cowsay
The famous cowsay for GNU/Linux is now available for python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
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.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
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 · maintenance · safety
GNU-GPL (copyleft) — 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.
last release 2023-09-25 (1054 days) · last repo commit 2024-12-27 · 191 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 830,001 downloads/mo, #4,951 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install cowsay
import cowsay
cowsay.cow('Hello World')
# Or from command line:
# cowsay -t "Hello World"
# cowsay -t "Hello World" -c "tux"- 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
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 on it.
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
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
| License | GNU-GPL copyleft |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.8 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Dormant 1,054 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 830,001 / month, #4,951 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Operating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9 |
Evidence: cowsay-6.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also ascii-magic · pycowsay · art · pyfiglet · graphtty · asciitree · rich-pixels · asciidag · asciimatics · asciichartpy