Feature Request: “IDE-Style Code Practice Mode” (Structured Code, Syntax Highlighting, Themes, Custom Code Input)

[UssefDev]

Monkeytype’s current programming mode uses random programming-related words rather than real structured code. This makes it less effective for developers who want to practice typing in an environment that resembles actual coding.

I’m proposing a new IDE-style code practice mode that includes:

• real structured code for specific programming languages,
• multi-color syntax highlighting,
• popular IDE themes (e.g., One Dark Pro, Dracula, Monokai),
• an option for users to add their own custom code snippets,
• adjustable text size,
• and a fully scrollable code view where the entire snippet is displayed like in a real editor, instead of the traditional Monkeytype single-line interface.

This would simulate typing inside a real IDE such as VS Code, JetBrains, or Sublime Text.

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Key Features

1. Real structured code instead of random words

• Use actual code snippets for languages such as C++, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Rust, Go, etc.
• Include proper indentation, scopes, functions, classes, and syntax.
• Helps users build practical muscle memory for real-world code patterns.

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2. Multi-Language Programming Modes

Users can choose the programming language they want to practice:

• C++
• Python
• JavaScript / TypeScript
• Rust
• Go
• and others.

Each mode uses idiomatic code samples that reflect real projects and coding styles.

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3. Syntax Highlighting + Popular IDE Themes

Provide true syntax highlighting with user-selectable themes:

• One Dark Pro
• Dracula
• Monokai
• Solarized
• GitHub Dark / Light
• Tokyo Night
• (and potentially more)

This creates an authentic, visually familiar coding environment.

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4. Custom Code Input (User-Provided Code)

Let users practice on their own code, by:

• Uploading a file (.cpp, .py, .js, etc.)
• or Pasting code directly into a built-in editor

This allows personalized practice using:

• personal projects
• school or university assignments
• competitive programming solutions
• company codebases
• specific code patterns the user wants to improve

This makes the mode extremely powerful and flexible.

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5. Adjustable Text Size + Scrollable Full Code View

Two important improvements over the traditional Monkeytype layout:

a. Adjustable Text Size

Allow users to choose the code font size (like VS Code’s zoom level).
This improves accessibility and comfort.

b. Full Scrollable Code Editor

Display the entire code snippet at once, with scrolling—
not the single-line or limited view currently used in Monkeytype.

This matches how real IDEs display code and lets users:

• see entire functions or files
• understand context
• practice typing while navigating a realistic code layout
• scroll naturally through longer code sections

This dramatically increases realism and usability for programming practice.

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6. Other Customization Options

• Choose indentation style (Tabs vs Spaces)
• Choose snippet length (short function → long file)
• Toggle syntax highlighting
• Select theme
• Adjust editor spacing/line height
• Choose between built-in code samples or custom user code

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Why This Would Be Valuable

For Developers & Learners

• Enables practice with real programming patterns and syntax
• Improves fluency typing actual code—not artificial random words
• Helps beginners learn code structure
• Improves speed and accuracy for professional developers
• Custom code support = deeply personalized training

For Monkeytype

• Adds a unique, powerful feature no other typing site has
• Expands usefulness dramatically for programmers
• Attracts students, developers, bootcamp learners, and professionals
• Makes Monkeytype a hybrid typing + coding practice tool

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Conclusion

An IDE-style programming practice mode—with structured code, syntax highlighting, adjustable text size, scrollable editor view, popular IDE themes, and support for custom user code—would make Monkeytype the most realistic and valuable typing platform available for programmers.

[fehmer]

real structured code for specific programming languages,

select your coding language, set test mode to quotes

multi-color syntax highlighting,

i don't think you need syntax highlighting for typing but could be added as an options

popular IDE themes (e.g., One Dark Pro, Dracula, Monokai),

monkeytype has plenty of themes

an option for users to add their own custom code snippets,

select text mode "custom" and upload your file

adjustable text size,

https://monkeytype.com/settings?highlight=fontSize

and a fully scrollable code view where the entire snippet is displayed like in a real editor, instead of the traditional Monkeytype single-line interface.

monkeytype shows multiple lines. I dont think you need scrollable code view because you need to type the code in order anyway, so why do you need the ability to scroll to code further down?

[UssefDev]

Thanks for the explanation! Just to clarify my suggestion:

• When I mentioned themes like One Dark Pro or Monokai, I meant syntax color themes for the code itself, not the website UI. Right now the practice text is a single uniform color. Even if syntax coloring doesn’t change typing speed, it improves readability, makes keywords and symbols easier to distinguish, helps you understand structure and indentation at a glance, feels more like a real IDE, and helps beginners recognize syntax visually. It also reduces visual fatigue during long sessions.

• I also didn’t know you could get real code by using quotes mode and selecting a language — thank you for pointing that out! That already covers part of what I was asking for.

Now the main idea is simply adding optional IDE-style syntax coloring to make the coding practice environment more realistic and comfortable. Thanks again!