Mastering 'cointop' to Monitor Cryptocurrencies (with examples)

cointop is a command-line interface (CLI) tool designed for tracking and monitoring cryptocurrencies right from your terminal. It provides real-time updates and supports various operations to help manage and track your cryptocurrency portfolio efficiently without needing a graphical user interface. This article will explore several functionalities of the cointop command with practical examples.

Use case 1: Open the Terminal User Interface (TUI)

Code:

cointop

Motivation: The primary function of cointop is to provide users with a terminal user interface where they can visually track the performance and metrics of various cryptocurrencies. By simply running this command, users enter a comprehensive environment to view cryptocurrencies’ live price updates, market cap, and other key metrics — all in one place. This is incredibly beneficial for users who prefer a minimalistic, text-based interface free from the distractions of colorful, ad-laden web portals.

Explanation:

• The command cointop itself launches the terminal-based user interface.
• It provides an overview table with various cryptocurrency statistics without requiring any additional arguments or parameters.

Example Output:

Running the command opens an interface that looks like:

╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                             cointop                                   ║
╠════════════╦══════════════════╤══════════════╤═══════════╤════════════╣
║ Rank       │ Name             │ Price        │ 24h %     │ Market Cap ║
╠════════════╬══════════════════╪══════════════╪═══════════╪════════════╣
║ 1          │ Bitcoin (BTC)    │ $50,000.00   │ +2.34%    │ $1T        ║
║ 2          │ Ethereum (ETH)   │ $4,000.00    │ +1.12%    │ $400B      ║
╚════════════╩══════════════════╧══════════════╧═══════════╧════════════╝

Use case 2: Clear the Cache

Code:

cointop clean

Motivation: As you use cointop, it caches data to ensure quick access and performance improvement. Over time, caches can grow in size and may contain outdated information. Clearing the cache is crucial to ensure that you are working with the most current data and maintaining optimal performance, especially if you’ve started noticing lag in data updates or inconsistencies.

Explanation:

• clean: This argument tells cointop to clear all cached data that it has stored during previous sessions, ensuring that fresh data is retrieved during the next operation.

Example Output:

Upon executing this command, you may not see any visible output indicating “cache cleared” as it performs a background operation. However, you might notice that cointop fetches data anew the next time it starts.

Use case 3: Display Current Holdings Legibly

Code:

cointop holdings --human

Motivation: For those who maintain a cryptocurrency portfolio, keeping track of one’s holdings is an essential aspect. The --human flag provides a clear, easy-to-read representation of an individual’s cryptocurrency holdings, facilitating quick understanding and evaluation of one’s investment positions.

Explanation:

• holdings: This argument is used to display the user’s cryptocurrency holdings.
• --human: The --human flag formats the output in a human-readable way, which typically means using units like K for thousand, M for million, etc., instead of raw numbers, making it easier for users to process.

Example Output:

Holdings:
BTC: 0.5 ($25,000)
ETH: 2 ($8,000)
Total Value: $33,000

Use case 4: Check Price of Coin(s)

Code:

cointop price --coins bitcoin,ethereum

Motivation: This use case is aimed at situations where a user is interested in the pricing details of specific cryptocurrencies rather than wading through dozens of them. It provides a focused snapshot of selected coins, which is particularly useful for quick checks on coins you own or are interested in monitoring closely.

Explanation:

• price: The command checks and retrieves the price of specified cryptocurrencies.
• --coins: This parameter allows you to specify which cryptocurrencies you want to check prices for.
• bitcoin,ethereum: These are the coin names used as arguments to specify which coins’ prices need to be checked. Any other coins can also be used here, separated by commas.

Example Output:

Bitcoin (BTC): $50,000.00
Ethereum (ETH): $4,000.00

Use case 5: Display Version

Code:

cointop version

Motivation: Knowing the version of the software you’re using can be crucial, especially when troubleshooting or accessing newer features. This command helps users verify their version, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest capabilities and patches, aligning their usage with available features and documentation.

Explanation:

• version: This argument outputs the current version of the cointop software installed on your system.

Example Output:

cointop version 1.6.0

Conclusion:

The cointop CLI tool is a powerful utility for cryptocurrency enthusiasts who prefer managing their digital assets from the command line. Whether you are looking to visualize a full market dashboard, clean unused cached data, track specific coin prices, or monitor your own crypto holdings in a readable format, cointop offers versatile functionalities that cater to a variety of needs. Understanding these commands and their outputs empowers users to manage their cryptocurrency investments more efficiently.