336 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
336 lines
14 KiB
Markdown
# Unicode Symbols Reference for CLI Design
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This reference provides CLI-safe Unicode symbols with platform compatibility notes and usage recommendations.
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## Status Indicators
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### Success/Completion
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ✓ | U+2713 | Check Mark | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal, highly recommended |
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| ✔ | U+2714 | Heavy Check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bolder variant |
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| ✅ | U+2705 | Check Button| ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji, may render large |
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| ◉ | U+25C9 | Fisheye | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Alternative indicator |
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| ● | U+25CF | Black Circle| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Simple, safe |
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### Failure/Error
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ✗ | U+2717 | Ballot X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal, highly recommended |
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| ✘ | U+2718 | Heavy Ballot X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bolder variant |
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| ❌ | U+274C | Cross Mark | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji, may render large |
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| ⨯ | U+2A2F | Vector Cross| ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Mathematical, less support |
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| × | U+00D7 | Multiplication | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Very safe fallback |
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### Warning/Alert
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ! | U+0021 | Exclamation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ASCII, universal |
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| ⚠ | U+26A0 | Warning Sign| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Good support |
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| ⚠️ | U+26A0 U+FE0F | Warning (Emoji) | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | May render colorful |
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| ⚡ | U+26A1 | High Voltage| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Alternative attention |
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| ⓘ | U+24D8 | Info Circle | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Less common |
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### Neutral/In Progress
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| - | U+002D | Hyphen | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ASCII, universal |
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| • | U+2022 | Bullet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Good for lists |
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| ○ | U+25CB | White Circle| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Hollow indicator |
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| ◦ | U+25E6 | Small Circle| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Smaller variant |
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| ⋯ | U+22EF | Midline Ellipsis | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Indicates processing |
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## Directional Arrows
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### Basic Arrows
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| → | U+2192 | Rightwards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal, highly recommended |
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| ← | U+2190 | Leftwards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal |
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| ↑ | U+2191 | Upwards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal |
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| ↓ | U+2193 | Downwards | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Universal |
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| ↔ | U+2194 | Left-Right | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Bidirectional |
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| ⇄ | U+21C4 | Right-Left | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Over arrows |
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### Special Arrows
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ➜ | U+279C | Heavy Arrow | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Prompt indicator |
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| ⟹ | U+27F9 | Long Right | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Implications |
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| ↩ | U+21A9 | Left Hook | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Return, undo |
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| ↪ | U+21AA | Right Hook | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Forward, redo |
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| ⤴ | U+2934 | Up-Right | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | External link |
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| ⤵ | U+2935 | Down-Right | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Nested content |
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## Tree/Hierarchy Symbols
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### Box Drawing Characters
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| │ | U+2502 | Vertical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tree lines |
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| ─ | U+2500 | Horizontal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tree branches |
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| ├ | U+251C | Middle Node | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tree connector |
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| └ | U+2514 | Last Node | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Tree terminal |
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| ┌ | U+250C | Top-Left | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Box corners |
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| ┐ | U+2510 | Top-Right | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Box corners |
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| ┘ | U+2518 | Bottom-Right| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Box corners |
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| ┤ | U+2524 | Right T | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Box connectors |
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| ┬ | U+252C | Top T | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Box connectors |
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### Tree Connectors (Heavy)
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ┃ | U+2503 | Heavy Vertical | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Emphasis |
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| ━ | U+2501 | Heavy Horizontal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Emphasis |
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| ┣ | U+2523 | Heavy Middle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Emphasis |
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| ┗ | U+2517 | Heavy Last | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Emphasis |
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## List Markers
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### Bullets
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| • | U+2022 | Bullet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Standard list |
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| ◦ | U+25E6 | White Bullet| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Nested lists |
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| ▪ | U+25AA | Black Square| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Alternative |
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| ▸ | U+25B8 | Right Tri | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Collapsible |
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| ▾ | U+25BE | Down Tri | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Expanded |
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| ‣ | U+2023 | Triangular | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Alternative |
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### Numbered Alternatives
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ①②③ | U+2460+ | Circled Digits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1-20 available |
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| ⑴⑵⑶ | U+2474+ | Parenthesized | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 1-20 available |
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| ➀➁➂ | U+2780+ | Sans-Serif | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Less support |
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## Shapes & Indicators
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### Geometric Shapes
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ■ | U+25A0 | Black Square| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Filled indicator |
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| □ | U+25A1 | White Square| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Hollow indicator |
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| ▪ | U+25AA | Small Square| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Compact |
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| ▫ | U+25AB | Small White | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Compact hollow |
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| ▲ | U+25B2 | Black Triangle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Up indicator |
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| △ | U+25B3 | White Triangle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Up hollow |
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| ▼ | U+25BC | Down Triangle | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Down indicator |
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| ▽ | U+25BD | Down White | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Down hollow |
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### Progress Indicators
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ░ | U+2591 | Light Shade | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Progress bar empty |
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| ▒ | U+2592 | Medium Shade| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Progress bar partial |
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| ▓ | U+2593 | Dark Shade | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Progress bar almost |
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| █ | U+2588 | Full Block | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Progress bar filled |
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| ▌ | U+258C | Left Half | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Partial progress |
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| ▐ | U+2590 | Right Half | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Partial progress |
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## Spinners & Animations
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### Rotating Indicators
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| Sequence | Unicode | Description | Notes |
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|----------|---------|-------------|-------|
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| ⠋⠙⠹⠸⠼⠴⠦⠧⠇⠏ | U+280B+ | Braille Dots | Smooth spinner |
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| ◐◓◑◒ | U+25D0-U+25D2 | Circles | Simple rotation |
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| ◴◷◶◵ | U+25F4-U+25F7 | Quadrants | Rotating |
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| ⣾⣽⣻⢿⡿⣟⣯⣷ | U+28BE+ | Braille Heavy | Heavy spinner |
