The Black Terminal Compendium: 2025 Edition

The Black Terminal Compendium: 2025 Edition

Live like a true hacker. Run your world from the command line.

This is the underground, maximalist guide for anyone ready to go GUI-free, reclaim their attention, and get more out of their machine.
No fluff, no summaries—just full scripts, dotfiles, workflows, and every CLI secret I actually use.

Inside you’ll find:

• Step-by-step walkthrough to install and survive without a GUI (on Arch, Debian, Void, Alpine, and more)
• Complete CLI toolbox: best tools for file management, editing, email, chat, RSS, music, image viewing, and more—with real config and usage examples
• Actual bash scripts for daily backups, info gathering, automation, and even ASCII YouTube
• Annotated dotfile excerpts for Bash, Tmux, Vim, and more (copy-paste ready)
• Full routines, custom keybinds, and the art of daily automation
• Framebuffer image, PDF, and video handling tips
• Terminal aesthetics: banners, colors, ASCII art, CRT tricks
• Hardcore troubleshooting, obscure hacks, and advanced system tips
• Massive appendix of links, resources, and CLI communities

Who’s this for?

• Linux and Unix users who want total agency and control
• Makers, hackers, and “keyboard maximalists”
• Indie web and net art devotees who want to live like it’s 1999 again
• Anyone sick of telemetry, distractions, and GUIs with a mind of their own

Written, assembled, and tested by Xenotrek (Hidden Layer Media), this guide pulls zero punches and hides nothing behind paywalls. If you want the GUI back, just reboot. If you want power, start here.