Improving Your Typing Skills with 'tt' (with examples)

The ’tt’ command is a terminal-based tool designed to enhance typing skills through a series of interactive typing tests. Whether you are trying to improve your typing speed, accuracy, or familiarity with new phrases, ’tt’ provides a versatile platform. This command supports various modes, allowing you to tailor your typing practice to suit your specific goals. More information about this tool can be found on its GitHub page .

Use case 1: Start quote mode with the built-in quote list in English

Code:

tt -quotes en

Motivation:

Engaging in quote mode can be an enriching experience as it not only challenges your typing speed and accuracy but also introduces you to a variety of quotes from different authors and contexts. This mode can be particularly useful for individuals interested in literature, philosophy, or those who simply enjoy reading thought-provoking content while honing their typing skills.

Explanation:

• -quotes: This option initiates the quote mode, where users will type out full sentences or paragraphs drawn from a predefined set of quotes. This is different from typing random words and can be more challenging and rewarding.
• en: Specifies the language of the quotes to be English, ensuring that the quotes you type will be from an English-speaking context.

Example Output:

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." - Buddha
Type: 
Your WPM: 48
Errors: 2

Use case 2: Produce a test consisting of 50 randomly drawn words in 5 groups of 10 words each

Code:

tt -n 10 -g 5

Motivation:

This use case is perfect for typists who want to focus on improving their speed and accuracy with individual words. Breaking down typing practice into smaller, manageable word groups helps maintain focus and aids in incremental improvement. It’s particularly beneficial for beginners or for sessions where intense concentration is undesirable.

Explanation:

• -n 10: This argument tells the program to select 10 words per group. This setting allows for repetition and refinement of typing small word clusters.
• -g 5: Specifies that there should be 5 groups. This means a total of 50 words will be tested in the session, distributed across the groups, helping to compartmentalize the challenge.

Example Output:

words group 1: apple horse bridge time subtle
Type: 

words group 2: arrow river dance night sky
Type: 

...

Use case 3: Start a timed test lasting 10 seconds

Code:

tt -t 10

Motivation:

A timed test lasting a brief 10 seconds is particularly useful for a quick practice session. This type of test is ideal for touch typing practice when you want to quickly measure your burst speed without committing to a lengthy session. It provides a snapshot of your current typing ability, showcasing areas where you can improve.

Explanation:

• -t 10: Initiates a timed test that lasts for 10 seconds. This allows users to focus on speed, testing their maximum typing capability in a short timeframe.

Example Output:

Time left: 10 seconds
Words Typed: fast quick jump 
Your WPM: 60
Errors: 1

Use case 4: Start tt with no theming and showing your WPM as you type

Code:

tt -showwpm -notheme

Motivation:

This setup is particularly suited for users who prefer a minimalist interface with immediate feedback on their typing speed. By removing theming, the focus remains solely on the typing and WPM, making it ideal for those who wish to eliminate distractions and concentrate on performance metrics during practice.

Explanation:

• -showwpm: Enables the live display of Words Per Minute (WPM) calculation as you are typing, offering immediate feedback on your typing speed. This feature helps to motivate typists, enabling them to maintain a consistent speed.
• -notheme: This argument removes any applied themes, aiding users who might find graphical elements distracting. The simplicity helps in maintaining focus purely on the typing task.

Example Output:

Type here: amazing dexterous fun lively agile
Your WPM: 42 (Live)

Conclusion:

The ’tt’ tool provides a comprehensive typing practice environment suitable for typists of all proficiency levels. Each use case highlighted offers a distinct approach to improving typing skills, whether through engaging quotable content, strategic word groupings, rapid timed challenges, or direct speed feedback. By tailoring these options, users can create customized training sessions that align with their personal goals and preferences, helping them to become more efficient and precise typists.