Metadata-Version: 2.4
Name: the-nest
Version: 1.0.0
Summary: A tiny ASCII arcade shooter for the terminal: space dragons are laying eggs, don't let them hatch.
Author: sata
License-Expression: MIT
Keywords: game,arcade,terminal,ascii,curses,shooter
Classifier: Development Status :: 5 - Production/Stable
Classifier: Environment :: Console :: Curses
Classifier: Intended Audience :: End Users/Desktop
Classifier: Operating System :: POSIX :: Linux
Classifier: Operating System :: MacOS
Classifier: Operating System :: Microsoft :: Windows
Classifier: Programming Language :: Python :: 3
Classifier: Topic :: Games/Entertainment :: Arcade
Requires-Python: >=3.8
Description-Content-Type: text/markdown
License-File: LICENSE
Requires-Dist: windows-curses; platform_system == "Windows"
Dynamic: license-file

# THE NEST

A tiny ASCII arcade shooter for the terminal, by **sata**.

Space dragons crawl across the sky above their nest, laying eggs as they go.
The eggs warm up (white, yellow, red) and hatch into little dragons that dive
straight at you. Shoot the heads, split the bodies, and don't let them hatch.

```
 SCORE 000200                   WAVE 1                HI-SCORE 005000
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
|                           \,_.-~^^^~-._,/                          |
|                             \__.---.__/                            |
|                               `-----'                              |
|                                                                    |
|                             __________-^                           |
|                            {oOoOoOoOoO: o{                         |
|                                        -"                          |
|                    .-.                                             |
|                    (_)                          /o\                |
|                                                 \"/                |
|                                                                    |
|                                 /"\                                |
|                                [=0=]                               |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
 /"\ /"\ /"\
```

Pure Python and the standard library. No graphics, no extra downloads: it runs
in any terminal, over SSH, and on the bare console of a Linux server.

## Install

The easiest way is [pipx](https://pipx.pypa.io), which installs command-line
programs in their own little space:

```bash
pipx install the-nest
```

Then just type:

```bash
thenest
```

You can also use plain pip inside a virtual environment
(`pip install the-nest`), or try it without installing anything:

```bash
python3 -m the_nest      # from the source folder: PYTHONPATH=src python3 -m the_nest
```

## How to play

| Key            | Action                     |
|----------------|----------------------------|
| Arrows / A D   | Move                       |
| Space          | Fire (one shot at a time)  |
| P              | Pause                      |
| Q              | Quit                       |

- **Dragon head**: 100 points, plus 10 for every body segment. Long dragons are worth more.
- **Dragon body**: 20 points, and the dragon splits in two. The tail turns around and keeps going.
- **Egg**: 10 points. **Hatchling**: 30 points. If a hatchling reaches the ground, you lose a life.
- **Extra life** every 2000 points.
- Every 3 waves there is a **bonus stage**: the hatchlings line up in formation.
  Shoot them all before time runs out for a **PERFECT** bonus.

Your top 10 is saved in `~/.the_nest_scores`.

## Requirements

- Python 3.8 or newer
- A terminal of at least 62 x 26 characters (bigger is better)
- Linux and macOS work out of the box. On Windows, pip installs
  `windows-curses` automatically; use Windows Terminal.

On the Linux text console the game switches to a large font while you play
and restores yours when you quit. Use `thenest --normal-font` to keep your font.

## Credits

- **Game design, art direction, ASCII art and playtesting:** sata
- **Programming:** written with Claude, an AI assistant made by Anthropic,
  directed and reviewed by sata

## License

MIT. Made by sata, 2026.

You're free to play it, change it and share it. If you make your own version,
a credit like "original game by sata" is appreciated.
