GNU Screen

GNU Screen: Terminal Multiplexer for Multiple Sessions

GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer that allows a user to access multiple separate terminal sessions inside a single terminal window or remote SSH session, enabling switching between multiple programs in one terminal, detach them and reattach them to a different terminal, and more.

What is GNU Screen?

GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer application that was first released in 1987. It allows a user to multiplex several virtual consoles, accessed via a single TTY device. This enables a user to access multiple separate terminal sessions inside a single terminal window or remote SSH session.

Some key features of GNU Screen include:

• Running multiple shells simultaneously, switching between them using keyboard shortcuts
• Detaching sessions and later reattaching them, even from a different terminal
• Session sharing between users for collaboration
• Session logging and replay
• Copy and paste support between sessions
• Configurable status line showing info about open sessions
• Virtual terminal support for wide characters, utf8, X11 forwarding, and more

By multiplexing terminals, GNU Screen allows a user to run programs, view logs, use the shell, and more, keeping everything active even when disconnecting and reconnecting. This enables workflow improvements for activities like SSH sessions, monitoring jobs, network connections, and more.

GNU Screen has been called one of the most useful utilities in a Unix-like system. It's commonly included by default in Linux distributions. The configuration relies on a screenrc file. There are also tools like Byobu which enhance Screen with more features for convenience and productivity.

GNU Screen Features

Official Links