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Revision 1.22 by root, Tue Aug 24 15:46:27 2004 UTC vs.
Revision 1.68 by root, Thu Aug 11 02:05:07 2005 UTC

11B<rxvt-unicode>, version B<@@RXVT_VERSION@@>, is a colour vt102 terminal 11B<rxvt-unicode>, version B<@@RXVT_VERSION@@>, is a colour vt102 terminal
12emulator intended as an I<xterm>(1) replacement for users who do not 12emulator intended as an I<xterm>(1) replacement for users who do not
13require features such as Tektronix 4014 emulation and toolkit-style 13require features such as Tektronix 4014 emulation and toolkit-style
14configurability. As a result, B<rxvt-unicode> uses much less swap space -- 14configurability. As a result, B<rxvt-unicode> uses much less swap space --
15a significant advantage on a machine serving many X sessions. 15a significant advantage on a machine serving many X sessions.
16
17=head1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
18
19See @@RXVT_NAME@@(7) (try C<man 7 @@RXVT_NAME@@>) for a list of
20frequently asked questions and answer to them and some common
21problems. That document is also accessible on the World-Wide-Web at
22L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/browse/*checkout*/rxvt-unicode/doc/rxvt.7.html>.
16 23
17=head1 RXVT-UNICODE VS. RXVT 24=head1 RXVT-UNICODE VS. RXVT
18 25
19Unlike the original rxvt, B<rxvt-unicode> stores all text in Unicode 26Unlike the original rxvt, B<rxvt-unicode> stores all text in Unicode
20internally. That means it can store and display most scripts in the 27internally. That means it can store and display most scripts in the
24like tibetan or devenagari. Don't expect pretty output when using these 31like tibetan or devenagari. Don't expect pretty output when using these
25scripts. Most other scripts, latin, cyrillic, kanji, thai etc. should work 32scripts. Most other scripts, latin, cyrillic, kanji, thai etc. should work
26fine, though. A somewhat difficult case are left-to-right scripts, such 33fine, though. A somewhat difficult case are left-to-right scripts, such
27as hebrew: B<rxvt-unicode> adopts the view that bidirectional algorithms 34as hebrew: B<rxvt-unicode> adopts the view that bidirectional algorithms
28belong into the application, not the terminal emulator (too many things -- 35belong into the application, not the terminal emulator (too many things --
29such as cursor-movement while editing -- break othwerwise), but that might 36such as cursor-movement while editing -- break otherwise), but that might
30change. 37change.
31 38
32If you are looking for a terminal that supports more exotic scripts, let 39If you are looking for a terminal that supports more exotic scripts, let
33me recommend C<mlterm>, which is a very userfriendly, lean and clean 40me recommend C<mlterm>, which is a very userfriendly, lean and clean
34terminal emulator. In fact, the reason rxvt-unicode was born was solely 41terminal emulator. In fact, the reason rxvt-unicode was born was solely
53drastically reduces memory usage. See @@RXVT_NAME@@d(1) (daemon) and 60drastically reduces memory usage. See @@RXVT_NAME@@d(1) (daemon) and
54@@RXVT_NAME@@c(1) (client). 61@@RXVT_NAME@@c(1) (client).
55 62
56It also makes technical information about escape sequences (which have 63It also makes technical information about escape sequences (which have
57been extended) easier accessible: see @@RXVT_NAME@@(7) for technical 64been extended) easier accessible: see @@RXVT_NAME@@(7) for technical
58reference documentation (escape sequences etc.) and the FAQ section at the 65reference documentation (escape sequences etc.).
59end of this document.
60 66
61=head1 OPTIONS 67=head1 OPTIONS
62 68
63The B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> options (mostly a subset of I<xterm>'s) are listed 69The B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> options (mostly a subset of I<xterm>'s) are listed
64below. In keeping with the smaller-is-better philosophy, options may be 70below. In keeping with the smaller-is-better philosophy, options may be
106Turn on/off inheriting parent window's pixmap. Alternative form is 112Turn on/off inheriting parent window's pixmap. Alternative form is
107B<-tr>; resource B<inheritPixmap>. 113B<-tr>; resource B<inheritPixmap>.
108 114
109=item B<-fade> I<number> 115=item B<-fade> I<number>
110 116
111Fade the text by the given percentage when focus is lost. 117Fade the text by the given percentage when focus is lost. Small values
118fade a little only, 100 completely replaces all colours by the fade
119colour; resource B<fading>.
120
121=item B<-fadecolor> I<colour>
122
123Fade to this colour when fading is used (see B<-fade>). The default colour
124is black. resource B<fadeColor>.
