15 Fun Linux Commands to Play and Learn in Your Terminal

1. rev command

Reverses each input line.

<code>rev</code>

Example: input

shiyanlou

produces

ulanyihs

.

2. asciiview command

Install

aview

and

imagemagick

first.

<code>sudo apt-get install aview</code>

<code>sudo apt-get install imagemagick</code>

Then run:

<code>asciiview shiyanlou.png -driver curses</code>

3. sl command

Displays an animated train moving across the screen.

<code>sudo apt-get install sl</code>

<code>sl</code>

4. aafire command

Shows a fire effect in the terminal.

<code>sudo apt-get install libaa-bin</code>

<code>aafire</code>

5. cmatrix command

Displays the classic Matrix rain effect.

<code>sudo apt-get install cmatrix</code>

<code>cmatrix</code>

Press

Ctrl+C

to stop.

6. factor command

Factorizes numbers, useful for simple math problems.

<code>factor 60</code>

7. oneko command

Shows a cat that follows the mouse cursor.

<code>sudo apt-get install oneko</code>

<code>$oneko</code>

Press

Ctrl+C

to exit.

8. boxes command

Wraps text or code with ASCII art boxes.

<code>sudo apt-get install boxes</code>

<code>echo "gaoxiaoyunwei" | boxes</code>

Or use a specific style:

<code>echo "gaoxiaoyunwei" | boxes -d dog</code>

9. xeyes command

Displays a pair of eyes that follow the mouse pointer.

<code>sudo apt-get install xeyes</code>

<code>xeyes</code>

10. pv command

Shows a progress bar effect similar to subtitles appearing character by character.

<code>sudo apt-get install pv</code>

<code>echo "welcome to shiyanlou, you can learn DevOps by doing" | pv -qL 10</code>

11. yes command

Continuously outputs a specified string until interrupted.

<code>yes hello,world</code>

12. bastet command

Play Tetris in the terminal.

<code>sudo apt-get install bastet</code>

13. ninvaders command

Space Invaders game for the command line.

<code>sudo apt install ninvaders</code>

<code>ninvaders</code>

Use arrow keys to move and space to shoot.

14. pacman4console command

Classic Pac-Man game in the console.

<code>sudo apt install pacman4console</code>

<code>pacman4console</code>

15. greed command

Number‑based movement game where you control a flashing "@".

<code>sudo apt install greed</code>

<code>greed</code>

Use arrow keys to move; the game ends when no moves are possible.