According to XDA-Developers, a Reddit user named dengob, who is a recent Linux convert themselves, has developed a fully-functional sticky notes application that runs within the Linux terminal. The app, called textual-sticky-notes-tui, is keyboard-centric, offers nine color-coded themes for organization, and allows users to set priorities from Trivial to Critical. It includes a search modal, auto-save functionality, and stores data persistently in the standard XDG directory on Linux. Installation is done via a git clone from its GitHub repository, followed by running an install script, and the app is launched by simply typing ‘stickynotes’ in the terminal.
The Allure of Never Leaving the Terminal
Here’s the thing: this app solves a very specific, almost niche problem. But it’s a problem that hits a certain type of user right in the workflow. The developer’s stated reason for building it is perfect—they fell in love with the terminal so much that they didn’t want to break their flow to open a separate GUI app just to jot down a reminder. I get that. Once you’re in the zone, managing windows feels like a chore. This app is a testament to that “keyboard-first” philosophy that makes power users so productive. It’s not about being anti-GUI; it’s about minimizing friction.
Is This Actually Useful or Just a Novelty?
Now, let’s be a bit skeptical. Is a terminal-based sticky note app for everyone? Absolutely not. For most people, a system tray note app or just using a text file is simpler. But for sysadmins, developers, or anyone who lives in a terminal multiplexer like tmux or screen, this is genius. It keeps your reminders in the same context as your work. You can have a pane dedicated to notes right next to your code or server logs. The color-coding and priority features move it beyond a simple text file, giving you some real organizational power without ever touching the mouse. That’s the real win.
The Always-Present “Trust” Question
So, you want to install it. The instructions are straightforward: clone the repo and run the install script. But this is where a critical rule of the terminal comes back into play. You’re running a script from the internet. You should, at the very least, glance at the `manage.sh` script to see what it’s doing before you `sudo` it. It’s a good habit. The project uses modern tooling, which is a positive sign for maintenance, but it’s still a one-person project on Reddit. That doesn’t mean it’s bad—some of the best tools start that way—but it means you’re trusting dengob’s code on your system. For a notes app, the risk is likely low, but the principle is important.
The Bigger Picture of Terminal Apps
This sticky notes app is part of a beautiful renaissance of Terminal User Interface (TUI) apps. We’re seeing modern, polished tools for email, file management, and even system monitoring that rival GUI apps in usability. It speaks to a desire for efficiency and focus. While you probably wouldn’t run a mission-critical industrial control panel on a terminal sticky note app, the ethos is similar: dedicated tools that do one job well, without distraction. For the right user, this little app isn’t a novelty. It’s a legitimate productivity upgrade that keeps you where you work best. And that’s pretty cool.
