Display Files

Display files, screen types, and the MECCA compiler

Display files are the pre-built screens that Maximus shows to callers — login banners, menu screens, help pages, and area listings. They are compiled from .mec (MECCA) source into .bbs binary files that the BBS loads at runtime.

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How Display Files Work

When the BBS needs to show a screen (e.g., the main menu, a help page, or a file area listing), it looks for a matching .bbs file in the display directory. These files can contain:

• ANSI art — color graphics and box-drawing characters
• Display codes — pipe codes for dynamic content (user name, time left, area names)
• MECCA control sequences — conditional display, hotkeys, and screen positioning

Display Directory

Display files live under the display/ directory in your BBS installation:

display/
├── help/       # Help screens
├── screens/    # Menu screens, login, logoff, newuser
└── misc/       # Bulletins, notices, other display files

The display path is configured in config/maximus.toml under [paths].display_path.

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Editing Display Files

1. Edit the .mec source in a text editor (with ANSI art support if needed).

2. Compile with MECCA to produce the .bbs binary:

   bin/mecca display/screens/main_menu.mec
   

3. Reconnect or navigate to the screen again — Maximus loads .bbs files fresh each time they’re displayed, so there’s no need to restart.

See MECCA Language for the full token reference. For compiler flags and usage, see MECCA Compiler. For ANSI art workflows, see ANSI Art & RIP Graphics.

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See Also

• MECCA Language — complete MECCA token reference for display files
• MECCA Compiler — compiling .mec source to .bbs
• Display Codes — pipe codes, info codes, and formatting operators used in display files
• Screen Types — TTY, ANSI, and AVATAR terminal modes
• ANSI Art & RIP Graphics — art creation workflows and RIP graphics status
• Directory Structure — where display files live in the installation tree