112 125
113=item B<-tint> I<colour> 126=item B<-tint> I<colour>
114 127
115Tint the transparent background pixmap with the given colour when 128Tint the transparent background pixmap with the given colour when
116transparency is enabled with B<-tr> or B<-ip>. See also the B<-sh> 129transparency is enabled with B<-tr> or B<-ip>. See also the B<-sh>
117option that can be used to brighten or darken the image in addition to 130option that can be used to brighten or darken the image in addition to
118tinting it. 131tinting it; resource I<tintColor>.
119 132
120=item B<-sh> 133=item B<-sh>
121 134
122I<number> Darken (0 .. 100) or lighten (-1 .. -100) the transparent 135I<number> Darken (0 .. 100) or lighten (-1 .. -100) the transparent
123background image in addition to tinting it (i.e. B<-tint> must be 136background image in addition to tinting it (i.e. B<-tint> must be
124specified, too). 137specified, too, e.g. C<-tint white>).
125 138
126=item B<-bg> I<colour> 139=item B<-bg> I<colour>
127 140
128Window background colour; resource B<background>. 141Window background colour; resource B<background>.
129 142
132Window foreground colour; resource B<foreground>. 145Window foreground colour; resource B<foreground>.
133 146
134=item B<-pixmap> I<file[;geom]> 147=item B<-pixmap> I<file[;geom]>
135 148
136Compile I<XPM>: Specify XPM file for the background and also optionally 149Compile I<XPM>: Specify XPM file for the background and also optionally
137specify its scaling with a geometry string. Note you may need to add 150specify its scaling with a geometry string. Note you may need to
138quotes to avoid special shell interpretation of the `;' in the 151add quotes to avoid special shell interpretation of the C<;> in the
139command-line; resource B<backgroundPixmap>. 152command-line; resource B<backgroundPixmap>.
140 153
141=item B<-cr> I<colour> 154=item B<-cr> I<colour>
142 155
143The cursor colour; resource B<cursorColor>. 156The cursor colour; resource B<cursorColor>.
158=item B<-fn> I<fontlist> 171=item B<-fn> I<fontlist>
159 172
160Select the fonts to be used. This is a comma separated list of font names 173Select the fonts to be used. This is a comma separated list of font names
161that are used in turn when trying to display Unicode characters. The 174that are used in turn when trying to display Unicode characters. The
162first font defines the cell size for characters; other fonts might be 175first font defines the cell size for characters; other fonts might be
163smaller, but not (in general) larger. A reasonable default font list is 176smaller, but not (in general) larger. A (hopefully) reasonable default
164always appended to it. See resource B<font> for details. 177font list is always appended to it. See resource B<font> for more details.
178
179In short, to specify an X11 core font, just specify it's name or prefix it
180with C<x:>. To specify an XFT-font, you need to prefix it with C<xft:>,
181e.g.:
182
183 @@RXVT_NAME@@ -fn "xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:pixelsize=15"
184 @@RXVT_NAME@@ -fn "9x15bold,xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono"
165 185
166See also the question "How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?" in the FAQ 186See also the question "How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?" in the FAQ
167section. 187section of @@RXVT_NAME@@(7).
168 188
169=item B<-fb> I<fontlist> 189=item B<-fb> I<fontlist>
170 190
171Compile font-styles: The bold font list to use when bold characters are to 191Compile font-styles: The bold font list to use when bold characters are to
172be printed. See resource B<boldFont> for details. 192be printed. See resource B<boldFont> for details.
225 245
226Put scrollbar on right/left; resource B<scrollBar_right>. 246Put scrollbar on right/left; resource B<scrollBar_right>.
227 247
228=item B<-st>|B<+st> 248=item B<-st>|B<+st>
229 249
230Display normal (non XTerm/NeXT) scrollbar without/with a trough; 250Display rxvt (non XTerm/NeXT) scrollbar without/with a trough;
231resource B<scrollBar_floating>. 251resource B<scrollBar_floating>.
252
253=item B<-ptab>|B<+ptab>
254
255If enabled (default), "Horizontal Tab" characters are being stored as
256actual wide characters in the screen buffer, which makes it possible to
257select and paste them. Since a horizontal tab is a cursor movement and
258not an actual glyph, this can sometimes be visually annoying as the cursor
259on a tab character is displayed as a wide cursor; resource B<pastableTabs>.
232 260
233=item B<-bc>|B<+bc> 261=item B<-bc>|B<+bc>
234 262
235Blink the cursor; resource B<cursorBlink>. 263Blink the cursor; resource B<cursorBlink>.
236 264
261if honoured by the WM, the rxvt-unicode window will not have window 289if honoured by the WM, the rxvt-unicode window will not have window
262decorations; resource B<borderLess>. 290decorations; resource B<borderLess>.
