Mastui is an open-source Python application for using Mastodon from a keyboard-driven terminal interface. It is a client for connecting to Mastodon—not a separate social network. The project documents multi-column timelines, post composition, search, media previews, and a persistent cache; its requirements include Python 3.9 or newer, a UTF-8-capable terminal, and a Mastodon access token.
What Mastui does
Mastodon is a social network made up of interoperable servers and based on ActivityPub. Third-party clients can connect through Mastodon’s OAuth2, REST, and Streaming APIs; the REST API uses HTTP requests and JSON payloads. Mastui uses the Mastodon.py library to interact with that API. See Mastodon’s project repository and its API introduction.
Rather than presenting posts in a conventional graphical app, Mastui arranges timelines in terminal columns and exposes common actions through keyboard controls. The project describes it as a multi-account client. These are capabilities documented by its maintainers, not independently tested performance or a guarantee that every feature works with every terminal or server.
Features documented by the project
Timelines and accounts
- Separate columns for Home, Local, Federated, Mentions, and direct-message timelines.
- Separate profile configuration for multiple accounts.
- Keyboard actions for common post interactions.
- A persistent SQLite cache intended to support offline reading.
Writing and finding posts
- Compose posts with content warnings, polls, visibility controls, and language selection.
- Use mention and hashtag autocomplete.
- Search Mastodon.
- Manage server-side filters.
Media and customization
- View inline media previews. The homepage lists ANSI, Sixel, and TGP image-rendering modes; Sixel or TGP-capable terminal support is optional for higher-fidelity rendering.
- Configure keybindings.
- Keep profile data under
~/.config/mastui/<profile>or the equivalent location for the operating system.
What you need to run Mastui
- Python 3.9 or newer.
- A terminal with UTF-8 support. The project recommends a width of at least 120 columns for its interface.
- A Mastodon access token. Mastui needs credentials to connect to an account on a Mastodon server.
- pipx or pip for the corresponding installation route. Source installation uses Poetry.
Image rendering does not require Sixel or TGP support, but the project identifies those terminal capabilities as optional routes to higher-fidelity images. Mastui is software; the project does not require or endorse a specific computer, keyboard, or display.
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Install Mastui
The project README documents these installation approaches. Choose one and check the official repository or project homepage for the latest platform-specific instructions, as packaging details can change.
Install with pipx
- Install pipx using the instructions for your operating system, then ensure its application directory is available on your PATH.
- Run
pipx install mastui. - Follow Mastui’s current instructions to configure a profile and provide a Mastodon access token before connecting.
Install with pip in a virtual environment
- Create and activate a Python virtual environment using your platform’s normal Python commands.
- With the environment active, run
pip install mastui. - Configure Mastui with a profile and Mastodon access token as described in the project documentation.
Install from source
- Clone or download the source from the official repository.
- Install Poetry if it is not already available.
- Use the project’s Poetry instructions in the repository to install dependencies and run Mastui.
The homepage also lists platform and package choices for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Android through Termux. The exact route depends on the platform and current project packaging; consult the live homepage rather than assuming every method applies to every system.
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Release, license, and planned work
The Mastui homepage identifies v1.14.2, published September 2, 2026, as the latest stable release and highlights fixes related to OAuth token renewal and Sixel rendering. This is the project page’s release information at that date, not an independent release audit; check the homepage or repository for a newer version.
The Mastui repository lists the client under the MIT license. That is distinct from the Mastodon server project, whose repository identifies its license as AGPLv3. The Mastui roadmap lists bookmarks, additional filtering, user lists, post management, drafts, and localization as prospective work; those items should not be treated as existing features unless current documentation confirms their implementation.
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