monkey_type

A terminal typing test written in Rust. Sit down, sip some coffee, watch the monkey, type fast.

                        .="=.
                      _/.-.-.\_     _
                     ( ( o o ) )    ))
                      |/  "  \|    //
      .-------.        \'---'/    //
     _|~~ ~~  |_       /`"""`\\  ((
   =(_|_______|_)=    / /_,_\ \\  \\
     |:::::::::|      \_\\_'__/ \  ))
     |:::::::[]|       /`  /`~\  |//
     |o=======.|      /   /    \  /
     `"""""""""`  ,--`,--'\/\    /
                   '-- "--'  '--'

Features

• Two test modes: timed (run for N seconds) or word-count (type N words)
• Two word lists: english (top ~200) and english_1k (top 1000)
• Live stats: WPM and accuracy update as you type
• Persistent history: every completed run is appended to ~/Library/Application Support/monkey_type/history.json (mac) or $XDG_DATA_HOME/monkey_type/ (linux)
• Tier feedback: results screen rates your run from more bananas needed to BANANAS!! top-tier ape
• Zero-setup: word lists are embedded in the binary

Install

From source (requires Rust 1.85+ for edition 2024):

git clone https://github.com/martintranthecoder/monkey_type
cd monkey_type
cargo install --path .

This drops a monkey_type binary in ~/.cargo/bin/.

Or just run from the project directory:

cargo run --release

Usage

monkey_type                            # 30-second timed test, english word list
monkey_type --time 60                  # 60-second timed test
monkey_type --words 25                 # type exactly 25 words
monkey_type --difficulty english_1k    # use the larger 1000-word list
monkey_type -t 15 -d english_1k        # short forms
monkey_type --help                     # see all flags

Flags

Flag	Default	What it does
-t, --time	30	Run a timed test for this many seconds
-w, --words	—	Run a word-count test of this many words
-d, --difficulty	english	Word list: english or english_1k
-h, --help	—	Print usage and exit

--time and --words are mutually exclusive — the later flag wins.

Keys

Key	Action
any letter	Type. The timer starts on your first keypress.
space	Finish the current word and advance
backspace	Erase the last character in the current word
tab	Restart the test with a fresh set of words
esc	Quit (no save)
ctrl+c	Quit
enter / tab	(on results screen) Start a new test — same format, fresh words

How scoring works

• WPM is the standard (correct_chars / 5) / minutes. A "word" is 5 characters, so longer words count for more.
• Accuracy is correct_chars / typed_chars * 100. Backspacing reverts a character back to "untyped" — corrections are free.
• Only completed words contribute their trailing space to the correct-char count.
• The clock starts on your first keypress, not when the program launches. Take your time setting up.

Tier ranks

The results screen prints one of these based on your WPM:

WPM	Rank
100+	BANANAS!! top-tier ape
70–99	excellent -- silverback
50–69	nice swing!
30–49	keep climbing
< 30	more bananas needed

Project layout

src/
├── main.rs        # CLI args, terminal setup/teardown, panic hook
├── config/        # Config + TestMode, embedded word lists
├── game/          # GameState, key handling, WPM/accuracy math
├── stats/         # TestResult, History (persisted JSON)
└── ui/            # ratatui rendering and event loop
data/
├── english.json       # top ~200 English words
└── english_1k.json    # top 1000 English words

Dependencies

• ratatui — the TUI framework
• crossterm — terminal input/output
• rand — random word selection
• serde + serde_json — config/history persistence
• dirs — platform-correct config/data paths
• chrono — timestamps on saved runs

Tips

• Run inside a terminal with at least 80 columns and 20 rows for the best layout. Smaller terminals work but the results layout gets cramped.
• The monkey ASCII art uses block/special characters. If you see weird boxes, switch your terminal to a font with good Unicode coverage (JetBrains Mono, Fira Code, Hack, Menlo, etc.).
• On macOS the history file lives at ~/Library/Application Support/monkey_type/history.json. Delete it to reset your record.

Acknowledgements

ASCII monkey-and-TV art by jgs.