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Revision 1.12 by root, Thu Feb 17 12:06:21 2005 UTC vs.
Revision 1.38 by root, Tue Jan 31 01:42:21 2006 UTC

1FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 1FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2 The new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?
3 If you want to select e.g. alphanumeric words, you can use the following
4 setting:
5
6 URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([[:word:]]+)
7
8 If you click more than twice, the selection will be extended more and
9 more.
10
11 To get a selection that is very similar to the old code, try this
12 pattern:
13
14 URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([^"&'()*,;<=>?@[\\\\]^`{|})]+)
15
16 Please also note that the *LeftClick Shift-LeftClik* combination also
17 selects words like the old code.
18
19 I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?
20 You can disable the perl extension completely by setting the
21 perl-ext-common resource to the empty string, which also keeps
22 rxvt-unicode from initialising perl, saving memory.
23
24 If you only want to disable specific features, you first have to
25 identify which perl extension is responsible. For this, read the section
26 PREPACKAGED EXTENSIONS in the rxvtperl(3) manpage. For example, to
27 disable the selection-popup and option-popup, specify this
28 perl-ext-common resource:
29
30 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-selection-popup,-option-popup
31
32 This will keep the default extensions, but disable the two popup
33 extensions. Some extensions can also be configured, for example,
34 scrollback search mode is triggered by M-s. You can move it to any other
35 combination either by setting the searchable-scrollback resource:
36
37 URxvt.searchable-scrollback: CM-s
38
39 The cursor moves when selecting text in the current input line, how do I switch this off?
40 See next entry.
41
42 During rlogin/ssh/telnet/etc. sessions, clicking near the cursor outputs strange escape sequences, how do I fix this?
43 These are caused by the "readline" perl extension. Under normal
44 circumstances, it will move your cursor around when you click into the
45 line that contains it. It tries hard not to do this at the wrong moment,
46 but when running a program that doesn't parse cursor movements or in
47 some cases during rlogin sessions, it fails to detect this properly.
48
49 You can permamently switch this feature off by disabling the "readline"
50 extension:
51
52 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-readline
53
54 Why doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?
55 Well, why, indeed? It does, in a way very similar to other X
56 applications. Most importantly, this means that if you or your OS loads
57 resources into the X display (the right way to do it), rxvt-unicode will
58 ignore any resource files in your home directory. It will only read
59 $HOME/.Xdefaults when no resources are attached to the display.
60
61 If you have or use an $HOME/.Xresources file, chances are that resources
62 are loaded into your X-server. In this case, you have to re-login after
63 every change (or run xrdb -merge $HOME/.Xresources).
64
65 Also consider the form resources have to use:
66
67 URxvt.resource: value
68
69 If you want to use another form (there are lots of different ways of
70 specifying resources), make sure you understand wether and why it works.
71 If unsure, use the form above.
72
73 I can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?
74 First of all, transparency isn't officially supported in rxvt-unicode,
75 so you are mostly on your own. Do not bug the author about it (but you
76 may bug everybody else). Also, if you can't get it working consider it a
77 rite of passage: ... and you failed.
78
79 Here are four ways to get transparency. Do read the manpage and option
80 descriptions for the programs mentioned and rxvt-unicode. Really, do it!
81
82 1. Use inheritPixmap:
83
84 Esetroot wallpaper.jpg
85 rxvt -ip -tint red -sh 40
86
87 That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack transparency and tinting
88 support, or you are unable to read.
89
90 2. Use a simple pixmap and emulate pseudo-transparency. This enables you
91 to use effects other than tinting and shading: Just shade/tint/whatever
92 your picture with gimp:
93
94 convert wallpaper.jpg -blur 20x20 -modulate 30 background.xpm
95 rxvt -pixmap background.xpm -pe automove-background
96
97 That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack XPM and Perl support, or
98 you are unable to read.
99
100 3. Use an ARGB visual:
101
102 rxvt -depth 32 -fg grey90 -bg rgba:0000/0000/4444/cccc
103
104 This requires XFT support, and the support of your X-server. If that
105 doesn't work for you, blame Xorg and Keith Packard. ARGB visuals aren't
106 there yet, no matter what they claim. Rxvt-Unicode contains the
107 neccessary bugfixes and workarounds for Xft and Xlib to make it work,
108 but that doesn't mean that your WM has the required kludges in place.
109
110 4. Use xcompmgr and let it do the job:
111
112 xprop -frame -f _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 32c \
113 -set _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 0xc0000000
114
115 Then click on a window you want to make transparent. Replace 0xc0000000
116 by other values to change the degree of opacity. If it doesn't work and
117 your server crashes, you got to keep the pieces.
118
119 Isn't rxvt supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?
120 I often get asked about this, and I think, no, they didn't cause extra
121 bloat. If you compare a minimal rxvt and a minimal urxvt, you can see
122 that the urxvt binary is larger (due to some encoding tables always
123 being compiled in), but it actually uses less memory (RSS) after
124 startup. Even with "--disable-everything", this comparison is a bit
125 unfair, as many features unique to urxvt (locale, encoding conversion,
126 iso14755 etc.) are already in use in this mode.
127
128 text data bss drs rss filename
129 98398 1664 24 15695 1824 rxvt --disable-everything
130 188985 9048 66616 18222 1788 urxvt --disable-everything
131
132 When you "--enable-everything" (which _is_ unfair, as this involves xft
133 and full locale/XIM support which are quite bloaty inside libX11 and my
134 libc), the two diverge, but not unreasnobaly so.
135
136 text data bss drs rss filename
137 163431 2152 24 20123 2060 rxvt --enable-everything
138 1035683 49680 66648 29096 3680 urxvt --enable-everything
139
140 The very large size of the text section is explained by the east-asian
141 encoding tables, which, if unused, take up disk space but nothing else
142 and can be compiled out unless you rely on X11 core fonts that use those
143 encodings. The BSS size comes from the 64k emergency buffer that my c++
144 compiler allocates (but of course doesn't use unless you are out of
145 memory). Also, using an xft font instead of a core font immediately adds
146 a few megabytes of RSS. Xft indeed is responsible for a lot of RSS even
147 when not used.
148
149 Of course, due to every character using two or four bytes instead of
150 one, a large scrollback buffer will ultimately make rxvt-unicode use
151 more memory.
152
153 Compared to e.g. Eterm (5112k), aterm (3132k) and xterm (4680k), this
154 still fares rather well. And compared to some monsters like
155 gnome-terminal (21152k + extra 4204k in separate processes) or konsole
156 (22200k + extra 43180k in daemons that stay around after exit, plus half
157 a minute of startup time, including the hundreds of warnings it spits
158 out), it fares extremely well *g*.
