Terminal Card Search

TUI program to easily search for trading cards and never leave the terminal

Summary

Card Search Go is an open-source command-line application written in Go that enables Magic: The Gathering (MTG) players and collectors to search the comprehensive Scryfall database directly from their terminal. The project addresses the need for quick, efficient card lookups without requiring a web browser, making it particularly valuable for developers, competitive players, and deck builders who prefer terminal-based workflows.

Project Overview

Background

Magic: The Gathering, with over 25,000 unique cards, presents a significant challenge for players attempting to search and reference cards during deck construction, gameplay preparation, or collection management. While web-based solutions like Scryfall offer powerful search capabilities, they require context switching from terminal environments where many technical users spend their time.

Card Search Go leverages the Scryfall API to provide instant access to MTG card data through a lightweight command-line interface. Built with Go, the application offers fast performance, cross-platform compatibility, and seamless integration into terminal-based workflows.

Repository: https://github.com/cloudsmyth/card-search-go

Key Features

  • Fast Card Searches: Query the Scryfall database with minimal latency
  • Terminal Integration: Seamless workflow for command-line users
  • Comprehensive Data: Access card names, mana costs, types, oracle text, and more
  • Lightweight Design: Minimal dependencies and fast execution
  • Open Source: Publicly available on GitHub for community contributions

Use Cases

Primary User Scenarios

1. Competitive Deck Building

Players constructing competitive decks need rapid access to card information to evaluate synergies, check legality, and verify exact wording. Card Search Go enables instant lookups without leaving their text editor or terminal-based deck management tools.

2. Developer Integration

Software developers building MTG-related applications or bots can integrate Card Search Go into their workflows for testing, validation, or as a dependency in larger systems. The tool’s simple interface makes it ideal for scripting and automation.

3. Collection Management

Collectors managing large inventories can quickly verify card details, check pricing trends through Scryfall’s data, and maintain accurate records without maintaining multiple browser tabs.

4. Content Creation

Streamers, content creators, and tournament organizers can quickly reference card details during live broadcasts or event coverage without disrupting their workflow.

Development Approach

Design Philosophy

The project follows Unix philosophy principles: do one thing well, maintain simplicity, and enable composability. By focusing exclusively on card searches rather than attempting to be a comprehensive MTG tool suite, Card Search Go delivers exceptional performance in its core function.

Implementation Highlights

Scryfall API Integration

The application interfaces with Scryfall’s RESTful API, which provides comprehensive, regularly updated card data. The integration implements:

  • Proper rate limiting to respect API guidelines
  • Robust error handling for network issues
  • Efficient response parsing and data presentation
  • Support for various search parameters and filters

User Experience Design

The command-line interface prioritizes clarity and efficiency:

  • Search results display essential card information in a formatted, easy-to-read layout
  • Works well in any terminal environment
  • Supports both exact card name searches and fuzzy matching
  • Minimal keystrokes required for common operations

Error Handling

Robust error handling ensures graceful failures for:

  • Network connectivity issues
  • API unavailability or rate limiting
  • Invalid queries or malformed input
  • Missing or incomplete card data

Clear error messages guide users toward resolution without exposing internal implementation details.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: API Rate Limiting

Problem: Scryfall’s API has rate limits to prevent abuse and ensure service stability.

Solution: Implemented intelligent rate limiting with exponential backoff, request queuing, and user feedback when delays occur.

Challenge 2: Terminal Display Formatting

Problem: Different terminal environments have varying capabilities and display widths.

Solution: Dynamic formatting that adapts to terminal size, with fallback options for limited environments.

Challenge 3: Fuzzy Search Accuracy

Problem: Users may not know exact card names or may have typos.

Solution: Leveraged Scryfall’s fuzzy matching capabilities and provided clear feedback when multiple matches are found.

Future Enhancements

Potential areas for expansion include:

  • Caching: Local cache for frequently searched cards to reduce API calls
  • Advanced Filtering: Support for complex search queries (color, mana cost, card type)
  • Price Information: Integration of pricing data from multiple sources
  • Format Legality: Quick checks for card legality in various formats
  • Image Display: Terminal-based image rendering for supported terminals
  • Configuration: User preferences for default display options

Conclusion

Card Search Go exemplifies effective tool design: it solves a specific problem well, integrates seamlessly into existing workflows, and maintains simplicity without sacrificing functionality. By leveraging Go’s strengths and Scryfall’s robust API, the project delivers tangible value to the Magic: The Gathering community.

The project demonstrates that modern command-line tools remain relevant and valuable, particularly for technical users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows. As the MTG community continues to grow and evolve, tools like Card Search Go that bridge the gap between web services and terminal environments will continue to serve an important niche.

Project Links

© 2025 | Spencer Smith | Software Engineer | Full Stack Developer