Coding coding of quick reading application with Python in just 15 minutes

Photo by the author Ideogram

Imagine: you have an idea for quick reading. Instead of spending hours studying Python modules and libraries, coding various components and debugging syntactic errors, you just describe what you want in ordinary English. Within a few minutes, you improve the size of the fonts and discuss the improvements of user experiences with AI coding partner.

It is “atmospheric coding” – a approach based on cooperation in which natural language instructions facilitate to get functional applications through an iterative conversation. It is not about replacing customary coding skills, but about accelerating travel from concept to a working prototype.

Today I will lead you through the way I have built a fully functional RSVP application (quick series of visual presentation) reading speed in just 15 minutes with Python.

🔗 Link to the GitHub speed reading application

Transition from idea to implementation

Say you have an idea and would like to cod it. If you are already using chatgpt, claude or gemini, you can still apply the same. I recommend trying these hints (or better versions) to see what you can build.

Step 1: Describe what you want to build

You can open with a plain request:

“I would like to create an application to read the command line speed using Python, which implements RSVP technique (fast visual series). The application should work on Ubuntu, display words sequentially with adjustable speeds and contain basic controls based on the keyboard inputs. Can you provide clean, well -organized implements with correct errors?”

No technical specifications. No detailed requirements. Only a clear intention. Here, climate coding is super nippy – you start with WhatNO How.

It gives us a good starting point. From this initial prompt you should get a functional application for reading speed based on the terminal:

class RSVPReader:
    def __init__(self, text, wpm=250, chunk_size=1):
        self.text = text
        self.wpm = wpm
        self.words = self._prepare_text()
        self.current_index = 0
        self.is_paused = False
        self.delay = 60.0 / (wpm * chunk_size)

The initial implementation includes:

• Text processing: Division of content into legible pieces
• Speed ​​control: configurable words per minute
• Interactive controls: pause, resumption, navigation, speed adjustment
• Tracking progress: visual feedback with progress stripes
• File handling: Read from text files or direct input

You can check for full implementation of the class rsvp_reader.py file.

Step 2: Escalate the user’s experience

A request for improvements, we used a descriptive, target -oriented language:

“I would like to improve the visual presentation by focusing the text display in the terminal window and increasing the pressure on the font for better readability. Can you modify the code to more effectively use the terminal center area, while maintaining clean, professional performance?”

This caused terminal manipulation:

def _get_terminal_size(self):
	"""Get terminal dimensions for responsive layout"""
	try:
    import shutil
    cols, rows = shutil.get_terminal_size()
    return cols, rows
	except OSError:
    	    return 80, 24  # Sensible fallbacks

Now the speed reading application is still working. However, we can add final improvements.

Step 3: If necessary, share the user interface requirements

Our last claim of iteration clearly determines the requirements:

“I would like to improve the interface design with these specific requirements: 1) display the text in the middle of the 40% of the terminal screen, 2) reduce the default reading speed for better understanding, 3) create a static control interface that does not refresh, and only the text is updated dynamically, 4) maintain clean boundaries around the active display area. behavior of all existing functions? “

This caused the following final control:

def _get_display_area(self):
    """Get the 40% center rectangle dimensions"""
    cols, rows = self._get_terminal_size()
    
    display_width = int(cols * 0.4)
    display_height = int(rows * 0.4)
    
    start_col = (cols - display_width) // 2
    start_row = (rows - display_height) // 2
    
    return start_col, start_row, display_width, display_height

def _draw_static_interface(self):
    """Draw the static interface"""
    # Controls stay fixed, only words change

Review of technical specifics

We have the speed of speed that we have built in the RSVP application.

Doubts about responsive controls

This method intercepts the keyboard in real time without stopping the main program, switching the terminal to RAW mode and using the non -blocking of the reply of We/D:

def _get_keyboard_input(self):
    """Non-blocking keyboard input handler"""
    old_settings = termios.tcgetattr(sys.stdin)
    try:
        tty.setraw(sys.stdin.fileno())
        while self.is_running:
            if select.select([sys.stdin], [], [], 0.1)[0]:
                # Handle real-time input without blocking

SMART Terminal positioning

This method places the text on the exact coordinates on the terminal screen using the Ansi escape sequence, where the code moves the cursor to a specific row and column before printing the word:

def _display_word(self, word):
    # Exploit ANSI escape codes for precise positioning
    print(f'33[{word_row};{word_start_col}H{large_word}')

Adaptive speed control

This dynamically adjusts the reading speed based on the length of the word, giving users 20% more time for long words (over 8 characters) and 20% less time for brief words (below 4 characters) to optimize understanding:

# Longer words get more display time
word_delay = self.delay
if len(current_word) > 8:
    word_delay *= 1.2
elif len(current_word) < 4:
    word_delay *= 0.8

So yes, you can start the application and see how it works.

First of all, you can make it possible. Make sure you can add Shebang line at the top of the script:

$ chmod +x rsvp_reader.py

You can run it like this:

$ ./rsvp_reader.py sample.txt

More details can be found about Readme file.

Application

Produced our climate coding session:

• A fully functional application for reading speed based on the Python terminal
• Service of variable reading speeds (50-1000+ WPM)
• Real time control for pause, navigation and speed adjustment
• Adaptive display that works on any size of the terminal
• Pristine, without dispelling the interface focused on 40% of the Central Center
• Knowledgeable times of words based on length and complexity

Within 15 minutes we went from a plain idea to a functional application, from which someone can actually apply.

Ready to try the vibe coding? Start with a plain idea, describe it in a plain English and see where the conversation will lead you. The code will follow.

Bala Priya C He is a programmer and technical writer from India. He likes to work at the intersection of mathematics, programming, data science and content creation. Its interest areas and specialist knowledge include Devops, Data Science and Natural Language Processing. He likes to read, write, cod and coffee! He is currently working on learning and sharing his knowledge of programmers, creating tutorials, guides, opinions and many others. Bal also creates a coding resource and tutorial review.