159
160 Why C++, isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?
161 Is this a question? :) It comes up very often. The simple answer is: I
162 had to write it, and C++ allowed me to write and maintain it in a
163 fraction of the time and effort (which is a scarce resource for me). Put
164 even shorter: It simply wouldn't exist without C++.
165
166 My personal stance on this is that C++ is less portable than C, but in
167 the case of rxvt-unicode this hardly matters, as its portability limits
168 are defined by things like X11, pseudo terminals, locale support and
169 unix domain sockets, which are all less portable than C++ itself.
170
171 Regarding the bloat, see the above question: It's easy to write programs
172 in C that use gobs of memory, an certainly possible to write programs in
173 C++ that don't. C++ also often comes with large libraries, but this is
174 not necessarily the case with GCC. Here is what rxvt links against on my
175 system with a minimal config:
176
177 libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000)
178 libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaadde000)
179 libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab01d000)
180 /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000)
181
182 And here is rxvt-unicode:
183
184 libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000)
185 libgcc_s.so.1 => /lib/libgcc_s.so.1 (0x00002aaaaada2000)
186 libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaaeb0000)
187 libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab0ee000)
188 /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000)
189
190 No large bloated libraries (of course, none were linked in statically),
191 except maybe libX11 :)
192
193 Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt-unicode?
194 Beginning with version 7.3, there is a perl extension that implements a
195 simple tabbed terminal. It is installed by default, so any of these
196 should give you tabs:
197
198 rxvt -pe tabbed
199
200 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,tabbed
201
202 It will also work fine with tabbing functionality of many window
203 managers or similar tabbing programs, and its embedding-features allow
204 it to be embedded into other programs, as witnessed by doc/rxvt-tabbed
205 or the upcoming "Gtk2::URxvt" perl module, which features a tabbed urxvt
206 (murxvt) terminal as an example embedding application.
207
2 How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using? 208 How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?
3 The version number is displayed with the usage (-h). Also the escape 209 The version number is displayed with the usage (-h). Also the escape
4 sequence "ESC [ 8 n" sets the window title to the version number. 210 sequence "ESC [ 8 n" sets the window title to the version number. When
211 using the rxvtc client, the version displayed is that of the daemon.
5 212
6 I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem... 213 I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem...
7 The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode contains large patches 214 The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode in sarge contains large
8 that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode. Before 215 patches that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode (but
9 reporting a bug to the original rxvt-unicode author please download 216 unfortunately this notice has been removed). Before reporting a bug to
10 and install the genuine version 217 the original rxvt-unicode author please download and install the genuine
11 (<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt-unicode>) and try to reproduce the 218 version (<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt-unicode>) and try to reproduce
12 problem. If you cannot, chances are that the problems are specific 219 the problem. If you cannot, chances are that the problems are specific
13 to Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be reported via the 220 to Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be reported via the Debian
14 Debian Bug Tracking System (use "reportbug" to report the bug). 221 Bug Tracking System (use "reportbug" to report the bug).
15 222
16 For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and 223 For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and
17 probably should use the Debian BTS, too, because, after all, it's 224 probably should use the Debian BTS, too, because, after all, it's also a
18 also a bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for 225 bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for other users
19 other users that might encounter the same issue. 226 that might encounter the same issue.
20 227
228 I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS XXX, any recommendation?
229 You should build one binary with the default options. configure now
230 enables most useful options, and the trend goes to making them
231 runtime-switchable, too, so there is usually no drawback to enbaling
232 them, except higher disk and possibly memory usage. The perl interpreter
233 should be enabled, as important functionality (menus, selection, likely
234 more in the future) depends on it.
235
236 You should not overwrite the "perl-ext-common" snd "perl-ext" resources
237 system-wide (except maybe with "defaults"). This will result in useful
238 behaviour. If your distribution aims at low memory, add an empty
239 "perl-ext-common" resource to the app-defaults file. This will keep the
240 perl interpreter disabled until the user enables it.
241
242 If you can/want build more binaries, I recommend building a minimal one
243 with "--disable-everything" (very useful) and a maximal one with
244 "--enable-everything" (less useful, it will be very big due to a lot of
245 encodings built-in that increase download times and are rarely used).
246
247 I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my OS, is this safe?
248 It should be, starting with release 7.1. You are encouraged to properly
249 install urxvt with privileges necessary for your OS now.
250
251 When rxvt-unicode detects that it runs setuid or setgid, it will fork
252 into a helper process for privileged operations (pty handling on some
253 systems, utmp/wtmp/lastlog handling on others) and drop privileges
254 immediately. This is much safer than most other terminals that keep
255 privileges while running (but is more relevant to urxvt, as it contains
256 things as perl interpreters, which might be "helpful" to attackers).
257
258 This forking is done as the very first within main(), which is very
259 early and reduces possible bugs to initialisation code run before
260 main(), or things like the dynamic loader of your system, which should
261 result in very little risk.
262
21 When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data? 263 When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?
22 The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely 264 The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available
23 available as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same 265 as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often
24 problem often arises). 266 arises).
25 267
26 The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, 268 The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this
27 this can be done like this (with ncurses' infocmp): 269 can be done like this (with ncurses' infocmp):
28 270
29 REMOTE=remotesystem.domain 271 REMOTE=remotesystem.domain
30 infocmp rxvt-unicode | ssh $REMOTE "cat >/tmp/ti && tic /tmp/ti" 272 infocmp rxvt-unicode | ssh $REMOTE "cat >/tmp/ti && tic /tmp/ti"
31 273
32 ... or by installing rxvt-unicode normally on the remote system, 274 ... or by installing rxvt-unicode normally on the remote system,
33 275
34 If you cannot or do not want to do this, then you can simply set 276 If you cannot or do not want to do this, then you can simply set
35 "TERM=rxvt" or even "TERM=xterm", and live with the small number of 277 "TERM=rxvt" or even "TERM=xterm", and live with the small number of
36 problems arising, which includes wrong keymapping, less and 278 problems arising, which includes wrong keymapping, less and different
37 different colours and some refresh errors in fullscreen 279 colours and some refresh errors in fullscreen applications. It's a nice
38 applications. It's a nice quick-and-dirty workaround for rare cases, 280 quick-and-dirty workaround for rare cases, though.
39 though.
40 281
41 If you always want to do this (and are fine with the consequences) 282 If you always want to do this (and are fine with the consequences) you
42 you can either recompile rxvt-unicode with the desired TERM value or 283 can either recompile rxvt-unicode with the desired TERM value or use a
43 use a resource to set it: 284 resource to set it:
44 285
45 URxvt.termName: rxvt 286 URxvt.termName: rxvt
46 287
47 If you don't plan to use rxvt (quite common...) you could also 288 If you don't plan to use rxvt (quite common...) you could also replace
48 replace the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one. 289 the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one.