263 291
264=item B<-lsp> I<number> 292=item B<-lsp> I<number>
265 293
266Compile I<linespace>: Lines (pixel height) to insert between each row 294Compile I<frills>: Lines (pixel height) to insert between each row of
267of the display; resource B<linespace>. 295the display. Useful to work around font rendering problems; resource
296B<linespace>.
268 297
269=item B<-tn> I<termname> 298=item B<-tn> I<termname>
270 299
271This option specifies the name of the terminal type to be set in the 300This option specifies the name of the terminal type to be set in the
272B<TERM> environment variable. This terminal type must exist in the 301B<TERM> environment variable. This terminal type must exist in the
308 337
309Compile I<XIM>: input method name. resource B<inputMethod>. 338Compile I<XIM>: input method name. resource B<inputMethod>.
310 339
311=item B<-imlocale> I<string> 340=item B<-imlocale> I<string>
312 341
313The locale to use for opening the IM. You can use an LC_CTYPE of e.g. 342The locale to use for opening the IM. You can use an C<LC_CTYPE> of e.g.
314de_DE.UTF-8 for normal text processing but ja_JP.EUC-JP for the input 343C<de_DE.UTF-8> for normal text processing but C<ja_JP.EUC-JP> for the
315extension to be able to input japanese characters while staying in 344input extension to be able to input japanese characters while staying in
316another locale. 345another locale. resource B<imLocale>.
346
347=item B<-imfont> I<fontset>
348
349Set the font set to use for the X Input Method, see resource B<imFont>
350for more info.
351
352=item B<-tcw>
353
354Change the meaning of triple-click selection with the left mouse
355button. Instead of selecting a full line it will extend the selection the
356end of the logical line only. resource B<tripleclickwords>.
317 357
318=item B<-insecure> 358=item B<-insecure>
319 359
320Enable "insecure" mode, which currently enables most of the escape 360Enable "insecure" mode, which currently enables most of the escape
321sequences that echo strings. See the resource B<insecure> for more 361sequences that echo strings. See the resource B<insecure> for more
335=item B<-ssr>|B<+ssr> 375=item B<-ssr>|B<+ssr>
336 376
337Turn on/off secondary screen scroll (default enabled); resource 377Turn on/off secondary screen scroll (default enabled); resource
338B<secondaryScroll>. 378B<secondaryScroll>.
339 379
340=item B<-xrm> I<resourcestring> 380=item B<-keysym.>I<sym> I<string>
341 381
342No effect on rxvt-unicode. Simply passes through an argument to be made 382Remap a key symbol. See resource B<keysym>.
343available in the instance's argument list. Appears in I<WM_COMMAND> in 383
344some window managers. 384=item B<-embed> I<windowid>
385
386Tells @@RXVT_NAME@@ to embed it's windows into an already-existing window,
387which enables applications to easily embed a terminal.
388
389Right now, @@RXVT_NAME@@ will first unmap/map the specified window, so it
390shouldn't be a top-level window. @@RXVT_NAME@@ will also reconfigure it
391quite a bit, so don't expect it to keep some specific state. It's best to
392create an extra subwindow for @@RXVT_NAME@@ and leave it alone.
393
394The window will not be destroyed when @@RXVT_NAME@@ exits.
395
396It might be useful to know that @@RXVT_NAME@@ will not close file
397descriptors passed to it (except for stdin/out/err, of course), so you
398can use file descriptors to communicate with the programs within the
399terminal. This works regardless of wether the C<-embed> option was used or
400not.
401
402Here is a short Gtk2-perl snippet that illustrates how this option can be
403used (a longer example is in F<doc/embed>):
404
405 my $rxvt = new Gtk2::Socket;
406 $rxvt->signal_connect_after (realize => sub {
407 my $xid = $_[0]->window->get_xid;
408 system "@@RXVT_NAME@@ -embed $xid &";
409 });
410
411=item B<-pty-fd> I<fileno>
412
413Tells @@RXVT_NAME@@ NOT to execute any commands or create a new pty/tty
414pair but instead use the given filehandle as the tty master. This is
415useful if you want to drive @@RXVT_NAME@@ as a generic terminal emulator
416without having to run a program within it.
417
418If this switch is given, @@RXVT_NAME@@ will not create any utmp/wtmp
419entries and will not tinker with pty/tty permissions - you have to do that
420yourself if you want that.
