TRUST is an experimental retro TUI IDE for Rust that mimics classic blue-screen DOS environments like Turbo Pascal, wrapping Cargo commands in a keyboard-driven interface.
Key Takeaways
Built with cargo run -- /path/to/rust/project; opens current directory if no path is supplied.
Keybindings mirror DOS IDE conventions: F5 runs, F7 checks, F8 tests, F9 builds, F10 opens the menu bar.
Project pane shows .rs, .toml, and .lock files; skips .git, target, and common build dirs automatically.
Compiler output is captured in a resizable bottom pane; panes and dividers are mouse-resizable.
Self-hosting confirmed: TRUST can build TRUST via Cargo.
Hacker News Comment Review
The dominant thread is ironic: Turbo Pascal on 10 MHz 80286 hardware compiled 34,000 lines/minute, making Rust’s slow compile times feel conspicuous inside a nostalgic wrapper.
Debugger is listed as not implemented, which commenters flagged as the core missing piece that made classic DOS IDEs genuinely productive rather than decorative.
Some commenters noted the project requires an existing Cargo project – standalone .rs files without Cargo.toml will error out, a practical gotcha for new users.
Notable Comments
@pjmlp: Links archived Turbo Pascal 5.5 brochure showing 34,000 lines/minute compile speed on an 80286, framing Rust’s compile performance gap as unresolved.
@wojtczyk: On whether TRUST stands for “Turbo Rust” – “I can neither confirm nor deny” – and notes some Borland trademarks are still active and renewed.
