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SynchronetBBS
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text

Customize Synchronet BBS text strings via text.dat and text.ini overrides.

107|19|Updated Sep 4, 2020
Search Tags:#localization#synchronet#bbs#text customization#text.ini#text.dat#ctrl-a codes
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/SynchronetBBS/sbbs --skill text-synchronetbbs
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: text
Source: https://github.com/SynchronetBBS/sbbs/tree/main/.claude/skills/text
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/SynchronetBBS/sbbs --skill text-synchronetbbs

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the pain point of BBS system operators needing to customize the text strings, prompts, and translations sent to remote users, without modifying core compiled files or losing changes during Synchronet upgrades.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Core text database editing: Full guidance for modifying the ctrl/text.dat string database, including syntax for Ctrl-A attribute codes, @-codes, printf %-specifiers, mnemonics, escape sequences, and multi-line string continuation.
  • Non-destructive overrides: Support for using the ctrl/text.ini runtime override file to apply customizations that survive BBS upgrades, including global substring substitutions for system-wide retheming and per-language text.<lang>.ini overlays for localization.
  • Pitfall avoidance: Clear explanations of common mistakes like the decimal vs hexadecimal escape sequence trap, mutual exclusion of %-specifiers and @-codes, and the required server recycle step to apply changes.
  • Use Case: A sysop can use this Skill to quickly retheme their entire BBS by replacing all green Ctrl-A color codes with magenta via a single [substr] entry in text.ini, or translate all user-facing prompts to German without editing the core text.dat file.

Quick Start

Use the text skill to modify the ctrl/text.ini file to replace all occurrences of the word "Group" with "Area" in every BBS message sent to users, then recycle the terminal server to apply the global substitution.

Frequently Asked Questions about text

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I customize Synchronet BBS text strings without losing changes during upgrades?▼

To customize Synchronet BBS text strings non-destructively, use the ctrl/text.ini runtime override file to apply customizations that safely survive BBS upgrades instead of editing the core text.dat database.

Can I translate all user-facing prompts in Synchronet BBS to another language?▼

Yes, you can translate user-facing prompts by implementing per-language text.<lang>.ini overlays, such as text.de.ini for German, without directly editing the core compiled text.dat string database.

How do I retheme my BBS colors globally using Ctrl-A attribute codes?▼

You can retheme your BBS globally by adding a single [substr] entry in text.ini to replace all occurrences of specific Ctrl-A color codes, like swapping green for magenta across the system.

Why are my Synchronet BBS text customization changes not showing up?▼

Text customization changes require a terminal server recycle procedure to apply, meaning your modified text.ini overrides or text.dat edits will not appear to remote users until the server is recycled.

What is the difference between printf %-specifiers and @-codes in Synchronet text.dat?▼

Printf %-specifiers and @-codes are mutually exclusive in Synchronet text.dat strings; using them together causes formatting errors, so you must choose the correct variable insertion method for each prompt.

How do I avoid the decimal vs hexadecimal escape sequence trap in BBS text?▼

To avoid the decimal vs hexadecimal escape sequence trap in BBS text editing, carefully distinguish between decimal and hexadecimal syntax when writing escape sequences in text.dat or text.ini files.

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