49 290
291 "tic" outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry.
292 Most likely it's the empty definition for "enacs=". Just replace it by
293 "enacs=\E[0@" and try again.
294
50 "bash"'s readline does not work correctly under rxvt. 295 "bash"'s readline does not work correctly under rxvt.
296 See next entry.
297
51 I need a termcap file entry. 298 I need a termcap file entry.
52 One reason you might want this is that some distributions or 299 One reason you might want this is that some distributions or operating
53 operating systems still compile some programs using the 300 systems still compile some programs using the long-obsoleted termcap
54 long-obsoleted termcap library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) 301 library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) and rely on a termcap entry
55 and rely on a termcap entry for "rxvt-unicode". 302 for "rxvt-unicode".
56 303
57 You could use rxvt's termcap entry with resonable results in many 304 You could use rxvt's termcap entry with resonable results in many cases.
58 cases. You can also create a termcap entry by using terminfo's 305 You can also create a termcap entry by using terminfo's infocmp program
59 infocmp program like this: 306 like this:
60 307
61 infocmp -C rxvt-unicode 308 infocmp -C rxvt-unicode
62 309
63 Or you could use this termcap entry, generated by the command above: 310 Or you could use this termcap entry, generated by the command above:
64 311
65 rxvt-unicode|rxvt-unicode terminal (X Window System):\ 312 rxvt-unicode|rxvt-unicode terminal (X Window System):\
66 :am:bw:eo:km:mi:ms:xn:xo:\ 313 :am:bw:eo:km:mi:ms:xn:xo:\
67 :co#80:it#8:li#24:lm#0:\ 314 :co#80:it#8:li#24:lm#0:\
68 :AL=\E[%dL:DC=\E[%dP:DL=\E[%dM:DO=\E[%dB:IC=\E[%d@:\ 315 :AL=\E[%dL:DC=\E[%dP:DL=\E[%dM:DO=\E[%dB:IC=\E[%d@:\
69 :K1=\EOw:K2=\EOu:K3=\EOy:K4=\EOq:K5=\EOs:LE=\E[%dD:\ 316 :K1=\EOw:K2=\EOu:K3=\EOy:K4=\EOq:K5=\EOs:LE=\E[%dD:\
70 :RI=\E[%dC:SF=\E[%dS:SR=\E[%dT:UP=\E[%dA:ae=\E(B:al=\E[L:\ 317 :RI=\E[%dC:SF=\E[%dS:SR=\E[%dT:UP=\E[%dA:ae=\E(B:al=\E[L:\
71 :as=\E(0:bl=^G:cd=\E[J:ce=\E[K:cl=\E[H\E[2J:\ 318 :as=\E(0:bl=^G:cd=\E[J:ce=\E[K:cl=\E[H\E[2J:\
72 :cm=\E[%i%d;%dH:cr=^M:cs=\E[%i%d;%dr:ct=\E[3g:dc=\E[P:\ 319 :cm=\E[%i%d;%dH:cr=^M:cs=\E[%i%d;%dr:ct=\E[3g:dc=\E[P:\
73 :dl=\E[M:do=^J:ec=\E[%dX:ei=\E[4l:ho=\E[H:\ 320 :dl=\E[M:do=^J:ec=\E[%dX:ei=\E[4l:ho=\E[H:\
74 :i1=\E[?47l\E=\E[?1l:ic=\E[@:im=\E[4h:\ 321 :i1=\E[?47l\E=\E[?1l:ic=\E[@:im=\E[4h:\
75 :is=\E[r\E[m\E[2J\E[H\E[?7h\E[?1;3;4;6l\E[4l:\ 322 :is=\E[r\E[m\E[2J\E[H\E[?7h\E[?1;3;4;6l\E[4l:\
76 :k1=\E[11~:k2=\E[12~:k3=\E[13~:k4=\E[14~:k5=\E[15~:\ 323 :k1=\E[11~:k2=\E[12~:k3=\E[13~:k4=\E[14~:k5=\E[15~:\
77 :k6=\E[17~:k7=\E[18~:k8=\E[19~:k9=\E[20~:kD=\E[3~:\ 324 :k6=\E[17~:k7=\E[18~:k8=\E[19~:k9=\E[20~:kD=\E[3~:\
78 :kI=\E[2~:kN=\E[6~:kP=\E[5~:kb=\177:kd=\EOB:ke=\E[?1l\E>:\ 325 :kI=\E[2~:kN=\E[6~:kP=\E[5~:kb=\177:kd=\EOB:ke=\E[?1l\E>:\
79 :kh=\E[7~:kl=\EOD:kr=\EOC:ks=\E[?1h\E=:ku=\EOA:le=^H:\ 326 :kh=\E[7~:kl=\EOD:kr=\EOC:ks=\E[?1h\E=:ku=\EOA:le=^H:\
80 :mb=\E[5m:md=\E[1m:me=\E[m\017:mr=\E[7m:nd=\E[C:rc=\E8:\ 327 :mb=\E[5m:md=\E[1m:me=\E[m\017:mr=\E[7m:nd=\E[C:rc=\E8:\
81 :sc=\E7:se=\E[27m:sf=^J:so=\E[7m:sr=\EM:st=\EH:ta=^I:\ 328 :sc=\E7:se=\E[27m:sf=^J:so=\E[7m:sr=\EM:st=\EH:ta=^I:\
82 :te=\E[r\E[?1049l:ti=\E[?1049h:ue=\E[24m:up=\E[A:\ 329 :te=\E[r\E[?1049l:ti=\E[?1049h:ue=\E[24m:up=\E[A:\
83 :us=\E[4m:vb=\E[?5h\E[?5l:ve=\E[?25h:vi=\E[?25l:\ 330 :us=\E[4m:vb=\E[?5h\E[?5l:ve=\E[?25h:vi=\E[?25l:\
84 :vs=\E[?25h: 331 :vs=\E[?25h:
85 332
86 Why does "ls" no longer have coloured output? 333 Why does "ls" no longer have coloured output?
87 The "ls" in the GNU coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to 334 The "ls" in the GNU coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to
88 decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration 335 decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration
89 file. Needless to say, "rxvt-unicode" is not in it's default file 336 file. Needless to say, "rxvt-unicode" is not in it's default file (among
90 (among with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add: 337 with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add:
91 338
92 TERM rxvt-unicode 339 TERM rxvt-unicode
93 340
94 to "/etc/DIR_COLORS" or simply add: 341 to "/etc/DIR_COLORS" or simply add:
95 342
96 alias ls='ls --color=auto' 343 alias ls='ls --color=auto'
97 344
98 to your ".profile" or ".bashrc". 345 to your ".profile" or ".bashrc".
