screen Linux command
The Linux screen command is a powerful tool that allows users to create, manage, and multiplex multiple terminal sessions within a single window. With screen, you can detach from a session, letting it run in the background, and reattach to it later. This feature is particularly useful when working on tasks that require extended periods of time or when you need to switch between different tasks quickly. Additionally, screen supports splitting windows, session sharing, and session logging, making it a valuable tool for system administrators and power users alike. Whether you are a novice or an experienced user, mastering the Linux screen command can greatly enhance your productivity and efficiency in the terminal.
screen Syntax:
Section titled “screen Syntax:”screen [options] [commands]Options:
Section titled “Options:”| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | Adapt the sizes of all windows to the size of the current terminal |
| -A | Adapt the sizes of all windows to the size of the current terminal or screen screen size |
| -d | Detach the elsewhere running screen (and reattach here) |
| -D | Detach and logout |
| -m | Ignore the $STY variable and create a new screen session |
| -r | Reattach to a detached screen process |
| -R | Reattach if possible, otherwise start a new session |
| -s | When creating a new session, specify a session name |
| -S | Specify a session name |
| -x | Attach to a not detached screen. Multi display only |
Parameters:
Section titled “Parameters:”| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| commands | Specify one or more commands to run in the screen session |
screen bash Examples:
Section titled “screen bash Examples:”Create a New Screen Session
Section titled “Create a New Screen Session”screen -S mysessionCreates a new screen session named “mysession”.
List all Screen Sessions
Section titled “List all Screen Sessions”screen -lsLists all the active screen sessions.
Resume a Detached Session
Section titled “Resume a Detached Session”screen -r mysessionResumes the detached screen session named “mysession”.
Detach from a Screen Session
Section titled “Detach from a Screen Session”Ctrl + a, dDetaches from the currently active screen session.
Scroll in a Screen Session
Section titled “Scroll in a Screen Session”Ctrl + a, [Enables scroll mode to view the screen session history.
Send a Command to a Screen Session
Section titled “Send a Command to a Screen Session”screen -S mysession -X stuff 'ls\n'Sends the command “ls” to the screen session named “mysession”.
screen Command Help Center:
Section titled “screen Command Help Center:”How do I start a new screen session in Linux?
Section titled “How do I start a new screen session in Linux?”To start a new screen session in Linux, execute the following command:
screenHow do I list all screen sessions in Linux?
Section titled “How do I list all screen sessions in Linux?”To list all screen sessions in Linux, execute the following command:
screen -lsHow do I attach to a detached screen session in Linux?
Section titled “How do I attach to a detached screen session in Linux?”To attach to a detached screen session in Linux, execute the following command:
screen -rHow do I detach from a screen session in Linux?
Section titled “How do I detach from a screen session in Linux?”To detach from a screen session in Linux, press Ctrl + A followed by d.
How do I create a named screen session in Linux?
Section titled “How do I create a named screen session in Linux?”To create a named screen session in Linux, execute the following command:
screen -S session_nameHow do I switch between windows in screen in Linux?
Section titled “How do I switch between windows in screen in Linux?”To switch between windows in screen in Linux, press Ctrl + A followed by the window number.
How do I split the screen in screen command in Linux?
Section titled “How do I split the screen in screen command in Linux?”To split the screen horizontally in the screen command, press Ctrl + A followed by S. To split vertically, press Ctrl + A followed by |.
How do I close a window in screen in Linux?
Section titled “How do I close a window in screen in Linux?”To close a window in screen in Linux, simply exit the application running in that window.
Applications of the screen command
Section titled “Applications of the screen command”- Run multiple terminal sessions within a single SSH session
- Keep processes running even after logging out of a remote session
- Share a session with collaborators for pair programming
- Manage multiple serial console connections
- Use as a terminal multiplexer for organizing and controlling multiple terminal windows