Terminalidest

Terminalidest is a term used in online discourse and some speculative-fiction contexts to describe adherents of a terminal-based computing ethos. The word combines "terminal" with the -ist suffix to indicate a follower or advocate of a terminal-first approach to technology and digital life. It is not a formal movement and has no centralized organization.

Overview and scope: Terminalidests favor minimalism, transparency, and reproducibility. They emphasize keyboard-driven workflows, plain-text data, and open-source tooling. Common preferences include Linux or BSD operating systems, lightweight window managers, and terminal multiplexers such as tmux. They often favor text editors like vim or nano and shells such as bash or zsh, prioritizing predictable, scriptable environments over graphical interfaces.

History and usage: The term began appearing in online writing and niche zines in the late 2010s, sometimes as playful self-description or in critical commentary about software bloat. Because it is not formally defined, meanings and boundaries vary between communities and over time.

Beliefs and practices: A typical terminalidest practice pattern includes offline-capable or self-hosted setups, scriptable workflows, and version-controlled configurations. Emphasis is placed on portability, long-term maintainability, and the ability to reproduce complex tasks with minimal, well-documented steps. The aesthetic often centers on simplicity, clarity, and the reliability of text-based tools.

Reception: Some commentators view terminalist approaches as valuable reminders of control and efficiency. Others criticize the label as elitist or impractical for broader audiences or organizational contexts.

See also: Terminal emulator, Command-line interface, Minimalism, Open-source software, Reproducible builds.