pip install prompt_toolkit
For Conda, do:
conda install -c https://conda.anaconda.org/conda-forge prompt_toolkit
prompt_toolkit was in the first place meant to be a replacement for readline. However, when it became more mature, we realised that all the components for full screen applications are there and prompt_toolkit is very capable of handling many use situations. Pyvim and pymux are examples of full screen applications.
Basically, at the core, prompt_toolkit has a layout engine, that supports horizontal and vertical splits as well as floats, where each "window" can display a user control. The API for user controls is simple yet powerful.
When prompt_toolkit is used to simply read some input from the user, it uses a rather simple built-in layout. One that displays the default input buffer and the prompt, a float for the autocompletions and a toolbar for input validation which is hidden by default.
For full screen applications, usually we build the layout ourself, because that's very custom.
Further, there is a very flexible key binding system that can be programmed for all the needs of full screen applications.
The following snippet is the most simple example, it uses the
:func:`~prompt_toolkit.shortcuts.prompt` function to asks the user for input
and returns the text. Just like (raw_)input.
from __future__ import unicode_literals
from prompt_toolkit import prompt
text = prompt('Give me some input: ')
print('You said: %s' % text)In order to learn and understand prompt_toolkit, it is best to go through the all sections in the order below. Also don't forget to have a look at all the examples examples in the repository.
- First, :ref:`learn how to print text <printing_text>`. This is important, because it covers how to use "formatted text", which is something you'll use whenever you want to use colors anywhere.
- Secondly, go through the :ref:`asking for input <asking_for_input>` section. This is useful for almost any use case, even for full screen applications.
- Then, learn about :ref:`dialogs`, which is easy and fun.
- Finally, learn about :ref:`full_screen_applications`.