> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/anomalyco/opentui/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Introduction
> A native terminal UI core written in Zig with TypeScript bindings for building high-performance terminal applications
# Introduction
OpenTUI is a native terminal UI core written in Zig with TypeScript bindings. The native core exposes a C ABI and can be used from any language. OpenTUI powers [OpenCode](https://opencode.ai) in production today and will also power [terminal.shop](https://terminal.shop). It is an extensible core with a focus on correctness, stability, and high performance.
## Key features
OpenTUI provides a component-based architecture with flexible layout capabilities, allowing you to create complex terminal applications:
* **Native performance** - Written in Zig with a focus on correctness and high performance
* **Component-based architecture** - Build UIs with reusable, composable components
* **Flexible layouts** - Uses the Yoga layout engine for CSS Flexbox-like capabilities
* **Cross-language support** - C ABI allows usage from any language
* **Rich components** - Text, boxes, inputs, selects, tabs, and more
* **Advanced rendering** - FrameBuffer API for custom graphics and visual effects
* **Built-in console** - Integrated debug console with log capture
* **Theme support** - Automatic dark/light mode detection
* **Production-ready** - Powers OpenCode in production
## Get started
Build your first TUI app in minutes
Install OpenTUI with your package manager
Learn the fundamentals of OpenTUI
## Quick example
Here's a simple example to get you started:
```typescript theme={null}
import { createCliRenderer, TextRenderable } from "@opentui/core"
const renderer = await createCliRenderer()
const greeting = new TextRenderable(renderer, {
id: "greeting",
content: "Hello, OpenTUI!",
fg: "#00FF00",
position: "absolute",
left: 10,
top: 5,
})
renderer.root.add(greeting)
```
Use [create-tui](https://github.com/msmps/create-tui) to quickly scaffold a new OpenTUI project:
```bash theme={null}
bun create tui
```
## Why OpenTUI?
OpenTUI combines the best of both worlds: native performance through Zig with the developer experience of TypeScript. The architecture provides:
* **Correctness** - Type-safe APIs with comprehensive error handling
* **Stability** - Battle-tested in production with OpenCode
* **Performance** - Native Zig core for maximum efficiency
* **Extensibility** - Component-based design for easy customization
* **Flexibility** - Works with React, SolidJS, or imperative APIs
## Next steps
Set up OpenTUI with system requirements
Follow our quickstart tutorial