nux, art is whatever you want it to be.

It could be displaying ASCII-converted images or creating your own elaborate 3D-line sketches using turtle graphics.

It can even be a bonsai tree growing in your terminal window.

Terminal window showing the manual page for the Mutt email client on Linux

TheFIGlet websitehas a number of these font files for you to download.

2aafire

No need to get chilly in the terminal.

Runningaafire -driver curseswill fill your terminal window with a simulated ASCII open fire.

Tux mascot jumping from Windows to Linux.

If you set up your terminal colors correctly, youll make it look pretty fiery, too.

Youll need to drop in the aalib library first.

Just runsudo apt install aalibto do this on anUbuntu or Debian-based system.

A Linux terminal with Tux holding a paintbrush behind it.

Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek

3cbonsai

A real bonsai tree takes years of dedication and growth.

Install it usingsudo apt install cbonsaion Debian or Ubuntu systems.

4aview & asciiview

You cant usually view an image from the terminal window itself.

The Figlet command showing an example ‘How-To Geek’ message in an Ubuntu terminal.

Its text-based, so thats usually impossible.

You have two options.

This will allow you to run this command:

This will show it as an ASCII image.

The aafire command running in an Ubuntu terminal.

Alternatively, you’re able to skip this entirely and use the sister command asciiview.

This will automatically convert the file for you to view, skipping the convert section.

On Debian and Ubuntu systems, install this command using thesudo apt install aviewcommand.

The cbonsai command running in the Ubuntu terminal with a ‘This is How-To Geek’s Tree!’ message attached.

Youll also need ImageMagick installed to convert the file, so usesudo apt install imagemagickto do this.

It has a few benefits over Figlet, though.

you could also use Figlet fonts (like those found on theFiglet website) using the -fflag.

Using the convert and aview commands to convert a PNG file into a PGM file, then showing the ASCII-converted PGM file using aview.

For example:

Install it with a quicksudo apt install toiletcommand on Ubuntu and Debian-based systems.

This should be preinstalled, so you wont need to install anything as long as you have Python installed.

TheReal Python websitehas a very detailed tutorial on how to get started with turtle in Python, too.

The asciiview command in the Ubuntu terminal, with the converted image in a separate window

7cowsay

The cowsay command is very simple.

Its an ASCII cow, and it says whatever you want it to say.

Install it usingsudo apt install cowsayon Debian or Ubuntu systems.

The toilet command in Linux, showing ASCII text with the message How-To Geek.

8lolcat

The terminal can be a very boring place.

Why not brighten things up with a bit of color?

One good way to do this is to use the lolcat command.

Using the Turtle library in Python and using it to draw a spiral effect using turtle graphics.

Itll take any input you have and print the output in rainbow colors.

Itll print to the terminal in color.

it’s possible for you to also pipe the output from any other commands to do the same.

The cowsay command in Linux, showing the message ‘This is How-To Geek!'

For instance,ps | lolcatwill display your running processes with the same rainbow color effect.

Install this by typingsudo apt install lolcatinto the terminal on Ubuntu or Debian-based distributions.

9cmatrix

Pretend youre a simple programming drone stuck in the Matrix using thecmatrixcommand.

The lolcat example in the Linux terminal, printing a text file.

If youve seen the Matrix films, youll know what to expect.

Runsudo apt install cmatrixon Ubuntu or Debian-based systems to install it.

Its surprisingly simple to enjoy art in the terminal on Linux.

The ps command in Linux piped to the lolcat command, providing an output that is multicolored.

GIMP is just onegood Photoshop alternativeyou can try out on Linux.

The cmatrix command in the Ubuntu terminal.