Chafa is a command-line utility that converts all kinds of images, including animated image formats like GIFs, into ANSI/Unicode character output that can be displayed in a terminal.

It is highly configurable, with support for alpha transparency and multiple color modes and color spaces, combining a range of Unicode characters for optimal output.

The core functionality is provided by a C library with a public, well-documented API.

Installing with Package manager

Debian testing/unstable

chafa has been packaged for Debian. Issue the following command to install:

$ sudo apt install chafa

For supported Debian releases please lookup the package status page.

Installing from git

./autogen.sh
make
sudo make install

Further reading

For tarball releases, online documentation, etc. see the official web pages.