oplaTech Oplatek Teaching Archive
Oplatek's external memory

Screen - finally I can use not only my computer but also the screen :)

I am somehow using sreen for a long time.
Except traditional usage like window multiplexer for one terminal or process deatacher,
I used it for making Vim a CLI IDE for Python, SQL, or what so ever language using CLI.
See Slime plugin

This post will only concetrate on only on Screen basic functionality and commands


  • At the begining launch screen from terminal

    $ screen


  • Screen hot keys start with

    C-a // Ctrl and a at the same time



  • Create new window

    C-a c



  • Go to previous and next window

    C-a p
    C-a n



  • Change to a window marked by Number 0-9 (First window has number 0)

    C-a Number



  • List all created windows

    C-a "



  • Name your window

    C-a A



  • Kill the misbehaving program

    C-a K



  • Deatach process by this shortcut or by closing the terminal

    C-a d



  • Reatach in new emulator/session

    $ screen -r



  • Help

    C-a ?



  • Copying and pasting - screen has its own scroll buffer.

    C-a [ // copying
    C-a ] // pasting



  • Monitoring if other window is still doing activity (e.g. compiling). Triggered when there is silence

    C-a _



  • Monitoring if other window is still without activity (e.g. IRC session). Triggered when you receives message

    C-a M


  • Screen is closed when all programs are closed