Linux / UNIX Desktop Fun: Steam Locomotive – get train in shell

One of the most common mistake is typing sl instead of ls command. I actually set an alias i.e. alias sl=ls; but then you may miss out the steam train with whistle.



sl is a joke software or classic UNIX game. It is a steam locomotive runs across your screen if you type “sl” (Steam Locomotive) instead of “ls” by mistake. sl is a highly advanced animation program for curing your bad habit of mistyping.

ADVERTISEMENTS



Install sl software to get Steam Locomotive ( train in shell )

Type the following apt-get command/apt command on a Debian / Ubuntu Linux:

$ sudo apt-get install sl

Run the following yum command on a CentOS/RHEL (first enable EPEL repo on a RHEL/CentOS version 6 or version 7 of CentOS/RHEL or enable and install ELEP repo on RHEL 8 or install EPEL repo on CentOS 8):

$ sudo yum install sl

Type the following dnf command on a Fedora Linux:

$ sudo dnf install sl

Execute the following brew command on a macOS Unix desktop:

$ brew install sl

Run the following pkg_add command on a OpenBSD:

# pkg_add -v sl

FreeBSD user type the following pkg command:

# pkg_add -v sl

Arch Linux user try the NA command $ sudo pacman -S sl

Usage

Okay, just mistyped ls command as sl:

$ sl



Another run:



-a : An accident seems to happen. You’ll feel pity for people who cry for help.

: An accident seems to happen. You’ll feel pity for people who cry for help. -l : shows little one.

: shows little one. -F : It flies.

: It flies. -e : Allow interrupt by Ctrl+C.

It also supports the following options:

For extra fun try the following little bash for loop along with lolcat command:

for i in a l f o do sl - ${i} | lolcat done for i in a l f o do sl -${i} | lolcat done

Conclusion

And there you have it, sl displays animations (train in shell) aimed to correct users who accidentally enter sl instead of ls for fun and profit. If you enjoyed this desktop fun app, you may also like to use the following apps on Linux:

