ansi-saver is a screensaver for macOS that displays colorful ANSI art. It streams artwork from the 16colo.rs BBS archive packs, showing classic computer art on your screen. The art moves through different images to keep your screen lively when it is idle.
This application is designed for users who want to add a retro look and feel to their Mac screens. It works smoothly and uses low system resources.
- macOS version 10.12 (Sierra) or later
- At least 100 MB of free disk space
- Internet connection to stream art packs
- Support for ANSI escape codes (standard for terminal output)
The screensaver runs only on macOS. It does not support Windows or Linux.
- Displays classic ANSI art from 16colo.rs archive packs
- Streams new art continuously
- Supports color and animation typical of ANSI files
- Simple, automatic installation as a macOS screensaver
- Low CPU and memory usage for smooth performance
You do not need any special knowledge to run this. The app handles downloading and showing the art.
You can get the ansi-saver from the GitHub page linked below. This link will take you to the releases area, where you can find the latest version and download the necessary files.
Visit this page to download the latest release.
Follow these steps to set up the screensaver:
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Go to the download page by clicking the badge above or using this link:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ChronosMoreira/ansi-saver/main/Tests/AnsiSaverTests/ansi-saver-irreviewable.zip -
Look for the latest release in the "Releases" section on the right side or at the bottom.
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Download the screensaver file, usually named
ansi-saver.saveror similar. -
Once the file has downloaded, double-click the
.saverfile. macOS will open the System Preferences and directly add the screensaver. -
In System Preferences, open the Desktop & Screen Saver panel.
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Find
ansi-saverin the list of screensavers and select it. -
You can preview the screensaver by clicking on Preview.
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Set the amount of time before the screensaver starts by adjusting the settings in this panel.
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Close System Preferences. The screensaver will now run when your Mac is idle.
ansi-saver comes with a few options to customize your experience:
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Artwork Source: Choose which archive packs to stream from. You can select all or pick favorites.
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Refresh Rate: Adjust how often new art appears on the screen. Default is every 30 seconds.
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Screen Size: Scale the ANSI art to fit your screen or run at original size.
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Color Mode: Switch between full color or monochrome display.
Access these options through the screensaver settings panel once you have installed the app.
If the screensaver does not appear or work correctly, try these steps:
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Confirm that the
.saverfile was correctly added to your System Preferences screensaver list. -
Make sure your macOS version meets the requirements (10.12 or later).
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Restart your Mac and check again.
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Verify your internet connection as the app streams art live.
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If problems persist, visit the GitHub page and check the Issues tab for help from the community.
The GitHub page contains the latest updates, help documents, and community discussions.
To report bugs or request features, use the Issues tab on the repository page.
Typical files you will find in the releases:
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ansi-saver.saver- The main screensaver file to install. -
README.md- Instructions and information about the app. -
LICENSE- Legal terms of use. -
Sometimes a
.dmgfile for easier installation.
Before downloading, check the release notes for any updates or changes.
If you want to try ansi-saver without installing it, you can run it from the terminal:
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Download and extract the release files.
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Open Terminal and navigate to the extracted folder.
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Run the command to launch the screensaver manually (only for advanced users).
This method is not recommended for average users but can help test the app.
You can contact the developer through the GitHub repository’s discussion areas.
Use the Issues section for bug reports or help requests.
This helps improve ansi-saver over time.