cbonsai

Generate a bonsai in live mode

$ cbonsai [[-l|--live]]

$ cbonsai [[-i|--infinite]]

$ cbonsai [[-m|--message]] "[message]"

$ cbonsai [[-v|--verbose]]

$ cbonsai [[-h|--help]]

cbonsai [options]

-s
    Sets the random seed for the tree generation. Using the same seed will always produce the same tree.

-i
    Sets the number of growth iterations. More iterations result in a larger, more complex tree. Defaults to an appropriate value.

-c
    Use color.

-p
    Prune the tree more aggressively, for a more stylistic look.

-r
    Redraw on window resize.

-l
    Show license information.

-h
    Display help information.

cbonsai is a lightweight and visually appealing command-line program that generates a procedurally-generated ASCII bonsai tree within your terminal. It provides a simple, relaxing way to create a unique visual experience. The program offers a few customization options, such as setting the seed for tree generation and controlling the growth speed. Unlike other terminal-based visualizations, cbonsai is designed to be quick to run and consume minimal system resources, making it suitable for use in various environments, even those with limited processing power. It's primarily intended as a fun distraction rather than a utility tool. Each execution creates a new, unique bonsai, making it an endlessly variable aesthetic addition to your terminal.

The appearance of the bonsai depends heavily on the terminal font and character encoding. Certain fonts may render the ASCII characters poorly, resulting in a distorted or unrecognisable tree. Also, while resource usage is low, repeatedly generating trees may impact system performance on very old or resource-constrained systems.

While cbonsai doesn't offer extensive customization, altering the terminal font or using a terminal with better ASCII character support can significantly impact the visual result. Experimenting with different seeds is the primary way to generate varied tree shapes.

aafire(1), cmatrix(1), sl(1)