421
422Here is a example in perl that illustrates how this option can be used (a
423longer example is in F<doc/pty-fd>):
424
425 use IO::Pty;
426 use Fcntl;
427
428 my $pty = new IO::Pty;
429 fcntl $pty, F_SETFD, 0; # clear close-on-exec
430 system "@@RXVT_NAME@@ -pty-fd " . (fileno $pty) . "&";
431 close $pty;
432
433 # now communicate with rxvt
434 my $slave = $pty->slave;
435 while (<$slave>) { print $slave "got <$_>\n" }
345 436
346=back 437=back
347 438
348=head1 RESOURCES (available also as long-options) 439=head1 RESOURCES (available also as long-options)
349 440
352 443
353There are two different methods that @@RXVT_NAME@@ can use to get the 444There are two different methods that @@RXVT_NAME@@ can use to get the
354Xresource data: using the X libraries (Xrm*-functions) or internal 445Xresource data: using the X libraries (Xrm*-functions) or internal
355Xresources reader (B<~/.Xdefaults>). For the first method (ie. 446Xresources reader (B<~/.Xdefaults>). For the first method (ie.
356B<@@RXVT_NAME@@ -h> lists B<XGetDefaults>), you can set and change the 447B<@@RXVT_NAME@@ -h> lists B<XGetDefaults>), you can set and change the
357resources using X11 tools like B<xset>. Many distribution do also load 448resources using X11 tools like B<xrdb>. Many distribution do also load
358settings from the B<~/.Xresources> file when X starts. 449settings from the B<~/.Xresources> file when X starts. @@RXVT_NAME@@
450will consult the following files/resources in order, with later settings
451overwriting earlier ones:
452
453 1. system-wide app-defaults file, either locale-dependent OR global
454 2. app-defaults file in $XAPPLRESDIR
455 3. RESOURCE_MANAGER property on root-window OR $HOME/.Xdefaults
456 4. SCREEN_RESOURCES for the current screen
457 5. $XENVIRONMENT file OR $HOME/.Xdefaults-<nodename>
359 458
360If compiled with internal Xresources support (i.e. B<@@RXVT_NAME@@ -h> 459If compiled with internal Xresources support (i.e. B<@@RXVT_NAME@@ -h>
361lists B<.Xdefaults>) then B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> accepts application defaults 460lists B<.Xdefaults>) then B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> accepts application defaults
362set in XAPPLOADDIR/URxvt (compile-time defined: usually 461set in XAPPLOADDIR/URxvt (compile-time defined: usually
363B</usr/lib/X11/app-defaults/URxvt>) and resources set in 462B</usr/lib/X11/app-defaults/URxvt>) and resources set in
408 507
409=item B<colorIT:> I<colour> 508=item B<colorIT:> I<colour>
410 509
411Use the specified colour to display bold or italic characters when the 510Use the specified colour to display bold or italic characters when the
412foreground colour is the default. If font styles are not available 511foreground colour is the default. If font styles are not available
413(Compile styles) and this option is unset, reverse video is used instead. 512(Compile I<styles>) and this option is unset, reverse video is used instead.
414 513
415=item B<colorUL:> I<colour> 514=item B<colorUL:> I<colour>
416 515
417Use the specified colour to display underlined characters when the 516Use the specified colour to display underlined characters when the
418foreground colour is the default. 517foreground colour is the default.
419 518
420=item B<colorRV:> I<colour> 519=item B<colorRV:> I<colour>
421 520
422Use the specified colour as the background for reverse video 521Use the specified colour as the background for reverse video
423characters. 522characters.
523
524=item B<underlineColor:> I<colour>
525
526If set, use the specified colour as the colour for the underline
527itself. If unset, use the foreground colour.
424 528
425=item B<cursorColor:> I<colour> 529=item B<cursorColor:> I<colour>
426 530
427Use the specified colour for the cursor. The default is to use the 531Use the specified colour for the cursor. The default is to use the
428foreground colour; option B<-cr>. 532foreground colour; option B<-cr>.
451artificial transparency. B<False>: do not inherit the parent windows' 555artificial transparency. B<False>: do not inherit the parent windows'
452pixmap. 556pixmap.
453 557
454=item B<fading:> I<number> 558=item B<fading:> I<number>
455 559
456Fade the text by the given percentage when focus is lost. 560Fade the text by the given percentage when focus is lost; option B<-fade>.
561
562=item B<fadeColor:> I<colour>
563
564Fade to this colour, when fading is used (see B<fading:>). The default
565colour is black; option B<-fadecolor>.
457 566
458=item B<tintColor:> I<colour> 567=item B<tintColor:> I<colour>
459 568
460Tint the transparent background pixmap with the given colour. 569Tint the transparent background pixmap with the given colour; option
570B<-tint>.
461 571
462=item B<shading:> I<number> 572=item B<shading:> I<number>
463 573
464Darken (0 .. 100) or lighten (-1 .. -100) the transparent background 574Darken (0 .. 100) or lighten (-1 .. -100) the transparent background
465image in addition to tinting it. 575image in addition to tinting it.
