Custom word lists are Tux Typing’s superpower: any vocabulary — this week’s spelling words, a child’s name and family words, Python keywords — can become the game. There are two ways to add them, and one format rule to respect.
Method 1: The In-Game Editor (Recommended)
- Start Tux Typing and open Options.
- Choose Edit Word Lists.
- Create a new list and give it a clear name (for example “Year 3 – Week 12 spelling”).
- Add words one per line. Keep them clean: no trailing spaces, and match the case you want practiced.
- Save, then select your list when starting Fish Cascade or Comet Zap.
The editor is the safe route: it stores the list exactly where the game looks for it, on Windows, Linux, and the Chromebook Linux container alike.
Method 2: Import a TXT File
Word lists are plain text — one word per line. Type or generate your list in any text editor, save it as a .txt file, and import it through the same Edit Word Lists screen. Our free packs on the word lists page are distributed this way: download, import, play.
Format Rules That Prevent Headaches
- One entry per line. For Comet Zap phrases, a short phrase per line works; single words behave best in Fish Cascade.
- Plain characters only. Avoid smart quotes, emoji, and spreadsheet exports with commas — a CSV is not a word list until it is one-word-per-line.
- Length matches the learner. 3–5 letter words for beginners; longer and themed sets for confident typists.
- Name lists by week or theme so children can find “their” list without help.
Ideas Worth Stealing
- The 100 most common English words (sight words) for early readers.
- This week’s spelling list, refreshed every Monday.
- Family and pet names — nothing motivates a 6-year-old like catching a fish labeled with grandma’s name.
- Subject vocabulary before a test: planets, times tables terms, capital cities.
- For older students: command names and keywords from the language they are learning to code in.
If a list does not appear in the game, or words show up garbled, the causes are almost always file format or the list not being selected — our troubleshooting section covers the common cases. For the pedagogy of sequencing lists with lessons, see How to Teach Kids Typing.