99 346
100 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode? 347 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?
348 See next entry.
349
101 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic? 350 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?
351 See next entry.
352
102 Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly? 353 Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?
103 Make sure you are using "TERM=rxvt-unicode". Some pre-packaged 354 Make sure you are using "TERM=rxvt-unicode". Some pre-packaged
104 distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode by 355 distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode by
105 setting "TERM" to "rxvt", which doesn't have these extra features. 356 setting "TERM" to "rxvt", which doesn't have these extra features.
106 Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian GNU/Linux) 357 Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian GNU/Linux)
107 furthermore fail to even install the "rxvt-unicode" terminfo file, 358 furthermore fail to even install the "rxvt-unicode" terminfo file, so
108 so you will need to install it on your own (See the question When I 359 you will need to install it on your own (See the question When I log-in
109 log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data? on 360 to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data? on how to do
110 how to do this). 361 this).
111 362
112 My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output? 363 My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?
113 Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no 364 Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no
114 specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is 365 specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is
115 caused by the wrong "TERM" setting, although the details of wether 366 caused by the wrong "TERM" setting, although the details of wether and
116 and how this can happen are unknown, as "TERM=rxvt" should offer a 367 how this can happen are unknown, as "TERM=rxvt" should offer a
117 compatible keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and 368 compatible keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and please
118 please report if that helped. 369 report if that helped.
119 370
120 Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding? 371 Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?
372 See next entry.
373
121 Unicode does not seem to work? 374 Unicode does not seem to work?
122 If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character 375 If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but
123 but getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program 376 getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output
124 output is subtly garbled, then you should check your locale 377 is subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings.
125 settings.
126 378
127 Rxvt-unicode must be started with the same "LC_CTYPE" setting as the 379 Rxvt-unicode must be started with the same "LC_CTYPE" setting as the
128 programs. Often rxvt-unicode is started in the "C" locale, while the 380 programs. Often rxvt-unicode is started in the "C" locale, while the
129 login script running within the rxvt-unicode window changes the 381 login script running within the rxvt-unicode window changes the locale
130 locale to something else, e.g. "en_GB.UTF-8". Needless to say, this 382 to something else, e.g. "en_GB.UTF-8". Needless to say, this is not
131 is not going to work. 383 going to work.
132 384
133 The best thing is to fix your startup environment, as you will 385 The best thing is to fix your startup environment, as you will likely
134 likely run into other problems. If nothing works you can try this in 386 run into other problems. If nothing works you can try this in your
135 your .profile. 387 .profile.
136 388
137 printf '\e]701;%s\007' "$LC_CTYPE" 389 printf '\e]701;%s\007' "$LC_CTYPE"
138 390
139 If this doesn't work, then maybe you use a "LC_CTYPE" specification 391 If this doesn't work, then maybe you use a "LC_CTYPE" specification not
140 not supported on your systems. Some systems have a "locale" command 392 supported on your systems. Some systems have a "locale" command which
141 which displays this (also, "perl -e0" can be used to check locale 393 displays this (also, "perl -e0" can be used to check locale settings, as
142 settings, as it will complain loudly if it cannot set the locale). 394 it will complain loudly if it cannot set the locale). If it displays
143 If it displays something like: 395 something like:
144 396
145 locale: Cannot set LC_CTYPE to default locale: ... 397 locale: Cannot set LC_CTYPE to default locale: ...
146 398
147 Then the locale you specified is not supported on your system. 399 Then the locale you specified is not supported on your system.
148 400
149 If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly 401 If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then
150 then you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs 402 you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't
151 just don't support locales :( 403 support locales :(
152 404
153 Why do some characters look so much different than others? 405 Why do some characters look so much different than others?
406 See next entry.
407
154 How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts? 408 How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?
155 Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is fine. 409 Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is fine.
156 Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of 410 Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of your
157 your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you 411 system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want to
158 want to display. 412 display.
159 413
160 rxvt-unicode makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement font. 414 rxvt-unicode makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement font.
161 Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks 415 Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks
162 bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that 416 bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that don't
163 don't resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the 417 resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial
164 artificial intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it 418 intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe
165 has to believe the font that the characters it claims to contain 419 the font that the characters it claims to contain indeed look correct.
166 indeed look correct.
167 420
168 In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font 421 In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list,
169 list, e.g.: 422 e.g.:
170 423
171 rxvt -fn basefont,font2,font3... 424 rxvt -fn basefont,font2,font3...
172 425
173 When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base 426 When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base font.
174 font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to 427 If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the next
175 the next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed 428 font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this
176 up this search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the 429 search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X-server.
177 X-server.
178 430
179 The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the 431 The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the
180 base font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell 432 base font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell size,
181 size, which must be the same due to the way terminals work. 433 which must be the same due to the way terminals work.
182 434
183 Why do some chinese characters look so different than others? 435 Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?
184 This is because there is a difference between script and language -- 436 This is because there is a difference between script and language --
185 rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output 437 rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output is, as
186 is, as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode 438 it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode first sees a
187 first sees a japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese 439 japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese font for display.
188 font for display. Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. 440 Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. Now, many chinese
189 Now, many chinese characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, 441 characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first
190 so when the first non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will 442 non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese
191 look for a chinese font -- unfortunately at this point, it will 443 font -- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font
192 still use the japanese font for chinese characters that are also in 444 for chinese characters that are also in the japanese font.
193 the japanese font.
194 445
195 The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your 446 The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font
196 font list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font 447 list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as a
197 list as a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a 448 preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font
198 japanese font first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font 449 first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first.
199 first.
200 450
201 In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at 451 In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at
202 runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using 452 runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using different
203 different fonts for the same character at the same time, but no 453 fonts for the same character at the same time, but no interface for this
204 interface for this has been designed yet). 454 has been designed yet).
205 455
206 Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see 456 Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see "Can
207 "Can I switch the fonts at runtime?" later in this document). 457 I switch the fonts at runtime?" later in this document).
208 458
209 Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings? 459 Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?
210 Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that 460 Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that
211 character size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for 461 character size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for terminal
212 terminal use might contain some characters that are simply too wide. 462 use might contain some characters that are simply too wide. Rxvt-unicode
213 Rxvt-unicode will avoid these characters. For characters that are 463 will avoid these characters. For characters that are just "a bit" too
214 just "a bit" too wide a special "careful" rendering mode is used 464 wide a special "careful" rendering mode is used that redraws adjacent
215 that redraws adjacent characters. 465 characters.
216 466
217 All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes, 467 All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes,
218 however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed 468 however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed
219 bounding box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the 469 bounding box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the correct
220 correct way is to ask for the character bounding box, which 470 way is to ask for the character bounding box, which unfortunately is
221 unfortunately is wrong in these cases). 471 wrong in these cases).
