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ConsoleMonster

Your first report

Turn a list of results into a report with a title, a facts line, a status table and bars, then save it as HTML, SVG or text.

This guide builds a script that takes a list of results and prints a report people can read at a glance: a title, a line of counts, a table with a status column and a bar per server, saved as a web page as well. The data is four invented servers, so the script runs anywhere; replace it with your own at the end.

Show-Console 80×1924-bitFull
The finished report at 80 columns. The full script is at the end of the page.

1. Start from data

A report starts from objects. In PowerShell they are [pscustomobject] rows, the same shape a command such as Get-Service returns; in C# a record per row. Counting the statuses up front keeps the facts line honest when the data changes.

Import-Module ConsoleMonster

$servers = @(
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs01.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 62; Status = 'Pass' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs02.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 81; Status = 'Warn' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'sql01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Database'; Disk = 93; Status = 'Fail' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'web01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Web'; Disk = 40; Status = 'Pass' }
)
$passed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Pass').Count
$warnings = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Warn').Count
$failed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Fail').Count

var servers = new Server[]
{
    new("fs01.contoso.example", "File", 62, "Pass"),
    new("fs02.contoso.example", "File", 81, "Warn"),
    new("sql01.contoso.example", "Database", 93, "Fail"),
    new("web01.contoso.example", "Web", 40, "Pass")
};
int passed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Pass");
int warnings = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Warn");
int failed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Fail");

record Server(string Name, string Role, int Disk, string Status);

2. Show the rows as a table

New-ConsoleTable picks the columns and -StatusProperty turns the Status column into status words with their symbol and colour. Pipe it to Show-Console to see it straight away. In C#, Table.For takes the rows and one Column per property.

$servers | New-ConsoleTable -Property Name, Role, Disk, Status -StatusProperty Status | Show-Console

var table = Table.For(servers)
    .Column(row => row.Name)
    .Column(row => row.Role)
    .Column(row => row.Disk)
    .Column(row => row.Status, column => column.Presenter = CellPresenters.StatusWord);
Terminal.Write(table);

Numbers align to the right and the table fits the window: on a narrow one, columns hide by priority and then rows turn into cards.

3. Add a title and a facts line

A rule with a title heads the report, and a facts line says what matters before anyone reads a row. Each fact has a value, a label and optionally a role, which colours the count and its word together.

New-ConsoleRule -Title '[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]'
New-ConsoleFacts -Content {
    @{ Value = $passed; Label = 'healthy'; Role = 'Pass' }
    @{ Value = $warnings; Label = 'warning'; Role = 'Warn' }
    @{ Value = $failed; Label = 'failed'; Role = 'Fail' }
    @{ Value = $servers.Count; Label = 'servers' }
}

var title = new Rule("[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]");
var facts = new ViewFacts().Add(passed, "healthy", ThemeToken.Pass)
    .Add(warnings, "warning", ThemeToken.Warn)
    .Add(failed, "failed", ThemeToken.Fail)
    .Add(servers.Length, "servers");

4. Add a bar per server

A bar chart with -Maximum 100 draws each value as a share of the whole, with the percentage on the right. -Warning and -Critical colour the bars that cross them, so the full disk stands out without a legend.

New-ConsolePanel -Title 'Disk used' -HeaderRight '% of capacity' -Content {
    $servers | New-ConsoleChart -Property Disk -Label Name -Unit '%' -Maximum 100 -Warning 80 -Critical 90
}

BarChart disk = new BarChart { Unit = "%", Maximum = 100, Warning = 80, Critical = 90 };
foreach (var server in servers)
    disk.Add(server.Name, server.Disk);
var bars = new Panel(disk, "Disk used") { HeaderRight = "% of capacity" };

5. Put it together

New-ConsoleRows stacks the parts with a blank row between them. Nothing is drawn until the finished report is passed to Show-Console (Terminal.Write in C#), so the same $report can be printed, exported or placed inside a bigger layout. How it works explains the model.

