cowsay

What it is and what it does

cowsay is a Python port of the classic Linux cowsay utility, which renders ASCII art animals speaking text messages. It provides both a Python API (functions like `cowsay.cow()` and `cowsay.draw()`) and a command-line interface for generating decorative terminal output. The package includes 19 built-in characters and supports custom ASCII art figures.

The package has no runtime dependencies and installs cleanly on Python 3.8 through 3.12. It is primarily used for adding visual flair to terminal output, shell scripts, or documentation—a utility rather than a production library. Maintenance is dormant (last release September 2023, last commit December 2024), so bug fixes or feature additions are unlikely.

Use it for:

• Add decorative ASCII art messages to shell scripts or terminal applications for visual appeal
• Generate fun terminal output in documentation, README files, or CLI tool help text
• Create custom ASCII art characters and display them with text in Python scripts
• Render text-to-ASCII-art conversions for terminal-based games or interactive tools

Worth the install?

AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying

Renders ASCII art animals and custom characters that display text messages, available as both a Python API and command-line tool.

Yes, if you need terminal ASCII art output for scripts or documentation and accept the copyleft license. The package is stable, has no dependencies, and works on modern Python versions. However, dormant maintenance means no active support; install only if the current feature set meets your needs and you do not require ongoing updates.

Install

cowsay on PyPI

pip install cowsay

uv add cowsay

poetry add cowsay

Installing cowsay

Before you install

Low install friction with no runtime dependencies. Maintenance is dormant—last release was over a year ago and the last commit was late 2024, though the repository remains active and the package supports current Python versions (3.8–3.12).

License in practice

Licensed under GNU-GPL (copyleft). Any derivative work or bundled distribution must also be open-source under a compatible license; proprietary use is not permitted.

Quickstart

pip install cowsay

import cowsay
cowsay.cow('Hello World')

# Or from command line:
# cowsay -t "Hello World"
# cowsay -t "Hello World" -c "tux"

Verify before relying

• Whether the package is actively maintained or if dormant status signals end-of-life intent
• Whether all 19 built-in characters (beavis, cheese, cow, daemon, dragon, fox, ghostbusters, kitty, meow, miki, milk, octopus, pig, stegosaurus, stimpy, trex, turkey, turtle, tux) are fully functional

Package facts

Evidence: cowsay-6.1-py3-none-any.whl

Tags

More Utilities packages