222 472
223 It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, 473 It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, freetype,
224 freetype, or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you 474 or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you might try
225 might try using the "-lsp" option to give the font more height. If 475 using the "-lsp" option to give the font more height. If that doesn't
226 that doesn't work, you might be forced to use a different font. 476 work, you might be forced to use a different font.
227 477
228 All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their 478 All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their
229 bounding box data is correct. 479 bounding box data is correct.
230 480
481 On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide.
482 Seems to be a known bug, read
483 <http://nixdoc.net/files/forum/about34198.html>. Some people use the
484 following ugly workaround to get non-double-wide-characters working:
485
486 #define wcwidth(x) wcwidth(x) > 1 ? 1 : wcwidth(x)
487
231 My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working. 488 My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working.
232 The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not 489 The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not set
233 set correctly, or you specified a preeditStyle that is not supported 490 correctly, or you specified a preeditStyle that is not supported by your
234 by your input method. For example, if you specified OverTheSpot and 491 input method. For example, if you specified OverTheSpot and your input
235 your input method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose 492 method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose keys) does not
236 keys) does not support this (for instance because it is not visual), 493 support this (for instance because it is not visual), then rxvt-unicode
237 then rxvt-unicode will continue without an input method. 494 will continue without an input method.
238 495
239 In this case either do not specify a preeditStyle or specify more 496 In this case either do not specify a preeditStyle or specify more than
240 than one pre-edit style, such as OverTheSpot,Root,None. 497 one pre-edit style, such as OverTheSpot,Root,None.
241 498
242 I cannot type "Ctrl-Shift-2" to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 499 I cannot type "Ctrl-Shift-2" to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 14755
243 14755
244 Either try "Ctrl-2" alone (it often is mapped to ASCII NUL even on 500 Either try "Ctrl-2" alone (it often is mapped to ASCII NUL even on
245 international keyboards) or simply use ISO 14755 support to your 501 international keyboards) or simply use ISO 14755 support to your
246 advantage, typing <Ctrl-Shift-0> to get a ASCII NUL. This works for 502 advantage, typing <Ctrl-Shift-0> to get a ASCII NUL. This works for
247 other codes, too, such as "Ctrl-Shift-1-d" to type the default 503 other codes, too, such as "Ctrl-Shift-1-d" to type the default telnet
248 telnet escape character and so on. 504 escape character and so on.
249 505
250 How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much? 506 How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?
251 First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal 507 First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal settings
252 settings ("TERM=rxvt-unicode"), which will get rid of most of these 508 ("TERM=rxvt-unicode"), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then
253 effects. Then make sure you have specified colours for italic and 509 make sure you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise
254 bold, as otherwise rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate 510 rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
255 the effect:
256 511
257 URxvt.colorBD: white 512 URxvt.colorBD: white
258 URxvt.colorIT: green 513 URxvt.colorIT: green
259 514
260 Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how 515 Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?
261 can I fix that?
262 For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very 516 For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very weird
263 weird colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than 517 colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the
264 the standard 8 colours (rxvt-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, 518 standard 8 colours (rxvt-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of
265 of course, to fix these programs not to assume non-ISO colours 519 course, to fix these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very
266 without very good reasons. 520 good reasons.
267 521
268 In the meantime, you can either edit your "rxvt-unicode" terminfo 522 In the meantime, you can either edit your "rxvt-unicode" terminfo
269 definition to only claim 8 colour support or use "TERM=rxvt", which 523 definition to only claim 8 colour support or use "TERM=rxvt", which will
270 will fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode 524 fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
271 features.
272 525
273 I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all. 526 I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all.
274 Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol "__STDC_ISO_10646__" to be defined 527 Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol "__STDC_ISO_10646__" to be defined in
275 in your compile environment, or an implementation that implements 528 your compile environment, or an implementation that implements it,
276 it, wether it defines the symbol or not. "__STDC_ISO_10646__" 529 wether it defines the symbol or not. "__STDC_ISO_10646__" requires that
277 requires that wchar_t is represented as unicode. 530 wchar_t is represented as unicode.
278 531
279 As you might have guessed, FreeBSD does neither define this symobl 532 As you might have guessed, FreeBSD does neither define this symobl nor
280 nor does it support it. Instead, it uses it's own internal 533 does it support it. Instead, it uses it's own internal representation of
281 representation of wchar_t. This is, of course, completely fine with 534 wchar_t. This is, of course, completely fine with respect to standards.
282 respect to standards.
283 535
536 However, that means rxvt-unicode only works in "POSIX", "ISO-8859-1" and
537 "UTF-8" locales under FreeBSD (which all use Unicode as wchar_t.
538
284 However, "__STDC_ISO_10646__" is the only sane way to support 539 "__STDC_ISO_10646__" is the only sane way to support multi-language apps
285 multi-language apps in an OS, as using a locale-dependent (and 540 in an OS, as using a locale-dependent (and non-standardized)
286 non-standardized) representation of wchar_t makes it impossible to 541 representation of wchar_t makes it impossible to convert between wchar_t
287 convert between wchar_t (as used by X11 and your applications) and 542 (as used by X11 and your applications) and any other encoding without
288 any other encoding without implementing OS-specific-wrappers for 543 implementing OS-specific-wrappers for each and every locale. There
289 each and every locale. There simply are no APIs to convert wchar_t 544 simply are no APIs to convert wchar_t into anything except the current
290 into anything except the current locale encoding. 545 locale encoding.
291 546
292 Some applications (such as the formidable mlterm) work around this 547 Some applications (such as the formidable mlterm) work around this by
293 by carrying their own replacement functions for character set 548 carrying their own replacement functions for character set handling with
294 handling with them, and either implementing OS-dependent hacks or 549 them, and either implementing OS-dependent hacks or doing multiple
295 doing multiple conversions (which is slow and unreliable in case the 550 conversions (which is slow and unreliable in case the OS implements
296 OS implements encodings slightly different than the terminal 551 encodings slightly different than the terminal emulator).
297 emulator).
298 552
299 The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in 553 The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in the
300 the system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app 554 system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app to carry
301 to carry complete replacements for them :) 555 complete replacements for them :)
302 556
557 I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc.
558 Try the diff in doc/solaris9.patch as a base. It fixes the worst
559 problems with "wcwidth" and a compile problem.
560
561 How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?
562 rxvt-unicode should compile and run out of the box on cygwin, using the
563 X11 libraries that come with cygwin. libW11 emulation is no longer
564 supported (and makes no sense, either, as it only supported a single
565 font). I recommend starting the X-server in "-multiwindow" or
566 "-rootless" mode instead, which will result in similar look&feel as the
567 old libW11 emulation.
