Why We Built Avenir with a Terminal-Based Navigation Instead of a Navbar
Most platforms use the same layout — a top or side navbar, multiple pages, and dropdown menus.
We wanted to do something different with Avenir.
Instead of traditional navigation, we introduced a command-based navigation system — built directly into a terminal.
Here’s how it works 👇
On the left sidebar, users can see a list of all available navigation codes (we call them exec commands).
Each command represents a page or action — for example:
exec.about→ Opens the About pageexec.waitlist→ Opens the Waitlist pageexec.billboard→ Opens the Pricing/Billboard section
Users can either click a command from the sidebar or type it manually inside the terminal to navigate.
The terminal responds instantly — just like running commands in a coding environment.
This setup gives users two advantages:
Speed — You don’t have to scroll or look for buttons. Type or click, and you’re there.
Immersion — It feels like a workspace built for founders, not just another website.
We designed this system to merge a developer’s workflow with a clean, focused interface — so navigation itself feels like part of the building process.
When Avenir officially launches, this terminal system will expand — new commands, deeper integrations, and even personalized shortcuts for founders.
Our goal is simple:
Make navigation faster, smarter, and more fun — while staying true to what founders already love — the command line.
Honestly, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Everyone’s been trying to make web experiences look futuristic, but Avenir actually makes them feel futuristic. The terminal-style navigation gives off a pure builder’s lab vibe direct, fast, and purpose driven. It’s not just UI. it’s an experience that understands how creators think.
This is such a refreshing approach..
This is really creative. I love how you rethought something as “basic” as navigation and made it feel like a developer’s workspace. It’s refreshing to see design that actually respects how technical users think.
Curious, did you test this flow with non-technical users too? I imagine some would find it empowering, others maybe a bit intimidating. Either way, it’s a super original approach
We're deliberately ditching the standard top/side navbar layout at Avenir and replacing it with a command-based terminal navigation system.
Users navigate by typing commands like exec.about or exec.billboard directly into a terminal interface.
We believe this delivers superior speed and creates an immersive workspace experience that founders will appreciate.
The big question: As an Indie Hacker, does using a terminal to navigate a product sound exciting and efficient, or just annoying
i know the terminal never went away but this year its realllllyy making a comeback
It's an interesting approach to navigation in general looking forward to see how it evolves in the future
Not gonna lie, I didn’t think a command interface would work on the web, but seeing it in Avenir, it does work
I really appreciate the “why” behind this. Terminal-based navigation. Other wise it would have been a bit confusing to navigate for first time users
Really interesting design choice — terminal-based navigation feels nostalgic but also faster for power users. Curious how non-technical users reacted in your tests?
We built Avenir with a terminal-based navigation instead of a traditional navbar to create a faster, distraction-free, and developer-focused experience. This approach emphasizes keyboard efficiency, command-driven control, and a minimalist interface that mirrors how developers naturally work. By replacing menus with intuitive commands, Avenir offers a cleaner workflow, enhanced productivity, and a unique, tech-forward user experience.