Build terminal user interfaces with Notcurses, a library for character-based graphics in modern terminals.
Open source
24 alternativesNotcurses
Build vibrant text user interfaces for modern terminal emulators with the Notcurses library.
About Notcurses
Notcurses is a library for building text user interfaces (TUIs) on modern terminal emulators. It is written in C, with headers that are safe to use from C++. Rust, C++, and Python wrappers are available. The library does not use Ncurses, although it uses libtinfo from that package, and it is not a source-compatible replacement for X/Open Curses. Its features include runtime querying of terminal capabilities, 24-bit RGB color, transparency and sprites, and Unicode support with wide glyphs. Image and video support depends on ffmpeg or OpenImageIO. Wide glyphs cannot have their colors or styling split, and half of a wide glyph cannot be printed.
Key features
- Runtime querying of terminal capabilities
- 24-bit RGB color, quantized for indexed-palette terminals
- Transparency, semi-transparency, and dynamic high-contrast text
- Stacked drawing planes that can be moved along the z axis
- Unicode support, including wide glyphs and bidirectional text
- Image and video support via ffmpeg or OpenImageIO
Best for: Developers who want to build colorful text user interfaces in C, C++, Rust, or Python for modern terminal emulators.
Good for
- Wrappers are available for Rust, C++, and Python
- API reference is provided as man pages and Doxygen output
Watch out for
- It is not a source-compatible replacement for X/Open Curses
- Wide glyphs cannot have their colors or styling split, and half of a wide glyph cannot be printed
- Image and video support relies on ffmpeg or OpenImageIO
Notcurses at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Desktop Customization
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Notcurses FAQ
Is Notcurses a replacement for Ncurses?
No. It does not use Ncurses, although it makes use of libtinfo from that package. It is also not an X/Open Curses source-compatible replacement.
Which programming languages have wrappers for Notcurses?
Rust, C++, and Python wrappers are available. The library itself is written in C, with C++-safe headers.
Where can I find the API documentation?
A full API reference is available as man pages. Doxygen output is also available.
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