TUIs

A text user interface (TUI) is a user interface that presents information and accepts input primarily through text within a terminal or console. TUIs differ from graphical user interfaces by lacking traditional windowed graphics, and from simple command-line interfaces by offering interactive widgets such as menus, forms, and panels that can be navigated with a keyboard.

TUIs are typically built on terminal libraries that manage text rendering, colors, and input events. The most common foundation is the curses family of libraries (such as ncurses), sometimes wrapped by higher-level frameworks in various programming languages. These libraries enable features like windows and panels, menus, text fields, progress bars, and layout managers, along with support for mouse input in capable terminals.

Historically, TUIs emerged with character-based terminals in the 1980s and 1990s and remain prevalent in environments where graphical interfaces are impractical. They power many system administration tools and development utilities. Classic examples include text editors with full-screen interfaces, such as vim, and system monitors like htop, file managers like Midnight Commander, and terminal multiplexers such as tmux and screen. Shell-script tools often use dialog or whiptail to present simple TUI prompts.

Advantages of TUIs include low resource usage, local or remote operability through SSH, and scriptability or automation potential. They are well suited to environments without graphical desktops or with limited bandwidth. Limitations include a steeper learning curve, reliance on terminal capabilities, and constraints on visual richness compared to graphical interfaces. As a result, TUIs remain popular for servers, embedded devices, and workflow-focused applications where reliability and efficiency are paramount.