466 576
467=item B<fading:> I<number>
468
469Scale the tint colour by the given percentage.
470
471=item B<scrollColor:> I<colour> 577=item B<scrollColor:> I<colour>
472 578
473Use the specified colour for the scrollbar [default #B2B2B2]. 579Use the specified colour for the scrollbar [default #B2B2B2].
474 580
475=item B<troughColor:> I<colour> 581=item B<troughColor:> I<colour>
476 582
477Use the specified colour for the scrollbar's trough area [default 583Use the specified colour for the scrollbar's trough area [default
478#969696]. Only relevant for normal (non XTerm/NeXT) scrollbar. 584#969696]. Only relevant for rxvt (non XTerm/NeXT) scrollbar.
479 585
480=item B<borderColor:> I<colour> 586=item B<borderColor:> I<colour>
481 587
482The colour of the border around the text area and between the scrollbar 588The colour of the border around the text area and between the scrollbar
483and the text. 589and the text.
513The first font defines the cell size for characters; other fonts might 619The first font defines the cell size for characters; other fonts might
514be smaller, but not larger. A reasonable default font list is always 620be smaller, but not larger. A reasonable default font list is always
515appended to it. option B<-fn>. 621appended to it. option B<-fn>.
516 622
517Each font can either be a standard X11 core font (XLFD) name, with 623Each font can either be a standard X11 core font (XLFD) name, with
518optional prefix C<x:> or a Xft font (Compile xft), prefixed with C<xft:>. 624optional prefix C<x:> or a Xft font (Compile I<xft>), prefixed with C<xft:>.
519 625
520In addition, each font can be prefixed with additional hints and 626In addition, each font can be prefixed with additional hints and
521specifications enclosed in square brackets (C<[]>). The only available 627specifications enclosed in square brackets (C<[]>). The only available
522hint currently is C<codeset=codeset-name>, and this is only used for Xft 628hint currently is C<codeset=codeset-name>, and this is only used for Xft
523fonts. 629fonts.
533specifies five fonts to be used. The first one is C<9x15bold> (actually 639specifies five fonts to be used. The first one is C<9x15bold> (actually
534the iso8859-1 version of the second font), which is the base font (because 640the iso8859-1 version of the second font), which is the base font (because
535it is named first) and thus defines the character cell grid to be 9 pixels 641it is named first) and thus defines the character cell grid to be 9 pixels
536wide and 15 pixels high. 642wide and 15 pixels high.
537 643
538the second font is just used to add additional unicode characters not in 644The second font is just used to add additional unicode characters not in
539the base font, likewise the third, which is unfortunately non-bold, but 645the base font, likewise the third, which is unfortunately non-bold, but
540the bold version of the font does contain less characters, so this is a 646the bold version of the font does contain less characters, so this is a
541useful supplement. 647useful supplement.
542 648
543The third font is an Xft font with aliasing turned off, and the characters 649The third font is an Xft font with aliasing turned off, and the characters
575xterm style selection. 681xterm style selection.
576 682
577=item B<scrollstyle:> I<mode> 683=item B<scrollstyle:> I<mode>
578 684
579Set scrollbar style to B<rxvt>, B<plain>, B<next> or B<xterm>. B<plain> is 685Set scrollbar style to B<rxvt>, B<plain>, B<next> or B<xterm>. B<plain> is
580the author's favourite.. 686the author's favourite.
581 687
582=item B<title:> I<string> 688=item B<title:> I<string>
583 689
584Set window title string, the default title is the command-line 690Set window title string, the default title is the command-line
585specified after the B<-e> option, if any, otherwise the application 691specified after the B<-e> option, if any, otherwise the application
617 723
618Specify a command pipe for vt100 printer [default I<lpr(1)>]. Use 724Specify a command pipe for vt100 printer [default I<lpr(1)>]. Use
619B<Print> to initiate a screen dump to the printer and B<Ctrl-Print> or 725B<Print> to initiate a screen dump to the printer and B<Ctrl-Print> or
620B<Shift-Print> to include the scrollback as well. 726B<Shift-Print> to include the scrollback as well.
621 727
728The string will be interpreted as if typed into the shell as-is.
729
730Example:
731
732 URxvt*print-pipe: cat > $(TMPDIR=$HOME mktemp urxvt.XXXXXX)
733
734This creates a new file in your home directory with the screen contents
735everytime you hit C<Print>.
