Matrix CLI

text-flicker experiment: fresh output resolves from random green Matrix characters, with independent timing per character over roughly half a second. Returning from rain uses the same effect. Prompts and approval dialogs remain immediately readable.

Matrix-style code rain for Codex CLI and Claude Code. Dim background streams and brighter, faster foreground trails add depth while your agent works. The visible text falls into the rain when you switch views. Returning to the CLI reveals its text through a brief flicker of green Matrix characters.

Install

Requires Node.js 22+, npm, and either codex or claude on your PATH.

git clone https://github.com/onepunk/matrix-cli.git
cd matrix-cli
npm ci
npm link

Then launch from your project's directory:

matrix codex
matrix claude
matrix --demo

Arguments pass through to the selected CLI, for example matrix claude --continue or matrix codex resume --last. Uses your existing agent configuration and account; no wrapper account or telemetry. Agent usage charges still apply.

Effects

Disable either effect independently, or combine both flags:

matrix claude --no-rain
matrix codex --no-text-flicker
matrix claude --no-rain --no-text-flicker

These wrapper flags work before or after the agent name and are not forwarded to the agent. Other arguments pass through unchanged; arguments after -- are always passed through literally. With --no-rain, Ctrl+] does not enable rain. With --no-text-flicker, text appears immediately, including when returning from rain.

Controls

Key	Action
Ctrl+]	Toggle rain / live screen
Any key during rain	Reveal the screen; that key is consumed
Ctrl+C	Reveal and interrupt the agent
Shift+PageUp / Shift+PageDown	Browse retained terminal history
q in demo	Exit

Manual reveal stays visible until you press Ctrl+] again. After a response appears automatically, closing activity cannot restart the rain; submitting your next prompt re-enables automatic rain.

Development

npm ci
npm test
npm run check

Tests use simulated agents and need no credentials. See CONTRIBUTING.md.

Licence

Apache 2.0. Free and open source. Independent of OpenAI, Anthropic and the owners of The Matrix; no film assets are included.