568
569 At the time of this writing, cygwin didn't seem to support any
570 multi-byte encodings (you might try "LC_CTYPE=C-UTF-8"), so you are
571 likely limited to 8-bit encodings.
572
303 How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use? 573 How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?
574 See next entry.
575
304 Is there an option to switch encodings? 576 Is there an option to switch encodings?
305 Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, 577 Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
306 and no specific "utf-8" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't 578 specific "utf-8" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know
307 even know about UTF-8 or any other encodings with respect to 579 about UTF-8 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
308 terminal I/O.
309 580
310 The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for 581 The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for
311 selecting the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating 582 selecting the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating
312 this to all applications so everybody agrees on character properties 583 this to all applications so everybody agrees on character properties
313 such as width and code number. This mechanism is the *locale*. 584 such as width and code number. This mechanism is the *locale*.
314 Applications not using that info will have problems (for example, 585 Applications not using that info will have problems (for example,
315 "xterm" gets the width of characters wrong as it uses it's own, 586 "xterm" gets the width of characters wrong as it uses it's own,
316 locale-independent table under all locales). 587 locale-independent table under all locales).
317 588
318 Rxvt-unicode uses the "LC_CTYPE" locale category to select encoding. 589 Rxvt-unicode uses the "LC_CTYPE" locale category to select encoding. All
319 All programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree 590 programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
320 in the interpretation of characters. 591 interpretation of characters.
321 592
322 Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, 593 Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
323 nor is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like. 594 is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
324 595
325 On most systems, the content of the "LC_CTYPE" environment variable 596 On most systems, the content of the "LC_CTYPE" environment variable
326 contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an 597 contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
327 already-installed locale. Common names for locales are 598 locale. Common names for locales are "en_US.UTF-8", "de_DE.ISO-8859-15",
328 "en_US.UTF-8", "de_DE.ISO-8859-15", "ja_JP.EUC-JP", i.e. 599 "ja_JP.EUC-JP", i.e. "language_country.encoding", but other forms (i.e.
329 "language_country.encoding", but other forms (i.e. "de" or "german") 600 "de" or "german") are also common.
330 are also common.
331 601
332 Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for the 602 Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for the
333 encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings, i.e. 603 encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings, i.e.
334 "de_DE.UTF-8" and "ja_JP.UTF-8" are the normally same to 604 "de_DE.UTF-8" and "ja_JP.UTF-8" are the normally same to rxvt-unicode.
335 rxvt-unicode.
336 605
337 If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you 606 If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
338 start rxvt-unicode with the correct "LC_CTYPE" category. 607 rxvt-unicode with the correct "LC_CTYPE" category.
339 608
340 Can I switch locales at runtime? 609 Can I switch locales at runtime?
341 Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets 610 Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets
342 rxvt-unicode's idea of "LC_CTYPE". 611 rxvt-unicode's idea of "LC_CTYPE".
343 612
613 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
614
615 See also the previous answer.
616
617 Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in one
618 locale (e.g. "de_DE.UTF-8") but some programs don't support it (e.g.
619 UTF-8). For example, I use this script to start "xjdic", which first
620 switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
621
344 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS 622 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
345
346 See also the previous answer.
347
348 Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in
349 one locale (e.g. "de_DE.UTF-8") but some programs don't support it
350 (e.g. UTF-8). For example, I use this script to start "xjdic", which
351 first switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
352
353 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
354 xjdic -js 623 xjdic -js
355 printf '\e]701;%s\007' de_DE.UTF-8 624 printf '\e]701;%s\007' de_DE.UTF-8
356 625
357 You can also use xterm's "luit" program, which usually works fine, 626 You can also use xterm's "luit" program, which usually works fine,
358 except for some locales where character width differs between 627 except for some locales where character width differs between program-
359 program- and rxvt-unicode-locales. 628 and rxvt-unicode-locales.
360 629
361 Can I switch the fonts at runtime? 630 Can I switch the fonts at runtime?
362 Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has 631 Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has the
363 the same effect as using the "-fn" switch, and takes effect 632 same effect as using the "-fn" switch, and takes effect immediately:
364 immediately:
365 633
366 printf '\e]50;%s\007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic" 634 printf '\e]50;%s\007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
367 635
368 This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer 636 This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
369 a japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, 637 japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
370 where japanese fonts would only be in your way. 638 japanese fonts would only be in your way.
371 639
372 You can think of this as a kind of manual ISO-2022 switching. 640 You can think of this as a kind of manual ISO-2022 switching.
373 641
374 Why do italic characters look as if clipped? 642 Why do italic characters look as if clipped?
375 Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For 643 Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
376 example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font "xft:Bitstream Vera 644 example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font "xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
377 Sans Mono" completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might 645 Mono" completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might be to
378 be to enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this: 646 enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
379 647
380 URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true 648 URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
381 URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true 649 URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
382 650
383 My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do? 651 My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?
384 You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest 652 You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of
385 of the terminal, using the resource "imlocale": 653 the terminal, using the resource "imlocale":
386 654
387 URxvt*imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP 655 URxvt.imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
388 656
389 Now you can start your terminal with "LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF-8" and 657 Now you can start your terminal with "LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF-8" and still
390 still use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not 658 use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able
391 be able to input characters outside "EUC-JP" in a normal way then, 659 to input characters outside "EUC-JP" in a normal way then, as your input
392 as your input method limits you. 660 method limits you.
393 661
394 Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits. 662 Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits.
395 Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the XIM protocol is racy by 663 Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the XIM protocol is racy by
396 design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory 664 design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory
397 leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering 665 leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering at
398 at exit time. kinput2 (and derived input methods) generally 666 exit time. kinput2 (and derived input methods) generally succeeds, while
399 succeeds, while SCIM (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, 667 SCIM (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, however, crashes
400 however, crashes cannot be completely avoided even if both sides 668 cannot be completely avoided even if both sides cooperate.
401 cooperate.
402 669
403 So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers. 670 So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers.
404 671
405 Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that? 672 Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?
406 Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for 673 Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for something
407 something you don't use. One thing you should try is to configure 674 you don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings
408 out all settings that you don't need, for example, Xft support is a 675 that you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by
409 resource hog by design, when used. Compiling it out ensures that no 676 design, when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be
410 Xft font will be loaded accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find 677 loaded accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your
411 a font for your characters. 678 characters.
412 679
413 Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger 680 Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
414 scrollback buffers: Without "--enable-unicode3", rxvt-unicode will 681 scrollback buffers: Without "--enable-unicode3", rxvt-unicode will use 6
415 use 6 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to 682 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
416 almost a kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will 683 kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if
417 then (if full) use 10 Megabytes of memory. With "--enable-unicode3" 684 full) use 10 Megabytes of memory. With "--enable-unicode3" it gets
418 it gets worse, as rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell. 685 worse, as rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
419 686
420 Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow? 687 Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?
