If you thought terminal emulators were boring, think again. Ratty is a fresh, GPU-accelerated terminal written in Rust that throws convention out the window—literally. With a spinning 3D rat as your cursor, the ability to warp your terminal into a Mobius strip, and inline 3D objects anchored to text, Ratty transforms the command line into a playground. Inspired by TempleOS but built for modern hardware, this experimental project proves terminals can be both functional and wildly fun. Here are ten things you need to know about this absurdly cool emulator.
1. A Rat as Your Cursor
Forget the boring blinking block. Ratty’s default cursor is a spinning 3D rat that follows your text input. Powered by the Bevy game engine and Ratatui, this rodent rotates continuously as you type, adding a playful, whimsical touch to even the most serious coding sessions. You can customize the cursor into any 3D object—from a spinning cube to a miniature spaceship. The rat is just the beginning; Ratty lets you replace it with any model you load via the inline 3D objects system.
2. GPU-Accelerated Rendering
Traditional terminals rely on CPU-based rendering, which can lag with complex output. Ratty leverages your graphics card via Vulkan or Metal, delivering fluid animations and real-time 3D rendering without sacrificing responsiveness. This GPU acceleration isn’t just for show—it ensures that even when you’re warping the screen in 3D Mode or displaying high-resolution images, the terminal stays buttery smooth. It’s a performance boost that makes Ratty feel like a next-generation terminal.
3. Full 3D Mode
Press Ctrl+Alt+Enter and your terminal transforms into a 3D canvas. Suddenly, the flat scrollable window becomes a textured plane you can rotate, tilt, and warp in three dimensions. You can pull the screen toward you, bend it into a curve, or view your command output from any angle. This isn’t just eye candy—it gives you a new perspective on logs, data, and even Mobius strips. Use Super+Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down to adjust the warp intensity.
4. Mobius Mode
Mobius Mode (Ctrl+Alt+M) twists the terminal’s output into a continuous Mobius strip. Your text loops around the strip’s surface, creating a seamless, infinite viewing experience. It’s a mind-bending way to visualize scrolling data or just to impress your friends. The feature showcases Ratty’s tight integration with the Bevy engine, allowing complex geometric transformations on live terminal content.
5. Inline 3D Objects
Ratty introduces a groundbreaking Graphics Protocol that lets you anchor 3D models to specific text cells. This means a spinning gear, a molecule, or a character model can be embedded directly into your terminal output. As text scrolls, the 3D objects move with it, staying perfectly aligned. Developers can register their own assets and use them in scripts, making the terminal interactive beyond just text.
6. Customizable 3D Cursor
While the rat is the show’s star, you aren’t stuck with it. Ratty lets you swap the cursor for any 3D model you provide. Want a rotating Earth or a dancing stick figure? Just load the appropriate file, and the cursor transforms. The customization extends to behavior—the cursor can spin, wobble, or stay static. It’s a fun way to personalize your workflow while still having a fully functional terminal underneath.
7. Built-in Image Support
Thanks to the Kitty Graphics Protocol, Ratty can display images directly in the terminal—no extra tools needed. You can view photos, diagrams, and screenshots inline without leaving the command line. Combined with GPU acceleration, even large images load instantly and render at high quality. This makes Ratty useful for developers who work with graphics, designers, or anyone who wants to preview files without opening a separate viewer.
8. Retro Aesthetics Inspired by TempleOS
Ratty’s visual design pays homage to TempleOS, the famously eccentric operating system. You’ll find chunky borders, high-contrast color schemes, and a deliberately retro feel that pairs perfectly with its futuristic 3D features. This isn’t a skin—it’s a design philosophy that celebrates the weird and wonderful. The combination of old-school terminal looks with modern GPU power gives Ratty a unique charm that stands apart from sleek, minimalist terminals.
9. Built with Rust for Safety and Speed
Rust’s memory safety and concurrency guarantees make Ratty reliable even during heavy 3D rendering. The language’s zero-cost abstractions allow the terminal to handle multiple simultaneous animations without crashes or slowdowns. Because Rust compiles to native code, Ratty starts quickly and uses resources efficiently. For developers who value both performance and reliability, this is a terminal you can trust—even when it’s showing a spinning rat.
10. An Experimental Project Worth Trying
Ratty is still in its early stages—expect quirks and occasional bugs. But that’s part of the fun. The project is open-source, actively developed, and welcomes contributions. Whether you’re a terminal enthusiast, a Rust fan, or just someone who enjoys unconventional tools, Ratty offers a fresh take on the command line. Install it, play with the rat, warp your screen into a Mobius strip, and rediscover what a terminal can be.
From a 3D rat cursor to full-screen warping, Ratty proves that terminal emulators don’t have to be boring. It’s a crazy, experimental, and genuinely useful tool that pushes boundaries. If you’re ready to see the command line in a new dimension, give Ratty a spin—literally.