Google Terminal Easter Egg transforms modern Google Search into a 1980s-style command line interface. Green text glows on a black background, a simulated dial-up modem chirps through its handshake sequence, and you type search queries as if you’re accessing an old Bulletin Board System. It’s a fully functional tribute to early computing that lets you search the web like it’s 1985.
Before graphical browsers existed, people connected to online services through BBSs — text-based systems accessed via modem where users could read messages, share files, and chat. Everything happened through typed commands on monochrome screens. Google Terminal recreates that experience with authentic details: boot sequences, flickering text, ASCII art, and the unmistakable sounds of dial-up connections. Created by N. Landsteiner of mass:werk in 2012, it imagines what Google might have looked like if it existed during the BBS era.
The Easter egg offers multiple display modes to match vintage hardware. Choose classic green phosphor for that authentic terminal glow, switch to amber monochrome for a different retro feel, or enable CRT scan lines for extra authenticity. There’s even a virtual keyboard for those who want the full experience. Despite the vintage interface, the search functionality works exactly as you’d expect — type a query, hit enter, and see results rendered in glorious text-only format.
What makes Google Terminal special is how it blends nostalgia with education. For those who remember BBSs, it’s a trip down memory lane. For younger users, it’s an introduction to how computing worked before everything became graphical. Either way, it demonstrates that simple command-line interfaces can still be satisfying and functional.
How To Use Google Terminal Easter Egg
Wait for the boot sequence to complete when the page loads. You’ll see text scrolling as the simulated system initialises, complete with dial-up modem sounds.
Type your search query at the command prompt and press Enter. The interface accepts searches just like regular Google, but displays results in terminal-style text format.
Use special commands to customise the experience. Switch between green, amber, or colour display modes. Enable scan lines for that authentic CRT monitor look.
Continue typing new queries to keep searching. The interface stays in terminal mode throughout your session, maintaining the retro aesthetic while delivering modern search results.
The Easter egg works on desktop and mobile browsers, with a virtual keyboard available for touch devices.