736
622=item B<scrollBar:> I<boolean> 737=item B<scrollBar:> I<boolean>
623 738
624B<True>: enable the scrollbar [default]; option B<-sb>. B<False>: 739B<True>: enable the scrollbar [default]; option B<-sb>. B<False>:
625disable the scrollbar; option B<+sb>. 740disable the scrollbar; option B<+sb>.
626 741
645B<False>: do not scroll to bottom when tty receives output; option 760B<False>: do not scroll to bottom when tty receives output; option
646B<+si>. 761B<+si>.
647 762
648=item B<scrollWithBuffer:> I<boolean> 763=item B<scrollWithBuffer:> I<boolean>
649 764
650B<True>: scroll with scrollback buffer when tty recieves new lines (and 765B<True>: scroll with scrollback buffer when tty receives new lines (and
651B<scrollTtyOutput> is False); option B<+sw>. B<False>: do not scroll 766B<scrollTtyOutput> is False); option B<-sw>. B<False>: do not scroll
652with scrollback buffer when tty recieves new lines; option B<-sw>. 767with scrollback buffer when tty recieves new lines; option B<+sw>.
653 768
654=item B<scrollTtyKeypress:> I<boolean> 769=item B<scrollTtyKeypress:> I<boolean>
655 770
656B<True>: scroll to bottom when a non-special key is pressed. Special keys 771B<True>: scroll to bottom when a non-special key is pressed. Special keys
657are those which are intercepted by rxvt-unicode for special handling and 772are those which are intercepted by rxvt-unicode for special handling and
696=item B<mouseWheelScrollPage:> I<boolean> 811=item B<mouseWheelScrollPage:> I<boolean>
697 812
698B<True>: the mouse wheel scrolls a page full. B<False>: the mouse wheel 813B<True>: the mouse wheel scrolls a page full. B<False>: the mouse wheel
699scrolls five lines [default]. 814scrolls five lines [default].
700 815
816=item B<pastableTabs:> I<boolean>
817
818B<True>: store tabs as wide characters. B<False>: interpret tabs as cursor
819movement only; option C<-ptab>.
820
701=item B<cursorBlink:> I<boolean> 821=item B<cursorBlink:> I<boolean>
702 822
703B<True>: blink the cursor. B<False>: do not blink the cursor [default]; 823B<True>: blink the cursor. B<False>: do not blink the cursor [default];
704option B<-bc>. 824option B<-bc>.
705 825
717 837
718Mouse pointer background colour. 838Mouse pointer background colour.
719 839
720=item B<pointerBlankDelay:> I<number> 840=item B<pointerBlankDelay:> I<number>
721 841
722Specifies number of seconds before blanking the pointer [default 2]. 842Specifies number of seconds before blanking the pointer [default 2]. Use a
843large number (e.g. C<987654321>) to effectively disable the timeout.
723 844
724=item B<backspacekey:> I<string> 845=item B<backspacekey:> I<string>
725 846
726The string to send when the backspace key is pressed. If set to B<DEC> 847The string to send when the backspace key is pressed. If set to B<DEC>
727or unset it will send B<Delete> (code 127) or, if shifted, B<Backspace> 848or unset it will send B<Delete> (code 127) or, if shifted, B<Backspace>
749 870
750I<name> of inputMethod to use; option B<-im>. 871I<name> of inputMethod to use; option B<-im>.
751 872
752=item B<imLocale:> I<name> 873=item B<imLocale:> I<name>
753 874
754The locale to use for opening the IM. You can use an LC_CTYPE of e.g. 875The locale to use for opening the IM. You can use an C<LC_CTYPE> of e.g.
755de_DE.UTF-8 for normal text processing but ja_JP.EUC-JP for the input 876C<de_DE.UTF-8> for normal text processing but C<ja_JP.EUC-JP> for the
756extension to be able to input japanese characters while staying in 877input extension to be able to input japanese characters while staying in
757another locale. option B<-imlocale>. 878another locale. option B<-imlocale>.
879
880=item B<imFont:> I<fontset>
881
882Specify the font-set used for XIM styles C<OverTheSpot> or
883C<OffTheSpot>. It must be a standard X font set (XLFD patterns separated
884by commas), i.e. it's not in the same format as the other font lists used
885in @@RXVT_NAME@@. The default will be set-up to chose *any* suitable found
886found, preferably one or two pixels differing in size to the base font.
887option B<-imfont>.
888
889=item B<tripleclickwords:> I<boolean>
890
891Change the meaning of triple-click selection with the left mouse
892button. Instead of selecting a full line it will extend the selection to
893the end of the logical line only. option B<-tcw>.