421 Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, 688 Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as it
422 as it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to 689 is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
423 disable antialiasing (by appending ":antialiasing=false"), which 690 antialiasing (by appending ":antialias=false"), which saves lots of
424 saves lots of memory and also speeds up rendering considerably. 691 memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
425 692
426 Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong? 693 Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?
427 Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to 694 Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
428 fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core 695 fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
429 fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It 696 fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
430 has antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author 697 antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
431 thinks they look best that way. 698 look best that way.
432 699
433 If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually. 700 If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
434 701
435 Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works. 702 Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works.
436 Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing 703 Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing some
437 some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. 704 editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've heard
438 I've heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise 705 that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A quick
439 specified. A quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt 706 check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
440 or Shift keys are depressed. See rxvt(7) 707 depressed.
441 708
442 What's with this bold/blink stuff? 709 What's with this bold/blink stuff?
443 If no bold colour is set via "colorBD:", bold will invert text using 710 If no bold colour is set via "colorBD:", bold will invert text using the
444 the standard foreground colour. 711 standard foreground colour.
445 712
446 For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the 713 For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the text
447 text blink when compiled with "--enable-blinking". with standard 714 blink when compiled with "--enable-blinking". with standard colours.
448 colours. Without "--enable-blinking", the blink attribute will be 715 Without "--enable-blinking", the blink attribute will be ignored.
449 ignored.
450 716
451 On ANSI colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set 717 On ANSI colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
452 high-intensity foreground/background colors. 718 foreground/background colors.
453 719
454 color0-7 are the low-intensity colors. 720 color0-7 are the low-intensity colors.
455 721
456 color8-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors. 722 color8-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
457 723
458 I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them? 724 I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?
459 You can change the screen colors at run-time using ~/.Xdefaults 725 You can change the screen colors at run-time using ~/.Xdefaults
460 resources (or as long-options). 726 resources (or as long-options).
461 727
462 Here are values that are supposed to resemble a VGA screen, 728 Here are values that are supposed to resemble a VGA screen, including
463 including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow: 729 the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
464 730
465 URxvt.color0: #000000 731 URxvt.color0: #000000
466 URxvt.color1: #A80000 732 URxvt.color1: #A80000
467 URxvt.color2: #00A800 733 URxvt.color2: #00A800
468 URxvt.color3: #A8A800 734 URxvt.color3: #A8A800
469 URxvt.color4: #0000A8 735 URxvt.color4: #0000A8
470 URxvt.color5: #A800A8 736 URxvt.color5: #A800A8
471 URxvt.color6: #00A8A8 737 URxvt.color6: #00A8A8
472 URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8 738 URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8
473 739
474 URxvt.color8: #000054 740 URxvt.color8: #000054
475 URxvt.color9: #FF0054 741 URxvt.color9: #FF0054
476 URxvt.color10: #00FF54 742 URxvt.color10: #00FF54
477 URxvt.color11: #FFFF54 743 URxvt.color11: #FFFF54
478 URxvt.color12: #0000FF 744 URxvt.color12: #0000FF
479 URxvt.color13: #FF00FF 745 URxvt.color13: #FF00FF
480 URxvt.color14: #00FFFF 746 URxvt.color14: #00FFFF
481 URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF 747 URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF
482 748
483 And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors described 749 And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors described (not by
484 (not by me) as "pretty girly". 750 me) as "pretty girly".
485 751
486 URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1 752 URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1
487 URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1 753 URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1
488 URxvt.background: #0e0e0e 754 URxvt.background: #0e0e0e
489 URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1 755 URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1
490 URxvt.color0: #000000 756 URxvt.color0: #000000
491 URxvt.color8: #8b8f93 757 URxvt.color8: #8b8f93
492 URxvt.color1: #dc74d1 758 URxvt.color1: #dc74d1
493 URxvt.color9: #dc74d1 759 URxvt.color9: #dc74d1
494 URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7 760 URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7
495 URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7 761 URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7
496 URxvt.color3: #dfe37e 762 URxvt.color3: #dfe37e
497 URxvt.color11: #dfe37e 763 URxvt.color11: #dfe37e
498 URxvt.color5: #9e88f0 764 URxvt.color5: #9e88f0
499 URxvt.color13: #9e88f0 765 URxvt.color13: #9e88f0
500 URxvt.color6: #73f7ff 766 URxvt.color6: #73f7ff
501 URxvt.color14: #73f7ff 767 URxvt.color14: #73f7ff
502 URxvt.color7: #e1dddd 768 URxvt.color7: #e1dddd
503 URxvt.color15: #e1dddd 769 URxvt.color15: #e1dddd
504 770
505 How can I start rxvtd in a race-free way? 771 How can I start rxvtd in a race-free way?
506 Despite it's name, rxvtd is not a real daemon, but more like a 772 Try "rxvtd -f -o", which tells rxvtd to open the display, create the
507 server that answers rxvtc's requests, so it doesn't background 773 listening socket and then fork.
508 itself.
509 774
510 To ensure rxvtd is listening on it's socket, you can use the
511 following method to wait for the startup message before continuing:
512
513 { rxvtd & } | read
514
515 What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour? 775 What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?
516 Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the 776 Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the BackSpace
517 BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following 777 keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following question) there are
518 question) there are two standard values that can be used for 778 two standard values that can be used for Backspace: "^H" and "^?".
519 Backspace: "^H" and "^?".
520 779
521 Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the 780 Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the
522 debian policy of using "^?" when unsure, because it's the one only 781 debian policy of using "^?" when unsure, because it's the one only only
523 only correct choice :). 782 correct choice :).
524 783
525 Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the 784 Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the
526 value of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode 785 value of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode
527 wasn't started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote 786 wasn't started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell),
528 shell), then the system value of `erase', which corresponds to 787 then the system value of `erase', which corresponds to CERASE in
529 CERASE in <termios.h>, will be used (which may not be the same as 788 <termios.h>, will be used (which may not be the same as your stty
530 your stty setting). 789 setting).
531 790
532 For starting a new rxvt-unicode: 791 For starting a new rxvt-unicode:
533 792
534 # use Backspace = ^H 793 # use Backspace = ^H
535 $ stty erase ^H 794 $ stty erase ^H
536 $ rxvt 795 $ rxvt
537 796
538 # use Backspace = ^? 797 # use Backspace = ^?
539 $ stty erase ^? 798 $ stty erase ^?