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| ▁▂▃▄▅▆▇█▇▆▅▄▃▂ | U+2581+ | Bars | Growing/shrinking |
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### Discrete States
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ◜◝◞◟ | U+25DC+ | Quarter Circles | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | 4-state indicator |
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| ▖▘▝▗ | U+2596+ | Quarter Blocks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4-state |
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## Special Purpose
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### Git/Version Control
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| + | U+002B | Addition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ASCII, additions |
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| - | U+002D | Deletion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ASCII, deletions |
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| ± | U+00B1 | Plus-Minus | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Changes |
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| ≠ | U+2260 | Not Equal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Conflicts |
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| ∼ | U+223C | Tilde | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Modified |
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| ⎇ | U+2387 | Alternative | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Branch symbol |
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### File Operations
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| 📁 | U+1F4C1 | Folder | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji |
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| 📄 | U+1F4C4 | Document | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji |
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| 🔗 | U+1F517 | Link | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji |
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| 🗑 | U+1F5D1 | Trash | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji |
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| ∅ | U+2205 | Empty Set | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No files |
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### Time & Duration
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| Symbol | Unicode | Description | macOS | Linux | Windows | Notes |
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|--------|---------|-------------|-------|-------|---------|-------|
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| ⏱ | U+23F1 | Stopwatch | ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Timing |
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| ⌛ | U+231B | Hourglass | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Waiting |
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| ⏳ | U+23F3 | Flowing Sand| ✓ | ✓ | Limited | Processing |
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| 🕐 | U+1F550 | Clock | ✓ | ✓ | Windows 10+ | Emoji |
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## Platform Compatibility Guide
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### Universal (Safe Everywhere)
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These work reliably across all platforms:
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- ASCII characters (`!`, `-`, `+`, `*`, `|`)
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- Basic arrows (`→`, `←`, `↑`, `↓`)
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- Check/X marks (`✓`, `✗`)
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- Box drawing (`│`, `─`, `├`, `└`)
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- Basic bullets (`•`, `○`)
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- Basic shapes (`■`, `□`, `▲`, `▼`)
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### Good Support (Modern Terminals)
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Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows 10+:
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- Warning symbols (`⚠`)
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- Extended arrows (`➜`, `↩`, `↪`)
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- Progress blocks (`░`, `▒`, `▓`, `█`)
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- Braille spinners (`⠋`, `⠙`, `⠹`, etc.)
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### Limited Support (Use with Caution)
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May not render on older systems or all terminals:
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- Emoji (`✅`, `❌`, `📁`, `📄`, `🕐`)
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- Specialized math symbols (`⟹`, `⨯`)
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- Advanced geometric shapes (`◴`, `◷`, `◜`, `◝`)
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### Windows Considerations
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- Windows 10+ has much better Unicode support than earlier versions
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- Windows Terminal supports more symbols than legacy cmd.exe
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- PowerShell 7+ has improved rendering
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- Consider providing `-UseAscii` flag for older systems
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## Usage Recommendations
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### 1. Semantic Consistency
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Use the same symbol for the same meaning throughout your CLI:
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```
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✓ Operation completed successfully
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✗ Operation failed
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⚠ Warning: destructive action
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→ Navigate to next step
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```
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### 2. Provide ASCII Fallbacks
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For critical information, offer ASCII alternatives:
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```bash
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if supports_unicode; then
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echo "✓ Success"
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else
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echo "[OK] Success"
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fi
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```
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### 3. Test Rendering
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Always test symbols in:
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- macOS Terminal
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- iTerm2
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- Windows Terminal
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- PowerShell
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- VS Code integrated terminal
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- Linux GNOME Terminal
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### 4. Avoid Emoji in Production CLIs
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Emoji can:
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- Render at different sizes
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- Display in color (disrupting design)
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- Fail on older systems
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- Be inconsistent across fonts
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Use simple Unicode symbols instead.
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### 5. Consider Accessibility
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- Screen readers handle ASCII better than Unicode
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- Provide text alternatives
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- Don't rely solely on symbols for meaning
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## Quick Reference: Common Patterns
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### Status Line
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```
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✓ Task completed
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✗ Task failed
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⚠ Task needs attention
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- Task pending
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```
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### File Tree
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```
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project/
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├── src/
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│ ├── main.rs
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│ └── lib.rs
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├── tests/
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│ └── test.rs
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└── Cargo.toml
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```
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### Progress Bar
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```
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[████████░░] 80%
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[▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▒▒] 8/10 complete
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```
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### List Navigation
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```
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→ Selected item
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Other item
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Another item
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```
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### Spinner States
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```
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⠋ Loading...
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⠙ Loading...
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⠹ Loading...
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⠸ Loading...
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```
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## Testing Utilities
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### Environment Detection
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```bash
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# Check Unicode support
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locale | grep -i utf
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# Check terminal capabilities
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echo $TERM
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# Test symbol rendering
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echo "✓ ✗ ⚠ → ├ ▓"
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```
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### Manual Test String
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Copy this string to test symbol support:
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```
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✓✗⚠!•→←↑↓│─├└■□▲▼░▒▓█⠋⠙⠹⠸
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```
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## Additional Resources
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- Unicode Character Database: https://unicode.org/charts/
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- Terminal compatibility: https://github.com/sindresorhus/figures
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- Box drawing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box-drawing_character
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- Braille patterns: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braille_Patterns
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