758 894
759=item B<insecure:> I<boolean> 895=item B<insecure:> I<boolean>
760 896
761Enables "insecure" mode. Rxvt-unicode offers some escape sequences that 897Enables "insecure" mode. Rxvt-unicode offers some escape sequences that
762echo arbitrary strings like the icon name or the locale. This could be 898echo arbitrary strings like the icon name or the locale. This could be
763abused if somebody gets 8-bit-clean access to your display, wether 899abused if somebody gets 8-bit-clean access to your display, whether
764throuh a mail client displaying mail bodies unfiltered or though 900throuh a mail client displaying mail bodies unfiltered or though
765write(1). Therefore, these sequences are disabled by default. (Note 901write(1). Therefore, these sequences are disabled by default. (Note
766that other terminals, including xterm, have these sequences 902that other terminals, including xterm, have these sequences
767enabled by default). You can enable them by setting this boolean 903enabled by default). You can enable them by setting this boolean
768resource or specifying B<-insecure> as an option. At the moment, this 904resource or specifying B<-insecure> as an option. At the moment, this
792scrollback buffer and switching to/from the secondary screen will 928scrollback buffer and switching to/from the secondary screen will
793instead scroll the screen up. 929instead scroll the screen up.
794 930
795=item B<keysym.>I<sym>: I<string> 931=item B<keysym.>I<sym>: I<string>
796 932
797Associate I<string> with keysym I<sym> (B<0xFF00 - 0xFFFF>). It may 933Compile I<frills>: Associate I<string> with keysym I<sym>. The
798contain escape values (\a: bell, \b: backspace, \e, \E: escape, \n: 934intervening resource name B<keysym.> cannot be omitted.
799newline, \r: return, \t: 935
936The format of I<sym> is "I<(modifiers-)key>", where I<modifiers> can be
937any combination of B<ISOLevel3>, B<AppKeypad>, B<Control>, B<NumLock>,
938B<Shift>, B<Meta>, B<Lock>, B<Mod1>, B<Mod2>, B<Mod3>, B<Mod4>, B<Mod5>,
939and the abbreviated B<I>, B<K>, B<C>, B<N>, B<S>, B<M>, B<A>, B<L>, B<1>,
940B<2>, B<3>, B<4>, B<5>.
941
942The B<NumLock>, B<Meta> and B<ISOLevel3> modifiers are usually aliased to
943whatever modifier the NumLock key, Meta/Alt keys or ISO Level3 Shift/AltGr
944keys are being mapped. B<AppKeypad> is a synthetic modifier mapped to the
945current application keymap mode state.
946
947The spellings of I<key> can be obtained by using B<xev>(1) command or
948searching keysym macros from B</usr/X11R6/include/X11/keysymdef.h> and
949omitting the prefix B<XK_>. Alternatively you can specify I<key> by its hex
950keysym value (B<0x0000 - 0xFFFF>). Note that the lookup of I<sym>s is not
951performed in an exact manner; however, the closest match is assured.
952
953I<string> may contain escape values (C<\a>: bell, C<\b>: backspace,
954C<\e>, C<\E>: escape, C<\n>: newline, C<\r>: carriage return, C<\t>: tab,
800tab, \000: octal number) or control characters (^?: delete, ^@: null, 955C<\000>: octal number) or verbatim control characters (C<^?>: delete,
801^A ...) and may enclosed with double quotes so that it can start or end 956C<^@>: null, C<^A> ...) and may be enclosed with double quotes so that it
802with whitespace. The intervening resource name B<keysym.> cannot be 957can start or end with whitespace.
803omitted. This resource is only available when compiled with 958
804KEYSYM_RESOURCE. 959Please note that you need to double the C<\> when using
960C<--enable-xgetdefault>, as X itself does it's own de-escaping (you can
961use C<\033> instead of C<\e> (and so on), which will work with both Xt and
962@@RXVT_NAME@@'s own processing).
963
964You can define a range of keysyms in one shot by providing a I<string>
965with pattern B<list/PREFIX/MIDDLE/SUFFIX>, where the delimeter `/'
966should be a character not used by the strings.
967
968Its usage can be demonstrated by an example:
969
970 URxvt.keysym.M-C-0x61: list|\033<M-C-|abc|>
971
972The above line is equivalent to the following three lines:
973
974 URxvt.keysym.Meta-Control-0x61: \033<M-C-a>
975 URxvt.keysym.Meta-Control-0x62: \033<M-C-b>
976 URxvt.keysym.Meta-Control-0x63: \033<M-C-c>
977
978If I<string> takes the form of C<command:STRING>, the specified B<STRING>
979is interpreted and executed as @@RXVT_NAME@@'s control sequence. For
980example the following means "change the current locale to C<zh_CN.GBK>
981when Control-Meta-c is being pressed":
982
983 URxvt.keysym.M-C-c: command:\033]701;zh_CN.GBK\007
984
985Due the the large number of modifier combinations, a defined key mapping
986will match if at I<at least> the specified identifiers are being set, and
987no other key mappings with those and more bits are being defined. That
988means that defining a key map for C<a> will automatically provide
989definitions for C<Meta-a>, C<Shift-a> and so on, unless some of those are defined
990mappings themselves.
