Sometimes we need to use multiple terminal sessions within one window while performing several tasks. Fortunately, In the Linux system, we have a console application "screen" which allows us to use multiple terminal sessions in a window. Using "screen" applications, it is possible to run any number of interactive command shells, console-based applications, etc. It is very useful to keep running the program even if you accidentally close the terminal.
For instance, you are working in a remote Linux machine using an SSH session, but many times you get the SSH session terminated and you lose the task you are working on. In this case, the screen utility tool helps to resume the session.
Here at LinuxAPT, as part of our Server Management Services, we regularly help our Customers to perform related Linux System queries.
In this context, we shall look into the common usage of screens in Ubuntu 20.04.
Below are the most basic steps for getting started with screen:
To Install screen application, Run the following command:
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install screenTo verify the installation of the screen, run the following command.
$ screen --versionHow to Start screen session ?
By using a simple screen command, the screen session can be started. The command will create a new terminal inside the current running terminal and if you do not want to use it you can use the exit command to come out of the screen.
$ screenA new window can be started within the screen with the name as follows. In this example, I have used a screen name example-screen which can be reattached at a later stage.
$ screen -S example-screenHow to List screen processes ?
We have started a new window using the screen command. Now to display all the current opened screens run the command:
$ screen -lsHow to Detach the current screen ?
You can use ctrl+a followed by d command to detach your screen session from the current terminal. Type control+a d in the terminal session as :
$ screen -S linuxapt-exampleHow to Reattach the screen session ?
You can reattach your detached screen session using screen command with -r option. From the list of the screen session, you can simply type screen -r and screen name to reattach the session again. In this example, I have reattached an 4351.example-screen session from my screen list. You can select your session accordingly.
$ screen -r 4351.example-screenYou can also attach the screen session using ID of the screen session or using name only as:
$ screen -r 4351
$ screen -r example-screenHow to List screen parameters ?
You can list all the screen parameters using ctrl+a followed by character ? .
How to Split the screen vertically ?
The terminal window can be split either vertically or horizontally as per your convenience. To split the window vertically, press the ctrl + a followed by character | as in the screenshot. The same process can be repeated for n number of vertical screens.
To navigate to another screen type ctrl+a followed by Tab.
How to Split the screen horizontally ?
To split the screen horizontally press ctrl + a followed by S (upper case). You can repeat the same process to get n number of horizontal screens.
How to Unsplit the screen ?
Splitted screen either vertically or horizontally can be unsplited by pressing ctrl+a followed by Q (uppercase q).
How to Create a new terminal in split session ?
Just after splitting the screen horizontally or vertically, it does not create any terminal automatically. Move to the new terminal session using key ctrl+a followed by Tab and press ctrl+a followed by c (lowercase c) to create a new terminal session.
How to Terminal screen session ?
To terminate the current screen session, press ctrl+a followed by k (lowercase k) .
How to Check all the options available with screen command ?
To check all the options available with screen command, run the following command in your terminal:
$ screen --helpHow to Check the owner of the screen ?
To check the owner of the opened screen session, you can list the content of the directory /var/run/screen using ls -lthr /var/run/screen command as:
$ ls -lthr /var/run/screen/How to Check the man page of Screen command ?
To check the man page of screen command, run man screen command as:
$ man screenThis article covers how to use screen commands in ubuntu 20.04. Screen or GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer. In other words, it means that you can start a screen session and then open any number of windows (virtual terminals) inside that session. Processes running in Screen will continue to run when their window is not visible even if you get disconnected.
How to Install Linux GNU Screen on Ubuntu ?
1. Check if it is installed on your system by typing:
$ screen --version2. If you don't have screen installed on your system, you can easily install it using the package manager of your distro.
Install Linux Screen on Ubuntu and Debian:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install screen3. To Install Linux Screen on CentOS and Fedora:
$ sudo yum install screen4. To start a screen session, simply type screen in your console:
$ screenMost common commands for managing Linux Screen Windows:
