> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Frequently Asked Questions

> Common questions about Monkeytype

## General Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is Monkeytype?">
    Monkeytype is a minimalistic and customizable typing test platform. It helps you measure and improve your typing speed and accuracy through various test modes and configurations.

    Key features include:

    * Multiple test modes (time-based, word count, quotes)
    * Real-time WPM, accuracy, and error tracking
    * Customizable themes and settings
    * Account system to save your history
    * Natural typing experience with live feedback
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How does the typing test work?">
    Monkeytype presents you with text prompts that you type as accurately and quickly as possible. As you type:

    * Characters appear in place as you type them
    * Errors are highlighted in real-time
    * Your WPM (words per minute) and accuracy are calculated live
    * Results are displayed when you complete the test

    The test emulates a natural typing experience by showing what you type without interrupting your flow. This approach provides straightforward, real-time feedback on your performance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is Monkeytype free to use?">
    Yes, Monkeytype is completely free to use. The project is open source and available on [GitHub](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype).

    If you want to support the project, you can:

    * [Donate on Ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/monkeytype)
    * [Become a Patron](https://www.patreon.com/monkeytype)
    * [Buy merchandise](https://www.monkeytype.store/)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need an account to use Monkeytype?">
    No, you can use Monkeytype without an account. However, creating an account allows you to:

    * Save your typing speed history
    * Track your progress over time
    * Sync settings across devices
    * Participate in leaderboards
    * Complete and track challenges
    * Access advanced features and customization
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Test Modes and Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What test modes are available?">
    Monkeytype offers various test modes to suit different preferences:

    **By Duration:**

    * Time-based tests (15s, 30s, 60s, 120s)
    * Custom time lengths

    **By Content:**

    * Word tests (10, 25, 50, 100 words, etc.)
    * Quote tests (short, medium, long quotes)
    * Custom text

    **Special Modes:**

    * Punctuation mode
    * Numbers mode
    * Multiple languages
    * Various difficulty levels

    You can also use Funbox modifiers for fun challenges and variations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are Funbox modifiers?">
    Funbox modifiers are just-for-fun test variations that change how the typing test works. Examples include:

    * Different visual effects
    * Modified typing rules
    * Challenge modes
    * Special constraints

    These modifiers add variety and fun to your typing practice, though results from Funbox tests may not count toward your regular statistics.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What languages are supported?">
    Monkeytype supports a wide variety of languages for typing tests. The exact list includes dozens of languages from around the world.

    To contribute a new language or improve existing ones, check the [Language Guidelines](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/LANGUAGES.md) in the repository.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I practice with punctuation and numbers?">
    Yes. Monkeytype includes:

    * **Punctuation mode**: Adds punctuation marks to test your real-world typing scenarios
    * **Numbers mode**: Includes numbers in the test text

    These modes can be toggled on/off independently to customize your practice.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Account and Data

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I create an account?">
    Creating an account on Monkeytype:

    1. Click the account icon in the top navigation
    2. Choose your authentication method (Google, GitHub, etc.)
    3. Complete the authentication process
    4. Your account is ready to use

    Monkeytype uses Firebase for authentication, ensuring secure and reliable account management.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What data does Monkeytype store?">
    When you create an account, Monkeytype stores:

    * Your typing test results and history
    * Personal bests and statistics
    * Custom settings and preferences
    * Theme choices and configurations
    * Challenge progress and completions

    All data is stored securely using MongoDB for user data and Redis for ephemeral data (like daily leaderboards).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is my data private and secure?">
    Yes. Monkeytype takes privacy and security seriously:

    * Authentication is handled by Firebase
    * Data is stored securely in encrypted databases
    * The project follows security best practices
    * For security concerns, see [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/SECURITY.md)

    Your typing data is personal to your account and not shared without your permission.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I delete my account and data?">
    Yes, you can delete your account and associated data. For account deletion requests or data privacy concerns, contact support at [contact@monkeytype.com](mailto:contact@monkeytype.com).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I export my typing data?">
    Account data export features depend on current functionality. For questions about exporting your data, check the settings page or contact support at [contact@monkeytype.com](mailto:contact@monkeytype.com).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Customization

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I customize the appearance?">
    Absolutely! Monkeytype is highly customizable:

    * **Themes**: Choose from hundreds of community-created themes
    * **Fonts**: Select different font styles
    * **Caret style**: Customize the cursor appearance
    * **Smooth caret**: Enable smooth caret movement
    * **Layout**: Adjust the test layout and spacing
    * **Colors**: Use colorful mode or flip test colors

    All customization options are available in the settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I create or contribute a theme?">
    To contribute a theme:

