C++ CLI & TUI Tools
9 tools for the terminal written in C++. Sorted by GitHub stars; the most starred are aria2, btop and Kakoune.
Tools
aria2
Command-line download utility supporting HTTP(S), FTP, SFTP, BitTorrent and Metalink, with segmented multi-source downloads and a JSON-RPC/XML-RPC interface.
btop
Terminal-based system resource monitor showing CPU, memory, disk, network, and process information
Kakoune
Modal code editor inspired by Vim that uses multiple selections as its core editing model, with a client-server architecture and external tool integration.
lnav
Terminal log file viewer that merges, formats, and indexes log files with SQL analysis and real-time monitoring
git-crypt
Transparent file encryption for Git repositories using AES-256, encrypting files on commit and decrypting on checkout
csysdig
Linux system visibility tool that captures syscalls and OS events, with container support; csysdig is its curses-based UI.
taskwarrior
Command line task management utility with filtering, reporting, and extensive customization capabilities
Newsboat
RSS/Atom feed reader for the text terminal, with a built-in HTML renderer, filters, query feeds, macros, and newsreading service sync.
ncmpcpp
ncurses-based terminal client for MPD (Music Player Daemon) with tag editor, playlist editor, media library, and visualizer, inspired by ncmpc.
Guides
- Best CLI Tools for Encrypting Files and ConfigurationCompare age, sops, git-crypt: workflows, strengths and tradeoffs.
- Best Log Viewers for the TerminalCompare lnav, logss and stern for reading, tailing, searching and filtering logs in a terminal, from local files to Kubernetes pods.
- Best Terminal System MonitorsCompare btop, htop, bottom, glances and zenith: terminal system monitors for CPU, memory, disk, network and processes.
- Modern Replacements for taillnav and stern compared as tail replacements: local log files, journald and compressed logs with lnav, Kubernetes pod logs with stern.
- Modern Replacements for topReplace top with htop, btop, or bottom: process lists, graphs, and tree views compared, plus Glances for stdout and API export.