Ratty: The GPU-Accelerated Terminal Emulator with a 3D Rat Cursor

Terminal emulators are a dime a dozen on Linux, but every so often a project comes along that throws convention out the window and delivers something genuinely surprising. Enter Ratty, a modern terminal emulator written in Rust that combines serious performance with an utterly whimsical twist: a rat as your mouse cursor. Yes, a spinning, three-dimensional rat.

What Is Ratty?

Ratty is a GPU-rendered terminal emulator that pushes the boundaries of what a command-line interface can look like. Instead of the plain rectangles and monochrome text you're used to, Ratty leverages the Bevy game engine to create a fully 3D environment within the terminal window. Its design borrows visual cues from TempleOS, giving it a retro aesthetic that doesn't sacrifice modern speed or features.

Ratty: The GPU-Accelerated Terminal Emulator with a 3D Rat Cursor — Source: itsfoss.com

While most users are content with defaults like GNOME Terminal or Kitty, Ratty turns heads by proving that a terminal can be both functional and fun. Let's explore the features that make it stand out in a crowded field.

Amusing Features of Ratty

Ratty merges traditional terminal workflows with real-time 3D rendering. Below are the most notable capabilities, demonstrated with live animations (videos are included in the original project for dynamic effects).

Customizable 3D Cursor

Rather than a static block or line, Ratty uses the Bevy engine and Ratatui to render a 3D object as your cursor. By default, that object is a spinning rat. As you type, the rat moves along the text, creating a surreal but surprisingly engaging visual experience. You can also replace the rat with any custom 3D asset you supply.

3D Mode

Press Ctrl+Alt+Enter to enter 3D Mode, which transforms the entire terminal into a canvas within a 3D scene. The output is no longer flat—you can pull, warp, and view your terminal from different angles. It's like having a game editor running behind your command line.

For even more bending of reality, Ctrl+Alt+M activates Mobius Mode, twisting the terminal content into a continuous Möbius strip. To adjust the warp strength, use Super+Ctrl+Alt+Up (increase) or Super+Ctrl+Alt+Down (decrease).

Inline 3D Objects

Developers can register 3D assets and anchor them to specific text cells using the Ratty Graphics Protocol. These models move seamlessly with scrolling or text changes, allowing tools like ls or custom scripts to display interactive 3D previews right inside the terminal. This opens up possibilities for creative visualizations without leaving the command line.

Built‑in Image Support

Ratty also supports the Kitty Graphic Protocol, allowing inline image display directly in the terminal output. You can view PNGs, JPEGs, and other formats without needing a separate viewer, all while maintaining the GPU‑accelerated performance.

Why Ratty Matters

On the surface, a spinning rat cursor seems absurd—but that's exactly the point. Ratty proves that a terminal emulator can be more than a simple text window. By embracing GPU rendering and game-engine integration, it opens the door for new types of CLI tools, educational demos, and artistic expression. It's an experimental project that challenges the notion that productivity and play must be separate.

Whether you stick with Kitty or decide to give Ratty a spin, this Rust‑based emulator is a testament to the creativity still thriving in open‑source software.

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