    1. Ensure your theme is unique and follows the [Theme Guidelines](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/THEMES.md)
    2. Text color should be black or white (or very close)
    3. Theme must be readable with all display options
    4. Add your theme to the `_list` file
    5. Submit a pull request

    Check [THEMES.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/THEMES.md) for detailed instructions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What keyboard layouts are supported?">
    Monkeytype supports multiple keyboard layouts beyond standard QWERTY, including:

    * QWERTY variants
    * DVORAK
    * COLEMAK
    * And many more

    To contribute a new layout, see [LAYOUTS.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/LAYOUTS.md).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I change sounds and effects?">
    Yes, Monkeytype includes customizable sounds and visual effects:

    * Typing sounds
    * Click sounds
    * Visual effects
    * Smooth animations
    * Focus mode (minimizes distractions)

    All these can be configured in the settings to match your preferences.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Contributing

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How can I contribute to Monkeytype?">
    There are many ways to contribute:

    **Code Contributions:**

    * Fix bugs
    * Add features
    * Improve performance
    * Write tests

    **Content Contributions:**

    * Add themes
    * Contribute quotes
    * Add language support
    * Create keyboard layouts

    **Community:**

    * Help others on Discord
    * Report bugs
    * Suggest features
    * Write documentation

    Start with the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want to add quotes or languages. How do I start?">
    For basic contributions (quotes, languages), you don't need a development environment:

    1. Read [CONTRIBUTING\_BASIC.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/CONTRIBUTING_BASIC.md)
    2. Fork the repository on GitHub
    3. Make your changes using GitHub's web interface
    4. Submit a pull request

    For quotes: Follow [Quote Guidelines](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/QUOTES.md)
    For languages: Follow [Language Guidelines](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/LANGUAGES.md)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want to contribute code. What do I need?">
    For code contributions:

    1. Read [CONTRIBUTING\_ADVANCED.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/CONTRIBUTING_ADVANCED.md)
    2. Set up a local development environment
    3. Familiarize yourself with the tech stack (TypeScript, Node.js, MongoDB, Firebase)
    4. Join the `#development` channel on [Discord](https://discord.gg/monkeytype)
    5. Discuss your planned contribution
    6. Follow the coding standards and guidelines

    The tech stack includes: TypeScript, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, Firebase, Redis, Solid.js, and more.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are the contribution guidelines?">
    Key guidelines:

    * Follow the [Code of Conduct](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md)
    * Use [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/) for PR titles
    * Test your changes thoroughly
    * Follow existing code style (uses Oxfmt and Oxlint)
    * Provide clear descriptions in pull requests
    * Be responsive to feedback and reviews

    Read the full guidelines in [CONTRIBUTING.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Technical Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What technologies does Monkeytype use?">
    Monkeytype is built with:

    **Frontend:**

    * TypeScript
    * Solid.js
    * Vite
    * Tailwind CSS
    * SASS

    **Backend:**

    * Node.js
    * Express
    * TypeScript

    **Databases & Services:**

    * MongoDB (user data)
    * Firebase (authentication)
    * Redis (ephemeral data, leaderboards)

    **Tools:**

    * Turborepo (monorepo management)
    * Oxc (Oxfmt and Oxlint for formatting/linting)
    * Vitest (testing)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I self-host Monkeytype?">
    Yes, Monkeytype can be self-hosted. Detailed instructions are available in [SELF\_HOSTING.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/SELF_HOSTING.md).

    Self-hosting requires:

    * Firebase account (for authentication)
    * MongoDB (for data storage)
    * Redis (for ephemeral data)
    * Node.js environment

    Note that self-hosting is for advanced users and requires technical knowledge.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is Monkeytype open source?">
    Yes, Monkeytype is fully open source and available on GitHub:

    * **Main repository**: [https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype)
    * **Discord bot**: [https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype-bot](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype-bot)

    The project welcomes contributions from the community and follows open source best practices.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I found a bug. How do I report it?">
    To report a bug:

    1. Check if it's already reported in [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/issues)
    2. Create a new issue with:
       * Clear description of the bug
       * Steps to reproduce
       * Expected vs. actual behavior
       * Browser and OS information
       * Screenshots if applicable
    3. Or email [contact@monkeytype.com](mailto:contact@monkeytype.com)
    4. For security issues, see [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/blob/master/docs/SECURITY.md)

    See all support options at [Support](/community/support).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Need More Help?

If your question isn't answered here, check out these resources:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Support Channels" icon="life-ring" href="/community/support">
    Find the right support channel for your needs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord Community" icon="discord" href="/community/discord">
    Join the Discord for real-time help and discussion.
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Issues" icon="github" href="https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/issues">
    Search existing issues or create a new one.
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub Discussions" icon="comments" href="https://github.com/monkeytypegame/monkeytype/discussions">
    Join community discussions and ask questions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>