{
  "id": 16767662,
  "title": "Echoes of the Terminal: a haunted shell that runs on your own machine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/echoes-of-the-terminal-a-haunted-shell-that-runs-on-your-own-machine",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-27T16:47:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dev.to",
    "slug": "dev-to",
    "url": "https://dev.to/coderralph/echoes-of-the-terminal-a-haunted-shell-that-runs-on-your-own-machine-gle"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "This is a submission for the Hacktoberfest Open-Source AI Challenge Week 4, titled \"Ghost in the Machine\". The project is called \"Echoes of the Terminal\", a shell that responds to your commands. When you type \"git push --force .\", the terminal replies with a warning: \"Are you sure you want to rewrite history, mortal?\" This is produced by an open-weight model running on your own machine, which monitors each command you input, along with its exit status, current directory, git branch, time, and previous command.\n\nThe system warns about dangerous commands like \"rm -rf node_modules\" while remarking about your \"sterile existence\" for harmless ones like \"ls\" or \"pwd\". Failures receive smug responses. There are two versions of this shell: a web shell with a CRT-like appearance, and \"haunt\", a command-line interface that takes control of your real shell. To use \"haunt\", you simply type \"haunt git push --force\" or integrate it with bash or zsh for commentary on every command you type.\n\nThe software takes a literal approach to its haunted theme, ensuring each warning accurately reflects the command's impact. For instance, a warning about \"rm -rf\" still provides true information. There's also a \"séance mode\" that allows the software to take over, shouting \"PAYROLL BUREAUCRACY\" when you comment in different programming languages.\n\nThe project is available at echoes-of-the-terminal.vercel.app. You can try commands like \"git push --force\", \"rm -rf node_modules\", and \"cat .env\" in the shell. Running \"seance cobol\" after that will demonstrate the system's capabilities. The shell is simulated, so nothing you type affects your machine. To activate a real model, open the sieance board and select one. The scripted ghost speaks until a model is recognized.",
  "summary": "This is a submission for the Hacktoberfest Open-Source AI Challenge Week 4: Ghost in the Machine What I Built Echoes of the Terminal is a shell that answers back. You type git push --force . The command runs, and then something in the terminal speaks: Are you sure you want to rewrite history, mortal? The dead do not like being disturbed, and your teammates' commits will not rest quietly. That…",
  "key_points": [
    "\"Echoes of the Terminal\" is a shell that responds to commands on your machine.",
    "It warns about dangerous commands like \"git push --force\" while remarking on harmless ones.",
    "The software offers a command-line interface called \"haunt\" to take control of the real shell."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}