How do I integrate ImTui into an existing C++ project?

Clone the repository with submodules, include the headers, and link against ncurses and ImTui libraries. Follow the build instructions in the README, which provide CMake-based examples for different platforms.

Is ImTui better than FTXUI for terminal UIs?

ImTui is ideal if you're familiar with Dear ImGui's immediate mode paradigm and need its API consistency. FTXUI might be better for those preferring a more traditional, widget-based approach with modern C++ features.

Can ImTui handle real-time updates in a dashboard?

Yes, its immediate mode design allows for dynamic UI updates, as shown in the WTF dashboard example. However, performance depends on terminal rendering speed and complexity.

How to add custom widgets in ImTui?

Extend the Dear ImGui widget system by creating new functions that use ImTui's rendering backend. Refer to the existing examples and Dear ImGui documentation for guidance on widget implementation.

Does ImTui support accessibility features like screen readers?

No, the README doesn't mention accessibility support. As a text-based library, it might have limited compatibility with screen readers compared to graphical UI toolkits.

What are the performance trade-offs with ImTui?

Terminal rendering via ncurses can be slower for complex UIs compared to native graphics, and the immediate mode paradigm may require frequent redraws, impacting efficiency in high-frequency applications.

Open-Awesome

imtui

MITC++v1.0.5

Immediate mode text-based user interface C++ library for building interactive terminal applications.

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3.6k stars155 forks0 contributors

What is imtui?

ImTui is an immediate mode text-based user interface library written in C++. It allows developers to build interactive terminal applications with widgets, colors, and input handling by providing an ncurses-based backend for the Dear ImGui library. It solves the problem of creating modern, responsive UIs in console environments without the complexity of traditional terminal UI toolkits.

Target Audience

C++ developers building terminal applications, tools, or dashboards who want a declarative, immediate mode UI framework similar to Dear ImGui but for text-based interfaces.

Value Proposition

Developers choose ImTui because it brings the productivity and simplicity of Dear ImGui to the terminal, offering a consistent API, cross-platform support, and the ability to create rich, interactive experiences in console applications with minimal code.

Overview

ImTui: Immediate Mode Text-based User Interface C++ Library

Use Cases

Best For

Building terminal-based dashboards and monitoring tools
Creating interactive configuration editors for CLI applications
Developing text-based clients for web services (e.g., Slack, Hacker News)
Prototyping UI concepts in a terminal environment
Educational projects demonstrating immediate mode GUI principles
Adding rich UI elements to existing command-line tools

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring graphical user interfaces with modern visuals or web-based frontends
Teams needing extensive platform-native widgets or integration with GUI toolkits like Qt or GTK
Applications where rapid prototyping in scripting languages like Python or JavaScript is preferred
Environments where minimal dependencies and straightforward Windows setup are critical

Pros & Cons

Pros

Familiar Immediate Mode API

Leverages the Dear ImGui API, allowing developers to use declarative UI building with minimal boilerplate, as evidenced by the sample code and philosophy emphasizing simplicity.

Cross-Platform Terminal Support

Uses ncurses for rendering, enabling compatibility across Linux, macOS, and Windows via MSYS2/MinGW/PDCurses, making it suitable for diverse console environments.

Rich Color and Input

Supports 256 ANSI colors and full mouse/keyboard input, enhancing interactivity in terminal apps, as shown in the demos like the Slack client and Hacker News browser.

Browser Demo Capability

Can be compiled to Emscripten for web-based demonstrations, providing an easy way to showcase terminal UIs online, with live demos available on the project site.

Cons

Partial Windows Support

Windows compatibility requires MSYS2, MinGW, and PDCurses, which adds complexity and may deter developers looking for native or straightforward setup.

Dependency on External Libraries

Relies on ncurses and other libraries, increasing build overhead and potential portability issues, especially for lightweight or embedded systems.

Text-Based Limitations

UI elements are constrained to terminal characters and colors, lacking the visual richness of graphical toolkits, which can limit design flexibility for complex interfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

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