Java is already an incredible language with a massive ecosystem, excellent performance, and rock-solid reliability. We’ve just been leaving it on the bench for an entire category of programming that it’s actually well-suited for.
The terminal isn’t just about quick scripts—it’s about powerful, interactive applications that developers use every day. Java can participate in this space.
The world of terminal tools gets better when more ecosystems participate. We’re not here to compete—we’re here to contribute. To add our unique strengths and perspective. To make the terminal experience richer for everyone.
2026 is the year we change that. The tools are ready. The language is ready. JBang makes distribution trivial. JReleaser makes professional releases easy. Native images make startup instant. Virtual threads make async programming elegant. We just need to shift our mindset and start building.
Who’s with me?
Go write some Java based tools. Build some TUIs. Make them useful. Make them beautiful. Distribute them with JBang. Get feedback, iterate. Eventually Release them fully with JReleaser. Let’s show the world what Java in the terminal can do.
Because honestly? We’ve been sleeping on this for too long. Time to wake up.
Stay tuned — and let’s have fun in 2026!