Discover 20 Fun Linux Commands to Liven Up Your Terminal

This article presents a curated list of entertaining Linux command‑line tools that display system information, graphics, or humorous output, making the terminal experience more engaging.

screenfetch

A command that shows system and theme information.

Usage: screenfetch Example output:

linuxlogo

Displays Linux distribution logos with system information.

Usage: linuxlogo To list all built‑in logos, run: linux_logo -f -L list Then select a logo with linux_logo -L <num>, optionally adding -a for ASCII.

Custom logo loops

Cycle through logos:

for ((i=1;i<=30;i++)); do linux_logo -f -L $i; sleep 0.1; done

Making sudo insults

Enable humorous insults on sudo password failures:

Edit sudoers with sudo visudo.

Add Defaults insults at the end of the "Defaults" section.

Save the file.

Now failed sudo attempts produce random insults.

sl

Running sl or SL displays an animated steam locomotive across the terminal.

cmatrix

Creates a "Matrix"‑style falling characters effect.

Usage:

cmatrix

rev

Reverses the characters of its input.

Example:

echo bboysoul is a bad guy | rev
# Output: yug dab a si luosyobb

lolcat

Colors the output text.

Example: echo bboysoul is a bad guy | lolcat (Note: color may not appear in plain text previews.)

cowsay

Prints an ASCII cow that says a given message.

Example:

cowsay bboysoul is a bad guy

apt-get moo & aptitude moo

Both commands reveal Easter‑egg messages; aptitude moo accepts increasing -v flags for longer jokes.

fortune

Outputs a random quotation or proverb.

Example output includes literary excerpts and, with fortune-zh, Chinese poetry.

toilet

Creates large ASCII art text, similar to figlet.

aafire

Displays a burning fire animation.

Install with sudo apt install libaa-bin and run aafire.

oneko

Shows a small animated cat that follows the mouse cursor.

xeyes

Displays a pair of eyes that track mouse movements.

pv

Shows a progress bar for data passing through a pipe, simulating typing speed.

Example:

echo bboysoul is a bad guy | pv -qL 10

rig

Generates random personal data such as names and addresses.

yes

Repeats a given string indefinitely.

cal

Prints a calendar for the current month.

factor

Displays the prime factorization of numbers.

telnet

Can be used to watch an ASCII Star Wars movie:

telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

espeak

Converts text to speech.

Example: espeak bboysoul is a bad guy The article concludes by inviting readers to suggest additional fun commands.