Ink

Build terminal apps with React.

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Console’s review

· Reviewed by David Mytton

What we like

Use React & components to build interactive command line interfaces. Built-in components for text, colors, flex boxes, borders, hooks, working with stdin and stderr. Supports CSS-like props, testing and all features of React e.g. Devtools. Various open source components e.g. progress bar, table, form.

Tradeoffs

There’s a significant productivity gain from using React across web, terminal, mobile, etc, but purists might argue CLIs should be built in a more appropriate language like Go or Rust.

Is Ink a fit?

Based on Console’s review published on 2023-05-18.

Who it’s for

Developers familiar with React should consider Ink for building terminal apps

Why consider it

Ink allows using React and its components to build interactive command line interfaces

Keep in mind

Some developers may argue that CLIs should be built in a more appropriate language

Console is a free weekly newsletter with short reviews of developer tools, covering strengths and tradeoffs. This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2023-05-18. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date. Read our selection criteria and learn about Console.

Key facts

What it is

Build interactive command-line applications with React.

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Company or maintainer

Vadim Demedes and contributors.

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Source and licensing

Free and open source, MIT.

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Tech stack

Integrates with
  • JavaScript
  • React

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Source and notes

React renderer builds command-line applications with React components and JavaScript.

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Coverage may be incomplete. “Written in” describes implementation, not supported project languages.

Pricing

Free and open source (MIT). No paid hosted plan was verified from the cited repository; self-hosting infrastructure costs are separate.

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