Bongo Cat

July 3, 2026 · View on GitHub

Watch the cat tap its paws as you type!

Screenshot

Requirements

  • evtest - For monitoring specific keyboard events.
  • libinput CLI - For "All Keyboards" mode.
  • Input group - User must be in the input group: sudo usermod -aG input $USER.

Note

On many distros, the libinput CLI is in a separate package: libinput-tools (Arch/Debian/Ubuntu) or libinput-utils (Fedora). Logout and back in after adding your user to the input group.

If a requirement is missing, the cat shows a warning badge with setup instructions.

Install

Use the DMS CLI:

dms plugins install bongoCat

Or manually:

git clone https://github.com/hthienloc/dms-bongo-cat ~/.config/DankMaterialShell/plugins/bongoCat

Features

  • Real-time typing - Cat reacts to your keyboard input.
  • Blink & sleep - Blinks when active, sleeps after inactivity.
  • Adjustable size - Customize from 50% to 200%.
  • Cat color - Keep classic black & white, follow your theme's accent, or pick a custom color.
  • Mouse interaction (optional) - Paws react to clicks and scrolling (enable in settings).
  • Typing metrics (optional) - Live WPM and accuracy tracking with a privacy-first approach.
  • Key sounds (optional) - Soft click as you type, with adjustable volume.

Usage

ActionResult
Left clickOpen settings
Right clickToggle sleep mode

Keyboard Selection

Select a specific keyboard in settings to filter input. If a non-keyboard device appears in the list, please open an issue.

Roadmap / TODO

  • Improved Key-Hold Logic: Refine input polling for sustained key presses.
  • Mouse Interaction: Animate paws reacting to clicks and scrolling.
  • Performance Metrics (WPM): Live typing speed and correction rate.
  • Extended Skin Library: Support for custom skins and cat variants.

Credits

  • @StrayRogue — Creator of the original Bongo Cat artwork used by the bongocat widget
  • BongoCat — Desktop implementation reference

License

MIT