How to Build a Snake Game in Bash (Yes, Really!)

Most people use Bash for automation, scripting, and server management—but have you ever thought about using it to build a game? At first, it sounds impossible. Bash lacks graphics support and isn't designed for real-time interactivity. But with clever workarounds, you can create a fully playable Snake game right in your terminal. Let's break down the core logic behind a Bash-based Snake game and how you can start building it yourself. Can You Really Code a Game in Bash? ✅ Yes, but it’s a challenge. Unlike Python or C, Bash has no built-in game libraries. You need to manually control input, timing, and rendering using simple shell commands. Here’s what makes it work: Real-time input handling (using read in raw mode) Game loop simulation (using while true; do ...; sleep x; done) Terminal-based rendering (using tput and printf) Step 1: Setting Up the Game Grid Bash doesn’t have a GUI, so the game board is represented using characters. Basic Board Representation Imagine a 10x10 grid in the terminal: ########## # # # # # @ # # # ########## Here’s a basic script to draw a static grid: clear for i in {1..10}; do for j in {1..10}; do if [[ $i -eq 1 || $i -eq 10 || $j -eq 1 || $j -eq 10 ]]; then echo -n "#" else echo -n " " fi done echo done

Mar 7, 2025 - 10:33

How to Build a Snake Game in Bash (Yes, Really!)

Most people use Bash for automation, scripting, and server management—but have you ever thought about using it to build a game?

At first, it sounds impossible. Bash lacks graphics support and isn't designed for real-time interactivity. But with clever workarounds, you can create a fully playable Snake game right in your terminal.

Let's break down the core logic behind a Bash-based Snake game and how you can start building it yourself.

Can You Really Code a Game in Bash?

✅ Yes, but it’s a challenge.

Unlike Python or C, Bash has no built-in game libraries. You need to manually control input, timing, and rendering using simple shell commands.

Here’s what makes it work:

Real-time input handling (using read in raw mode)
Game loop simulation (using while true; do ...; sleep x; done)
Terminal-based rendering (using tput and printf)

Step 1: Setting Up the Game Grid

Bash doesn’t have a GUI, so the game board is represented using characters.

Basic Board Representation

Imagine a 10x10 grid in the terminal:

##########
#        #
#        #
#   @    #
#        #
##########

Here’s a basic script to draw a static grid:

clear
for i in {1..10}; do
    for j in {1..10}; do
        if [[ $i -eq 1 || $i -eq 10 || $j -eq 1 || $j -eq 10 ]]; then
            echo -n "#"
        else
            echo -n " "
        fi
    done
    echo
done