$report = New-ConsoleRows -Gap 1 -Content {
    New-ConsoleRule -Title '[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]'
    New-ConsoleFacts -Content {
        @{ Value = $passed; Label = 'healthy'; Role = 'Pass' }
        @{ Value = $warnings; Label = 'warning'; Role = 'Warn' }
        @{ Value = $failed; Label = 'failed'; Role = 'Fail' }
        @{ Value = $servers.Count; Label = 'servers' }
    }
    New-ConsoleTable -InputObject $servers -Property Name, Role, Disk, Status -StatusProperty Status
    New-ConsolePanel -Title 'Disk used' -HeaderRight '% of capacity' -Content {
        $servers | New-ConsoleChart -Property Disk -Label Name -Unit '%' -Maximum 100 -Warning 80 -Critical 90
    }
}
$report | Show-Console

Rows report = new Rows(title, facts, table, bars) { Gap = 1 };
Terminal.Write(report);

6. Save it as HTML, SVG or text

Export-ConsoleFrame writes the same report to a file, choosing the format from the extension. The HTML page is self-contained, with selectable text and a dark and a light rendering that follow the reader's setting; the SVG draws borders and bars as shapes, so it stays sharp in a slide or a wiki. -Width sets the width in cells (the terminal's width otherwise).

$report | Export-ConsoleFrame -Path ./server-report.html -Width 80
$report | Export-ConsoleFrame -Path ./server-report.svg -Width 80 -Title 'Nightly server report'
$report | Export-ConsoleFrame -Path ./server-report.txt -Width 80

var options = new ExportOptions { Width = 80 };
ConsoleExporter.Save(report, "server-report.html", options: options);
ConsoleExporter.Save(report, "server-report.svg", options: options);
ConsoleExporter.Save(report, "server-report.txt", options: options);

report.Export("server-report.html", options => options.Width = 80);
report.Export("server-report.svg", options => options.Width = 80);
report.Export("server-report.txt", options => options.Width = 80);

-Format Markdown writes the table as a Markdown table instead, ready for a pull request, a wiki or a CI job summary.

The full script

Install-Module ConsoleMonster -Scope CurrentUser
PowerShellfirst-report.ps1
# 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
$servers = @(
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs01.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 62; Status = 'Pass' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs02.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 81; Status = 'Warn' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'sql01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Database'; Disk = 93
        Status = 'Fail' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'web01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Web'; Disk = 40; Status = 'Pass' }
)
$passed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Pass').Count
$warnings = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Warn').Count
$failed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Fail').Count

# 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
$report = New-ConsoleRows -Gap 1 -Content {
    New-ConsoleRule -Title '[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]'
    New-ConsoleFacts -Content {
        @{ Value = $passed; Label = 'healthy'; Role = 'Pass' }
        @{ Value = $warnings; Label = 'warning'; Role = 'Warn' }
        @{ Value = $failed; Label = 'failed'; Role = 'Fail' }
        @{ Value = $servers.Count; Label = 'servers' }
    }
    New-ConsoleTable -InputObject $servers -Property Name, Role, Disk, Status -StatusProperty Status
    New-ConsolePanel -Title 'Disk used' -HeaderRight '% of capacity' -Content {
        $chartParameters = @{
            Property = 'Disk'
            Label = 'Name'
            Unit = '%'
            Maximum = 100
            Warning = 80
            Critical = 90
        }
        $servers | New-ConsoleChart @chartParameters
    }
}

# 3. Print it once.
$report | Show-Console
Full program
Import-Module ConsoleMonster

# 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
$servers = @(
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs01.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 62; Status = 'Pass' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'fs02.contoso.example'; Role = 'File'; Disk = 81; Status = 'Warn' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'sql01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Database'; Disk = 93
        Status = 'Fail' }
    [pscustomobject] @{ Name = 'web01.contoso.example'; Role = 'Web'; Disk = 40; Status = 'Pass' }
)
$passed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Pass').Count
$warnings = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Warn').Count
$failed = @($servers | Where-Object Status -EQ 'Fail').Count

