matplotlib-terminal

Matplotlib backend to plot in terminal using matrach/img2unicode

This is in proof of concept stage, so stay tuned! The library is optimized for Gnome Terminal with Ubuntu Mono font. Nevertheless 'block' and 'braille' renderers should work with most modern terminals.

Install it with:

$ pip install matplotlib-terminal

To speed ~10x up the braille and gamma renderers, install an optional dependency of img2unicode:

$ pip install 'img2unicode[n2]'

Alternatives, which operate on raster output

• https://github.com/jktr/matplotlib-backend-notcurses
• https://github.com/jktr/matplotlib-backend-kitty

Usage:

import matplotlib_terminal
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
# Or in short:
# from matplotlib_terminal import plt


plt.plot([0, 1], [0, 1])
plt.plot([1, 0], [0, 1], lw=3)
plt.scatter([0], [.5])

plt.show()
plt.show('gamma') # Use RendererGamma-fast/noblock from img2unicode renderer
plt.show('block') # Use Renderer-fast/block from img2unicode, dual color!
plt.show('braille') # Use RendererGamma-fast/braille from img2unicode renderer
plt.close()

Sample results

Gamma renderer: Block renderer: Braille renderer:

TODO

• figure out how to configure the lib in matplotlib-ish way (eg. rcParams)
• allow to specify figure size in terms of cells
• compare with alternatives
• auto select backend from alternatives