540 $ rxvt 799 $ rxvt
541 800
542 Toggle with "ESC [ 36 h" / "ESC [ 36 l" as documented in rxvt(7). 801 Toggle with "ESC [ 36 h" / "ESC [ 36 l".
543 802
544 For an existing rxvt-unicode: 803 For an existing rxvt-unicode:
545 804
546 # use Backspace = ^H 805 # use Backspace = ^H
547 $ stty erase ^H 806 $ stty erase ^H
548 $ echo -n "^[[36h" 807 $ echo -n "^[[36h"
549 808
550 # use Backspace = ^? 809 # use Backspace = ^?
551 $ stty erase ^? 810 $ stty erase ^?
552 $ echo -n "^[[36l" 811 $ echo -n "^[[36l"
553 812
554 This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, 813 This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
555 but if you use Backspace = "^H", make sure that the termcap/terminfo 814 if you use Backspace = "^H", make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
556 value properly reflects that. 815 properly reflects that.
557 816
558 The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace 817 The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace
559 problem. To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, 818 problem. To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the
560 the Delete key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the 819 Delete key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for
561 vt100 for Execute ("ESC [ 3 ~") and is in the supplied 820 Execute ("ESC [ 3 ~") and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
562 termcap/terminfo.
563 821
564 Some other Backspace problems: 822 Some other Backspace problems:
565 823
566 some editors use termcap/terminfo, some editors (vim I'm told) 824 some editors use termcap/terminfo, some editors (vim I'm told) expect
567 expect Backspace = ^H, GNU Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for 825 Backspace = ^H, GNU Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
568 help.
569 826
570 Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner. 827 Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
571 828
572 I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them? 829 I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?
573 There are some compile-time selections available via configure. 830 There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
574 Unless you have run "configure" with the "--disable-resources" 831 you have run "configure" with the "--disable-resources" option you can
575 option you can use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings 832 use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with
576 associated with keysyms. 833 keysyms.
577 834
578 Here's an example for a URxvt session started using "rxvt -name 835 Here's an example for a URxvt session started using "rxvt -name URxvt"
579 URxvt"
580 836
581 URxvt.keysym.Home: \033[1~ 837 URxvt.keysym.Home: \033[1~
582 URxvt.keysym.End: \033[4~ 838 URxvt.keysym.End: \033[4~
583 URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \033<C-'> 839 URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \033<C-'>
584 URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \033<C-/> 840 URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \033<C-/>
585 URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \033<C-;> 841 URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \033<C-;>
586 URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \033<C-`> 842 URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \033<C-`>
587 URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \033<C-,> 843 URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \033<C-,>
588 URxvt.keysym.C-period: \033<C-.> 844 URxvt.keysym.C-period: \033<C-.>
589 URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \033<C-`> 845 URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \033<C-`>
590 URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \033<C-Tab> 846 URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \033<C-Tab>
591 URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \033<C-Return> 847 URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \033<C-Return>
592 URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \033<S-Return> 848 URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \033<S-Return>
593 URxvt.keysym.S-space: \033<S-Space> 849 URxvt.keysym.S-space: \033<S-Space>
594 URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \033<M-Up> 850 URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \033<M-Up>
595 URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \033<M-Down> 851 URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \033<M-Down>
596 URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \033<M-Left> 852 URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \033<M-Left>
597 URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \033<M-Right> 853 URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \033<M-Right>
598 URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \033<M-C- 0123456789 > 854 URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \033<M-C- 0123456789 >
599 URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz > 855 URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz >
600 URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\033]701;zh_CN.GBK\007 856 URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\033]701;zh_CN.GBK\007
601 857
602 See some more examples in the documentation for the keysym resource. 858 See some more examples in the documentation for the keysym resource.
603 859
604 I'm using keyboard model XXX that has extra Prior/Next/Insert keys. How 860 I'm using keyboard model XXX that has extra Prior/Next/Insert keys. How do I make use of them? For example, the Sun Keyboard type 4 has the following mappings that rxvt-unicode doesn't recognize.
605 do I make use of them? For example, the Sun Keyboard type 4 has the
606 following mappings that rxvt-unicode doesn't recognize.
607 KP_Insert == Insert 861 KP_Insert == Insert
608 F22 == Print 862 F22 == Print
609 F27 == Home 863 F27 == Home
610 F29 == Prior 864 F29 == Prior
611 F33 == End 865 F33 == End
612 F35 == Next 866 F35 == Next
613 867
614 Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various 868 Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various
615 possible keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap 869 possible keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the
616 the keys as required for your particular machine. 870 keys as required for your particular machine.
617 871
618 How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? 872 How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc.
619 I need this to decide about setting colors etc.
620 rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable "COLORTERM", so you 873 rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable "COLORTERM", so you can
621 can check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, JED, 874 check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, JED, slrn,
622 slrn, Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide 875 Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide whether
623 whether or not to use color. 876 or not to use color.
624 877
625 How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable? 878 How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?
626 If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with DISPLAY_IS_IP and have enabled 879 If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with DISPLAY_IS_IP and have enabled
627 insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script 880 insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
628 snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of 881 snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
629 rxvt-unicode wasn't also compiled with ESCZ_ANSWER (as assumed in 882 wasn't also compiled with ESCZ_ANSWER (as assumed in these snippets)
630 these snippets) then the COLORTERM variable can be used to 883 then the COLORTERM variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from
631 distinguish rxvt-unicode from a regular xterm. 884 a regular xterm.
632 885
633 Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell 886 Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
634 script snippets: 887 snippets:
635 888
636 # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells: 889 # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
637 [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know 890 [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
638 if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then 891 if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
639 stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not 892 stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
640 echo -n '^[Z' 893 echo -n '^[Z'
641 read term_id 894 read term_id
642 stty icanon echo 895 stty icanon echo
643 if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then 896 if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
644 echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string 897 echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
645 read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell 898 read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
646 fi
647 fi 899 fi
900 fi
648 901
649 How do I compile the manual pages for myself? 902 How do I compile the manual pages for myself?
650 You need to have a recent version of perl installed as 903 You need to have a recent version of perl installed as /usr/bin/perl,
651 /usr/bin/perl, one that comes with pod2man, pod2text and pod2html. 904 one that comes with pod2man, pod2text and pod2html. Then go to the doc
652 Then go to the doc subdirectory and enter "make alldoc". 905 subdirectory and enter "make alldoc".
653 906
654 My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human? 907 My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?
655 Before sending me mail, you could go to IRC: "irc.freenode.net", 908 Before sending me mail, you could go to IRC: "irc.freenode.net", channel
656 channel "#rxvt-unicode" has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might 909 "#rxvt-unicode" has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might be
657 be interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not 910 interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not FAQs :).
658 FAQs :).
659 911

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