"Rules" that terminal programs follow

This post discusses the informal 'rules' that terminal programs tend to follow, based on 20 years of terminal experience. It outlines behavior patterns such as how noninteractive programs respond to Ctrl-C, the expectation for TUIs to quit with 'q', the behavior of REPLs with Ctrl-D, color usage limitations, and more. The author emphasizes that while these rules are commonly observed, there are exceptions, and understanding them can help new users navigate terminal applications more effectively.