# 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
$report = New-ConsoleRows -Gap 1 -Content {
    New-ConsoleRule -Title '[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]'
    New-ConsoleFacts -Content {
        @{ Value = $passed; Label = 'healthy'; Role = 'Pass' }
        @{ Value = $warnings; Label = 'warning'; Role = 'Warn' }
        @{ Value = $failed; Label = 'failed'; Role = 'Fail' }
        @{ Value = $servers.Count; Label = 'servers' }
    }
    New-ConsoleTable -InputObject $servers -Property Name, Role, Disk, Status -StatusProperty Status
    New-ConsolePanel -Title 'Disk used' -HeaderRight '% of capacity' -Content {
        $chartParameters = @{
            Property = 'Disk'
            Label = 'Name'
            Unit = '%'
            Maximum = 100
            Warning = 80
            Critical = 90
        }
        $servers | New-ConsoleChart @chartParameters
    }
}

# 3. Print it once.
$report | Show-Console

Run: ./first-report.ps1

Terminal
dotnet new console -n ServerReport
cd ServerReport
dotnet add package ConsoleMonster
C#Program.cs
// 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
var servers = new Server[]
{
    new("fs01.contoso.example", "File", 62, "Pass"),
    new("fs02.contoso.example", "File", 81, "Warn"),
    new("sql01.contoso.example", "Database", 93, "Fail"),
    new("web01.contoso.example", "Web", 40, "Pass")
};
int passed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Pass");
int warnings = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Warn");
int failed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Fail");

// 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
var table = Table.For(servers)
    .Column(row => row.Name)
    .Column(row => row.Role)
    .Column(row => row.Disk)
    .Column(row => row.Status, column => column.Presenter = CellPresenters.StatusWord);

BarChart disk = new BarChart
{
    Unit = "%",
    Maximum = 100,
    Warning = 80,
    Critical = 90
};
foreach (var server in servers)
    disk.Add(server.Name, server.Disk);

Rows report = new Rows(
    new Rule("[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]"),
    new ViewFacts().Add(passed, "healthy", ThemeToken.Pass)
        .Add(warnings, "warning", ThemeToken.Warn)
        .Add(failed, "failed", ThemeToken.Fail)
        .Add(servers.Length, "servers"),
    table,
    new Panel(disk, "Disk used") { HeaderRight = "% of capacity" })
{
    Gap = 1
};

// 3. Print it once.
Terminal.Write(report);

record Server(string Name, string Role, int Disk, string Status);
Full program
using ConsoleMonster;
using ConsoleMonster.Layout;
using ConsoleMonster.Presenters;
using ConsoleMonster.Styling;
using ConsoleMonster.Widgets;

// 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
var servers = new Server[]
{
    new("fs01.contoso.example", "File", 62, "Pass"),
    new("fs02.contoso.example", "File", 81, "Warn"),
    new("sql01.contoso.example", "Database", 93, "Fail"),
    new("web01.contoso.example", "Web", 40, "Pass")
};
int passed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Pass");
int warnings = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Warn");
int failed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Fail");

// 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
var table = Table.For(servers)
    .Column(row => row.Name)
    .Column(row => row.Role)
    .Column(row => row.Disk)
    .Column(row => row.Status, column => column.Presenter = CellPresenters.StatusWord);

BarChart disk = new BarChart
{
    Unit = "%",
    Maximum = 100,
    Warning = 80,
    Critical = 90
};
foreach (var server in servers)
    disk.Add(server.Name, server.Disk);

Rows report = new Rows(
    new Rule("[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]"),
    new ViewFacts().Add(passed, "healthy", ThemeToken.Pass)
        .Add(warnings, "warning", ThemeToken.Warn)
        .Add(failed, "failed", ThemeToken.Fail)
        .Add(servers.Length, "servers"),
    table,
    new Panel(disk, "Disk used") { HeaderRight = "% of capacity" })
{
    Gap = 1
};

