module Cucumber::Runtime::UserInterface

def ask(question, timeout_seconds)


that makes a sound before invoking #ask.
If that doesn't issue a beep, you can shell out to something else

ask("#{7.chr}How many cukes are in the external system?")

just prepend ASCII character 7 to the question:
If you want a beep to happen (to grab the manual tester's attention),

the result is added to the output using #puts.
. The entered text is returned, and both +question+ and
An operator (manual tester) can then enter a line of text and hit
Suspends execution and prompts +question+ to the console (STDOUT). 
def ask(question, timeout_seconds)
  STDOUT.puts(question)
  STDOUT.flush
  puts(question)
  if(Cucumber::JRUBY)
    answer = jruby_gets(timeout_seconds)
  else
    answer = mri_gets(timeout_seconds)
  end
  if(answer)
    puts(answer)
    answer
  else
    raise("Waited for input for #{timeout_seconds} seconds, then timed out.")
  end
end

def embed(src, mime_type, label)


The embedded data may or may not be ignored, depending on what kind of formatter(s) are active.
be a path to a file, or if it's an image it may also be a Base64 encoded image.
Embed +src+ of MIME type +mime_type+ into the output. The +src+ argument may 
def embed(src, mime_type, label)
  @visitor.embed(src, mime_type, label)
end

def jruby_gets(timeout_seconds) 

def jruby_gets(timeout_seconds)
  answer = nil
  t = java.lang.Thread.new do
    answer = STDIN.gets
  end
  t.start
  t.join(timeout_seconds * 1000)
  answer
end

def mri_gets(timeout_seconds) 

def mri_gets(timeout_seconds)
  begin
    Timeout.timeout(timeout_seconds) do
      STDIN.gets
    end
  rescue Timeout::Error => e
    nil
  end
end

def puts(*messages)


nicer, and in all outputs (in case you use several formatters)
This is an alternative to using Kernel#puts - it will display
Output +messages+ alongside the formatted output. 
def puts(*messages)
  @visitor.puts(*messages)
end