Running TTRPG Terminal Simulator at the Table

The GM runs the terminal on their laptop, connected to a TV or projector at the table. Players watch; only the GM interacts. This is the simplest setup and requires nothing from players: no accounts, no devices.

Steps

1. 1. Connect your laptop to the TV or projector via HDMI, or wirelessly via Chromecast or AirPlay.
2. 2.Open your terminal session in the browser on your laptop.
3. 3. Press Escape or click the fullscreen button in the terminal header to enter immersive mode. This hides all UI chrome and shows only the terminal interface.
4. 4. Move the fullscreen browser window to the TV display so it fills the screen.
5. 5. Operate the terminal from your laptop keyboard and trackpad while players watch the shared display.

Each player connects to the terminal session on their own phone or tablet. The GM assigns them access ahead of time. Everyone sees the same live state, so when the GM triggers a button, every player's device updates instantly.

Before the session

1. 1. On the dashboard, go to Operators and add each player's email address to your roster.
2. 2. Open your terminal. Go to Access Control and assign each player: Can Operate (they can press buttons) or Can View (read-only).
3. 3. Players create a free account at terminal.tiesthatbindgaming.com. The terminal appears in their Shared With Me list on the dashboard.

During the session

Players open the terminal on their phone or tablet. Everything syncs in real time: button presses, audio, visual state changes. Players with Can Operate access can press buttons themselves; players with Can View just see the updates.

Place a tablet or old phone on the table as an in-world terminal prop. Players physically walk up to it and interact in character. The GM operates it remotely on their own device, and the tablet reflects all changes in real time.

This creates genuine physical presence at the table. The terminal isn't something the GM describes. It's something sitting on the table that players can touch.

Steps

1. 1. Create a free account for the tablet (or use a dedicated "prop device" account). Add it to your Operator Roster on the dashboard.
2. 2. In Access Control, give the tablet account Can Operate access.
3. 3. Open the terminal on the tablet and press Escape to enter fullscreen / immersive mode.
4. 4. Position the tablet on the table: propped in a stand, mounted on a clipboard, or laid flat so players can see and touch it.
5. 5. Operate the session from your own GM device. The tablet reflects every change in real time. Players can touch buttons on the tablet itself for any button the GM has left accessible.

The Desktop edition runs a local server on the GM's machine. Players join via the local network in their browser: no internet connection required, and no accounts needed. Ideal for game stores, conventions, or anywhere with unreliable Wi-Fi.

Steps

1. 1. Download and install the Desktop edition from your dashboard .
2. 2. Open TTRPG Terminal Simulator Desktop. It starts a local server automatically and shows your connection address.
3. 3. Share your local address with players (for example, 192.168.1.42:5000), or have them scan the QR code the app generates.
4. 4. Players open that address in their browser on any device connected to the same Wi-Fi network. They pick their name from your operator list, no account required.