --header: Prints a single designated line once before the main process begins.
• --prefix: Adds a specific string before every output item.
• --suffix: Adds a specific string after every output item.
• --width: Right-aligns the output to a fixed character width.
• --trim: Removes leading/trailing whitespace from output items.

Layout & Parsing

• -cols: Arranges the output into N columns using tabbed spacing.
• --separator, -s: Defines custom delimiters between items (defaults to \n).
• --count, -c: Prepends an incrementing line counter (e.g., 1: text).
• --template: Uses content from a file or string as the source text.
• --filter: Outputs only items matching a specified regular expression.
• --: Stops parsing flags; everything following is treated as literal text.
• --verify: Runs an internal suite of self-tests to ensure all logic functions correctly.

For practical examples and ways to use no, see the Use Cases page.

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Usage

$ no
n
n
n
...

$ no i hate mustard
i hate mustard
i hate mustard
...

# You can pass (multiple) arguments
$ no --example string --example2 string2 "output"

Comparison of no

The table below compares the no script with other common Unix utilities that generate repeated or sequential output.

Feature	no	yes	jot	seq	shuf
Infinite repetition	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌
Repetition count	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅
Custom string output	✅	✅	❌	✅	✅
Numeric sequence generation	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Character sequence generation	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Step/increment support	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Zero-padding	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Decimal precision formatting	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Random selection from list	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅
Execute command repeatedly	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Interval/delay between outputs	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Columns/custom separator	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
Supports negative step	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Alphabetical ranges(a..z)	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
Can repeat random items N times	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅
Random Jitter Delay	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Case(Upper/Lower/Swap)	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
ANSI Color Support	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
CSV/File Header Support	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Sequence Cycling	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Skip N Items	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Standard--flag=val Parsing	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Lightweight	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅

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Install & Uninstall (FreeBSD)

Step 1: Download the install script using fetch

fetch -o install.sh https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ihatemustard/no/refs/heads/main/install.sh

Step 2: Make the script executable

chmod +x install.sh

Step 3: Run the script as root (using doas or sudo)

./install.sh

• Installs the command to /usr/local/bin/no

To remove no, run the same script (also as root).

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Manual Installation & Removal (Linux + others)

Step 1: Download the no script

Step 2: Make it executable

chmod +x no.sh

Step 3: Move it to a directory in your PATH (requires root)

sudo mv no.sh /usr/local/bin/no

Step 4: Test it

no -h

To remove no, run:

sudo rm /usr/local/bin/no

Install no minimal (Not recommended)

Step 1: Download the no minimal script

Step 2: Complete all the steps listed above.

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Dependencies

• sh (POSIX-compliant shell, usually /bin/sh)
• awk, printf, od (for random logic)

To-Do

• Add Features from jot(1)
• TUI Installer
• Include help instead of using man
• Install through Wi-Fi and not locally in Installer
• Add Version Flag
• Add Count Flag
• Fix --command and --seperator flags
• Make parsing better
• Add --filter (filter or modify output)
• Support multiple targets with --output
• Add simple arithmetic operations
• Add improved ANSI Styling (Bold, underline, hex)
• Multi-line templates / --template support
• Update Use Cases page to latest
• Add flag --unique: Ensures every output of no is unique.
• Add flag --trim: Removes leading/trailing whitespace from output items.