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Guide · Open source

How to use genact: install, run modules and options

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

genact is an open-source command-line program that prints scrolling output designed to look like real work, such as compiling, downloading or hacking, while nothing useful happens. It is aimed at people who want a funny full-screen busy display in a terminal, or a demo screen. This guide shows you how to install it, start it, choose modules and use the main options.

genactsvenstaro/genact · ★ 12.2k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Install genact. Choose a method for your system, such as Homebrew on macOS, Scoop on Windows, pkg on FreeBSD, or cargo install genact if you have Rust.
  2. 2Check the help. Run genact -h to see every option available in your version.
  3. 3List the modules. Run genact -l to see the scenes you can choose from.
  4. 4Start a run. Run genact to start all modules, or pass -m with one or more module names to limit it.
  5. 5Adjust speed or set a timer. Use -s to change the speed factor, or --exit-after-time to stop after a set duration.
  6. 6Try the web version. Open the homepage in a browser and add ?module= parameters to pick scenes.

What genact does and who it is for

genact is a nonsense activity generator. It has multiple scenes, called modules, that pretend to be doing something exciting or useful, but in reality nothing is happening at all.

The README is direct that the output is not real. If you need a working build, a real download or real command output, genact will not help. It is best suited to novelty use, joking about build or install output, or a screensaver-style display on a spare screen.

  • Good fit: a funny full-screen busy display in a terminal
  • Good fit: trying a simple Rust command-line tool
  • Not a fit: anything that needs real output or a working build or download
  • Not a fit: fooling a coworker or manager in a way that could cause real harm or deception at work

How to install genact on your system

The README says you do not have to install anything. Prebuilt binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows are on the releases page and should run without extra dependencies. A web version is also available, so you can try it without installing.

Pick the method that matches your system. The README lists the following commands.

  • FreeBSD: pkg install genact, then run genact
  • Cargo (needs a fairly recent Rust and Cargo): cargo install genact, then run genact
  • macOS with Homebrew: brew install genact
  • macOS with MacPorts: sudo port install genact
  • Windows with Scoop: scoop install genact
  • Linux: download genact-linux from the releases page, then run chmod +x genact-linux and ./genact-linux
  • macOS binary: download genact-osx from the releases page, then run chmod +x genact-osx and ./genact-osx
  • Windows binary: download genact-win.exe from the releases page and double click it
cargo install genact genact

Run genact and pick modules

Running genact with no options starts all scenes. To see every option, run the help flag. If you only want certain scenes, pass them with the modules option.

The README lists about 20 modules. Some names are ansible, cargo, cc, docker_build, download, kernel_compile, memdump, terraform and wpt. To see the list from your installed version, use the list flag.

  • genact -l lists available modules
  • genact -m cargo runs only the cargo scene
  • Use -m with several names to run a set of modules
./genact -h genact -l genact -m cc memdump

Control speed, length and output

The speed factor scales the whole program. The default is 1. The instant print option prints a set number of lines immediately, and the default is 0.

You can stop genact automatically. The exit-after-time option takes a duration in a format such as 2h10min, and exit-after-modules stops after a number of modules have run.

  • -s or --speed-factor sets a global speed factor (default 1)
  • -i or --instant-print-lines prints this many lines instantly (default 0)
  • --exit-after-time sets how long to run, for example 2h10min
  • --exit-after-modules stops after this many modules
genact -s 2 --exit-after-time 10min

Use genact in a web browser

The web version runs at the project homepage and works in most modern browsers that support WebAssembly. You can pick modules and set speed with URL parameters.

Use the module parameter once per module, and the speed-factor parameter for speed.

  • Modules: ?module=cc&module=memdump
  • Speed: ?speed-factor=5
https://svenstaro.github.io/genact?module=cc&module=memdump

Shell completions and building from source

genact can generate shell completion files for bash, elvish, fish, powershell and zsh, and can print a man page. To build from source, you need a recent Rust and Cargo, then clone the repository and run it in release mode.

  • --print-completions with a shell name generates a completion file
  • --print-manpage generates a man page
git clone https://github.com/svenstaro/genact.git cd genact cargo run --release

What people use it for

  • Showing a full-screen busy display on a spare monitor
  • Joking about long compile or install output with the cargo or kernel_compile scenes
  • Running a set of modules for a set time with --exit-after-time
  • Trying a small Rust command-line program as a learning example
  • Sharing a browser link with specific modules selected

Frequently asked questions

How do I install genact?

It depends on your system. The README lists cargo install genact, brew install genact on macOS, scoop install genact on Windows, and pkg install genact on FreeBSD. On Linux, macOS and Windows you can also download a prebuilt binary from the releases page.

Is genact free to use?

genact is open source under the MIT licence, as stated in the project's README and licence badge. The source does not list any price.

What are the requirements for genact?

The README lists no prerequisites for the prebuilt binaries. Building with Cargo needs a fairly recent version of Rust and Cargo, and the web version needs a modern browser that supports WebAssembly.

How do I list or pick genact modules?

Run genact -l to list modules. Use genact -m followed by one or more module names to run only those scenes.

Does genact produce real output or do real work?

No. The README says nothing useful happens. The scenes are designed to look like work such as compiling or downloading, but they do not perform those tasks.

Are there alternatives to genact?

The source does not name comparable projects, so this guide cannot compare it with others. Use the module list and options above to judge whether it fits your needs.

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Our verdict

genact suits anyone who wants a funny, full-screen busy display in a terminal, or a simple Rust tool to try on a spare screen. It is a poor choice if you need real output, a working build or a real download, and the README says so directly.

Install options & downloads