// 3. Print it once.
Terminal.Write(report);

record Server(string Name, string Role, int Disk, string Status);

Run: dotnet run

Terminal
dotnet new console -n ServerReport
cd ServerReport
dotnet add package ConsoleMonster
C# fluentProgram.cs
// 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
var servers = new Server[]
{
    new("fs01.contoso.example", "File", 62, "Pass"),
    new("fs02.contoso.example", "File", 81, "Warn"),
    new("sql01.contoso.example", "Database", 93, "Fail"),
    new("web01.contoso.example", "Web", 40, "Pass")
};
int passed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Pass");
int warnings = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Warn");
int failed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Fail");

// 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
var table = Ui.Table(servers)
    .Column(row => row.Name)
    .Column(row => row.Role)
    .Column(row => row.Disk)
    .Column(row => row.Status, column => column.Presenter(CellPresenters.StatusWord));
BarChart disk = Ui.BarChart().Unit("%").Maximum(100).Warning(80).Critical(90);
foreach (var server in servers)
    disk.Add(server.Name, server.Disk);
Rows report = Ui.Rows().Gap(1).Content(rowsContent =>
{
    rowsContent.Rule("[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]");
    rowsContent.Facts(facts => facts.Add(passed, "healthy", ThemeToken.Pass)
        .Add(warnings, "warning", ThemeToken.Warn)
        .Add(failed, "failed", ThemeToken.Fail)
        .Add(servers.Length, "servers"));
    rowsContent.Add(table);
    rowsContent.Panel(p => p.Title("Disk used").HeaderRight("% of capacity").Content(panelContent =>
    {
        panelContent.Add(disk);
    }));
});

// 3. Print it once.
report.Show();

record Server(string Name, string Role, int Disk, string Status);
Full program
using ConsoleMonster;
using ConsoleMonster.Layout;
using ConsoleMonster.Presenters;
using ConsoleMonster.Styling;
using ConsoleMonster.Widgets;

// 1. Data: invented results for four servers; nothing is queried or changed.
var servers = new Server[]
{
    new("fs01.contoso.example", "File", 62, "Pass"),
    new("fs02.contoso.example", "File", 81, "Warn"),
    new("sql01.contoso.example", "Database", 93, "Fail"),
    new("web01.contoso.example", "Web", 40, "Pass")
};
int passed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Pass");
int warnings = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Warn");
int failed = servers.Count(server => server.Status == "Fail");

// 2. Layout: a title, a facts line, the table and the disk bars, one below another.
var table = Ui.Table(servers)
    .Column(row => row.Name)
    .Column(row => row.Role)
    .Column(row => row.Disk)
    .Column(row => row.Status, column => column.Presenter(CellPresenters.StatusWord));
BarChart disk = Ui.BarChart().Unit("%").Maximum(100).Warning(80).Critical(90);
foreach (var server in servers)
    disk.Add(server.Name, server.Disk);
Rows report = Ui.Rows().Gap(1).Content(rowsContent =>
{
    rowsContent.Rule("[accent bold]Nightly server report[/] [muted]· 2026-11-09[/]");
    rowsContent.Facts(facts => facts.Add(passed, "healthy", ThemeToken.Pass)
        .Add(warnings, "warning", ThemeToken.Warn)
        .Add(failed, "failed", ThemeToken.Fail)
        .Add(servers.Length, "servers"));
    rowsContent.Add(table);
    rowsContent.Panel(p => p.Title("Disk used").HeaderRight("% of capacity").Content(panelContent =>
    {
        panelContent.Add(disk);
    }));
});

// 3. Print it once.
report.Show();

record Server(string Name, string Role, int Disk, string Status);

Run: dotnet run

Show-Console 80×1924-bitFull

The full script and the report it prints at 80 columns. Saving it as HTML, SVG or text is step 6.

To use your own data, replace the $servers list with objects from a command, for example Get-Service rows with a calculated Status, and keep the rest.

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