The Linux terminal can feel intimidating, especially for users who do not want to memorize commands such as cp, mkdir, or lsblk. But terminal user interface applications, mainly known as TUIs, make it possible to work inside the terminal using visual menus, keyboard navigation, and structured layouts instead of complex command syntax.
TUIs run directly in the terminal but present interactive interfaces that resemble lightweight graphical tools. Here are four Linux TUI apps that can make the terminal more practical for everyday tasks.
Bandwhich Monitors Network Activity in Real Time
(Credit: HowToGeek)
bandwhich is a terminal-based network monitoring tool that displays live connection activity across the system.
When running, bandwhich shows:
- Active processes making network requests
- Process IDs
- Data transfer rates
- Network adapters in use
- Destination hostnames
It can also resolve DNS names to make connection targets easier to identify.
Installation varies by distribution:
On Debian or Ubuntu systems via Snap:
sudo snap install bandwhich
On Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -S bandwhich
On other distributions, users can download the latest binary from the bandwhich release page.
The tool must be run with elevated privileges:
sudo bandwhich
An optional -t flag enables total utilization tracking rather than only recent packet activity.
Caligula Burns ISO Files With a Visual Interface
(Credit: HowToGeek)
Caligula is a lightweight TUI designed for writing ISO and IMG files to USB drives.
Instead of manually running dd or other disk-writing commands, users can launch Caligula with:
caligula burn filename.iso
The interface prompts for checksum verification and target disk selection. During the write process, Caligula displays a visual graph showing transfer speed.
Installation options include:
Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -S caligula
Via Rust’s package manager (if installed):
cargo install caligula
Other distributions may require following the project’s installation guide.
Kew Plays Local Music From the Terminal
(Credit: HowToGeek)
kew is a terminal music player designed for users with a local music collection.
By default, kew scans the ~/Music directory and displays the library in a navigable interface. Users can browse using the arrow keys and press Enter to play tracks or albums.
The application supports:
- Album art and visualizer modes
- Playlist views
- Shuffle playback
- Quick launch by artist name
For example:
kew smiths
This command attempts to play music by The Smiths from the user’s library. Users can also shuffle a specific artist:
kew shuffle smiths
Installation commands:
Debian or Ubuntu:
sudo apt install kew
Arch Linux (AUR):
yay -S kew
openSUSE Tumbleweed:
sudo zypper install kew
nnn Provides Fast File Navigation
(Credit: HowToGeek)
nnn, also called n³, is a terminal file manager that reduces repetitive cd and ls commands by relying on keyboard-based navigation.
Launching nnn is simple:
nnn
Users can:
- Use the Right arrow key to enter directories
- Use the Left arrow key to go back
- View file metadata such as modification dates and permissions
nnn is available in most distribution repositories:
Debian or Ubuntu:
sudo apt install nnn
Fedora:
sudo dnf install nnn
Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -S nnn
openSUSE:
sudo zypper install nnn
Why TUIs Matter for Linux Users
Terminal user interface apps provide a middle ground between command-line utilities and full graphical applications. They allow users to stay within the terminal while reducing reliance on memorizing syntax-heavy commands.
All four tools are open source and available through common Linux package managers. Feature availability and installation steps may vary slightly depending on distribution and repository configuration.
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