5 Ways to Make Your CLI App More Fun

Tips and tricks to engage your users through code

I recently built my first Ruby CLI app, and what began as a seemingly daunting task became a super fun learning experience that truly sparked joy. If you aren’t familiar with CLI (or Command Line Interface) apps, journey back into your childhood Computer Lab memories of playing Oregon Trail on a bulky Macintosh desktop with lime green text, hitting those little arrow keys until the dreaded words, “You have died of dysentery” flashed across your screen. That’s a CLI app!

The great Oregon Trail

CLI apps can be pretty limited in terms of styling and features since they aren’t afforded the same flexibility of a web or mobile app, but that doesn’t mean they need to have a boring, lackluster user experience. If you find yourself tasked with building your own CLI app (or decide to on your own because hey, why not?), here are a few steps you can take to inject a little fun.

Pick a theme you’re passionate about, or will at least enjoy working on

I decided to make my app, “Frankenmutt”, about dogs because I love dogs. Dogs are the BEST and everyone knows it. They are funny, smart, goofy, loyal, sweet and they literally save lives every day.

I’ve always had rescue dogs in my life, including now as an adult, so I thought it would be fun to create a playful fake “mutt generator” for this project. (For the record, I do not condone actually breeding dogs. ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!)

Shoutout to Missy! LOOK HOW CUTE SHE IS.

Spend a week writing dog-related code, looking at dog photos, and reading funny dog breed characteristics you say? Alrighty then! If you pick a theme you’re passionate about, you’re more likely to put in that extra effort because it isn’t a chore- it’s fun!

Create your own ASCII art