# Typesmith

a python cli that types commands into your terminal character-by-character with realistic variable speed — so when you record a tutorial, it looks like someone is actually typing instead of pasting.

zero dependencies. just python 3.6+ stdlib.

demo

what it does

• natural typing simulation — gaussian-distributed keystroke delays, small pauses at word boundaries, slightly longer pauses after punctuation, occasional “thinking” hesitations
• two modes:
  • interactive — type or paste a command, typesmith erases it and re-types it slowly with the typing effect
  • script — load a script file, press enter to trigger each command. ideal for recordings: keypresses are invisible in the output so the take stays clean
• display-only by default — commands print but don’t run. add -x / --execute to actually execute them. (this used to be the opposite. flipped after the first release because the rare “delete a thing on camera while recording” problem is much worse than the rare “i wanted it to actually run” problem.)
• speed control — globally via -s 12 or per-command via #speed 15 directives in scripts

install

pipx install typesmith   # recommended for cli tools
# or
pip install typesmith

then:

typesmith                    # interactive
typesmith run demo.txt       # script mode
typesmith run demo.txt -x    # actually execute commands

why i built it

i type slowly and i make typos. for years that meant either editing my recordings to splice out the typo takes, or pasting commands and having recordings that look fake. typesmith is the third option: type real commands at a speed that looks human, on take one, every time.

linux + macos. uses posix terminal controls, won’t work on windows without wsl.