Agent Arcade: Terminal Games with Copilot CLI

Free

Build classic arcade games in the terminal using GitHub Copilot CLI agent mode. From idea to playable game in a weekend, demonstrating how Copilot CLI can generate complete game logic, rendering, and

GamesFreeFree tier

#copilot#intermediate#terminal#arcade#copilot-cli#agent-mode

Type

Saas

Company

Code with Dan

Visit Website

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About Agent Arcade: Terminal Games with Copilot CLI

Agent Arcade is a transparent desktop overlay arcade game built with Tauri, Phaser, and Rust/TypeScript. It floats above other applications, allowing users to quickly switch to a game (Ninja Runner, Galaxy Shooter, or Cosmic Rocks) while waiting for AI agents or terminal tasks to complete. The app features click-through mode so that mouse events pass through transparent areas to underlying apps, and includes a pause menu with a HUD overlay. It was developed over a weekend using GitHub Copilot CLI and runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Key Features

Transparent desktop overlay that floats above other applications

Click-through mode for seamless interaction with underlying apps

Three built-in games: Ninja Runner, Galaxy Shooter, and Cosmic Rocks

Built entirely with GitHub Copilot CLI over a weekend

Cross-platform support (macOS, Windows, Linux) via Tauri

Pause/resume with Escape key and global shortcut

HUD overlay for pause menu (play, game switcher, close)

Resizes to a small HUD bar when paused to avoid blocking other apps

Pros & Cons

Pros

Transparent overlay allows using other apps simultaneously
Built with AI assistance (Copilot CLI) in a single weekend
Small binary footprint thanks to Tauri (Rust-based)
Cross-platform compatibility out of the box
Fun, retro-style games for short breaks

Cons

Still a work in progress with limited polish
Click-through implementation required complex workarounds due to Tauri limitations
Only three games currently available
Not designed as a standalone consumer product—more of a proof of concept
Some issues with keyboard event handling on macOS (CGEventTap conflicts)

Best For

Taking a short mental break while waiting for AI agents or terminal commandsQuick distraction during development workflows without switching contextDemonstrating rapid AI-assisted game development with GitHub Copilot CLI

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FAQ

How was Agent Arcade built?

Agent Arcade was built over a weekend using GitHub Copilot CLI, with Tauri (Rust backend), Phaser (game framework), and TypeScript. Copilot CLI helped scaffold the migration from Electron to Tauri and solve numerous implementation challenges.

What platforms does Agent Arcade support?

Agent Arcade runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

How does the click-through feature work?

The app uses a combination of keydown for pausing (when the game has focus), a global shortcut for unpausing, and resizing the window to just the HUD bar when paused so it doesn't block other applications. This was a workaround since Tauri's set_ignore_cursor_events lacks a forwarding mode.