
Essential CLI/TUI Tools to Supercharge Developer Productivity 2025

As developers, our terminals are more than just text interfacesโthey're control centers for our workflows. While GUI tools have their place, CLI/TUI utilities offer unmatched speed, flexibility, and automation potential. This curated list cuts through the noise to bring you battle-tested tools that genuinely enhance productivity across key development tasks.
1. Kubernetes & Cloud-Native Tools
k9s: Kubernetes Cluster Management Reimagined
Why it matters: Transform chaotic kubectl outputs into an interactive dashboard with:
- Real-time cluster visualization ๐
- Single-key resource navigation โจ๏ธ
- Context-aware command suggestions ๐ก
Installation:
1# macOS
2brew install derailed/k9s/k9s
3
4# Linux
5snap install k9s --devmode # or use k9s-<version>.tar.gz
6
7# Windows
8choco install k9s
kubectx/kubens: Cluster & Namespace Context Switching
Game-changer feature: Lightning-fast switching between 10+ clusters without memorizing context names
Pro tip: Combine with shell aliases for instant access:
1alias kx='kubectx'
2alias kn='kubens'
3
4# Installation:
5
6
7
8# Debian/Ubuntu
9sudo apt install kubectx
10
11# Arch
12sudo pacman -S kubectx
kubescape: Kubernetes Security Guardian
Critical use case: CI/CD pipeline integration to catch vulnerabilities before deployment
Key capabilities:
โ
Helm chart scanning
โ
CIS Benchmark compliance checks
โ
NSA/CISA framework support
Installation:
1curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/kubescape/kubescape/master/install.sh | /bin/bash
2. Container Management Essentials
ctop: Container Metrics at a Glance
Perfect for: Quick diagnosis of resource-hungry containers
Visual advantage: Color-coded metrics for CPU/Memory/Network usage
Installation:
1docker run --rm -ti \
2 --name=ctop \
3 --volume /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro \
4 quay.io/vektorlab/ctop:latest
lazydocker: The Docker Companion You Didn't Know You Needed
Why developers love it:
- Interactive container lifecycle management ๐
- Log inspection without endless docker logs commands ๐
- Compose file visualization ๐
Installation:
1curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/jesseduffield/lazydocker/master/scripts/install_update_linux.sh | bash
3. File & Text Processing Powerhouses
bat: Supercharged cat Replacement
Developer-friendly features:
- Syntax highlighting for 200+ languages ๐
- Git integration showing line changes ๐
- Paging support for large files ๐
Usage example:
1bat --line-range 50:100 config.yaml
ripgrep (rg): The Grep Killer
Performance stats: 5-10x faster than traditional grep on large codebases
Smart defaults:
- Ignores .gitignore patterns automatically ๐ซ
- Respects hidden/filetype restrictions ๐
Pro search pattern:
1rg -tpy 'import.*requests' # Search Python files for requests imports
4. Git Mastery Accelerators
lazygit: Terminal-Based Git Wizardry
lazygit is another great terminal UI for Git commands developed by Jesse Duffield using Go.
I donโt mind using the Git CLI directly for simple things, but it is famously verbose for more advanced use cases. I am just too lazy to memorize longer commands.
Life-changing features:
- Interactive rebase visualization ๐ณ
- Branch management without remote switching ๐
- Stash navigation made intuitive ๐พ
Installation:
1go install github.com/jesseduffield/lazygit@latest
5. API & Development Workflow Boosters
httpie โ modern, user-friendly command-line HTTP client for the API era.
Donโt get me wrong, curl is great, but not very human-friendly.
HTTPie has a simple and expressive syntax, supports JSON and form data, handles authentication and headers, and displays colorized and formatted output.
Installation:
1pip install httpie
6. Network Diagnostics Made Simpledoggo โ A command-line DNS client.
It's totally inspired by dog which is written in Rust.
In the past I would use dig to inspect the DNS, but its output is often verbose and difficult to parse visually.
doggo addresses these shortcomings by offering two key improvements:
- doggo provides the JSON output support for easy scripting and parsing.
- doggo offers a human-readable output format that uses color-coding and a tabular layout to present DNS information clearly and concisely.
1doggo @8.8.8.8 example.com MX # Query specific DNS server
2
3#JSON output advantage:
4
5doggo example.com --json | jq '.answers[] | select(.type == "A")'
7. Terminal Environment Enhancers
btop: Resource Monitoring Masterclass
I canโt live without btop, and itโs installed on all my machines via my personal dotfiles. I rarely use now built-in OS GUIs to check the resource utilization on my host machine, because btop can do it much better.
Key bindings to learn:
m: Sort by memory usage
c: Sort by CPU utilization
p: Process tree visualization
Installation:
1sudo apt install btop # Ubuntu/Debian
tmux/zellij: Terminal Multiplexing Showdown
Since I listed tmux here, it also makes sense to include a new competitor, Zellij, which has been gaining traction in the developer community. Both have their own unique features and purposes.
Compared to traditional terminal multiplexers, zellij offers a more user-friendly interface, modern design elements, built-in layout systems, and a plugin system, making it easier for newcomers to get started.
Starter command:
1zellij setup --check # Generate recommended config
Level Up Your Terminal Game
These tools shine brightest when combined into personalized workflows. Start with 2-3 tools that solve immediate pain points, then gradually expand your toolkit. Remember: The best developers aren't those who memorize every commandโthey're the ones who master their tools.
Pro tips for adoption:
Add tools to your shell configuration files
Create descriptive aliases for complex commands
Schedule weekly "tool time" to explore new features
Final Thought: While these utilities boost productivity, avoid endless tool-hopping. Depth beats breadth when it comes to mastering development tools.
Ready to upgrade? Start with these recommended first steps:
Install bat and ripgrep for file operations
Set up lazygit for version control
Configure btop for system monitoring
Your terminal will never feel the same again! ๐