991
992Unfortunately, this will override built-in key mappings. For example
993if you overwrite the C<Insert> key you will disable @@RXVT_NAME@@'s
994C<Shift-Insert> mapping. To re-enable that, you can poke "holes" into the
995user-defined keymap using the C<builtin:> replacement:
996
997 URxvt.keysym.Insert: <my insert key sequence>
998 URxvt.keysym.S-Insert: builtin:
999
1000The first line defines a mapping for C<Insert> and I<any> combination
1001of modifiers. The second line re-establishes the default mapping for
1002C<Shift-Insert>.
1003
1004The following example will map Control-Meta-1 and Control-Meta-2 to
1005the fonts C<suxuseuro> and C<9x15bold>, so you can have some limited
1006font-switching at runtime:
1007
1008 URxvt.keysym.M-C-1: command:\033]50;suxuseuro\007
1009 URxvt.keysym.M-C-2: command:\033]50;9x15bold\007
1010
1011Other things are possible, e.g. resizing (see @@RXVT_NAME@@(7) for more
1012info):
1013
1014 URxvt.keysym.M-C-3: command:\033[8;25;80t
1015 URxvt.keysym.M-C-4: command:\033[8;48;110t
805 1016
806=back 1017=back
807 1018
808=head1 THE SCROLLBAR 1019=head1 THE SCROLLBAR
809 1020
823the normal text selection/insertion, hold either the Shift or the Meta 1034the normal text selection/insertion, hold either the Shift or the Meta
824(Alt) key while performing the desired mouse action. 1035(Alt) key while performing the desired mouse action.
825 1036
826If mouse reporting mode is active, the normal scrollbar actions are 1037If mouse reporting mode is active, the normal scrollbar actions are
827disabled -- on the assumption that we are using a fullscreen 1038disabled -- on the assumption that we are using a fullscreen
828application. Instead, pressing Button1 and Button3 sends B<ESC[6~> 1039application. Instead, pressing Button1 and Button3 sends B<ESC [ 6 ~>
829(Next) and B<ESC[5~> (Prior), respectively. Similarly, clicking on the 1040(Next) and B<ESC [ 5 ~> (Prior), respectively. Similarly, clicking on the
830up and down arrows sends B<ESC[A> (Up) and B<ESC[B> (Down), 1041up and down arrows sends B<ESC [ A> (Up) and B<ESC [ B> (Down),
831respectively. 1042respectively.
832 1043
833=head1 TEXT SELECTION AND INSERTION 1044=head1 TEXT SELECTION AND INSERTION
834 1045
835The behaviour of text selection and insertion mechanism is similar to 1046The behaviour of text selection and insertion mechanism is similar to
837 1048
838=over 4 1049=over 4
839 1050
840=item B<Selection>: 1051=item B<Selection>:
841 1052
842Left click at the beginning of the region, drag to the end of the 1053Left click at the beginning of the region, drag to the end of the region
843region and release; Right click to extend the marked region; Left 1054and release; Right click to extend the marked region; Left double-click
844double-click to select a word; Left triple-click to select the entire 1055to select a word; Left triple-click to select the entire logical line
845line. 1056(which can span multiple screen lines), unless modified by resource
1057B<tripleclickwords>.
1058
1059Starting a selection while pressing the B<Meta> key (or B<Meta+Ctrl> keys)
1060(Compile: I<frills>) will create a rectangular selection instead of a normal
1061one.
846 1062
847=item B<Insertion>: 1063=item B<Insertion>:
848 1064
849Pressing and releasing the Middle mouse button (or B<Shift-Insert>) in 1065Pressing and releasing the Middle mouse button (or B<Shift-Insert>) in
850an B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> window causes the current text selection to be 1066an B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> window causes the current text selection to be
872C<--enable-frills>, the rest is available when rxvt-unicode was compiled 1088C<--enable-frills>, the rest is available when rxvt-unicode was compiled
873with C<--enable-iso14755>. 1089with C<--enable-iso14755>.
874 1090
875=over 4 1091=over 4
876 1092
877=item 5.1: Basic method 1093=item * 5.1: Basic method
878 1094
879This allows you to enter unicode characters using their hexcode. 1095This allows you to enter unicode characters using their hexcode.
880 1096
881Start by pressing and holding both C<Control> and C<Shift>, then enter 1097Start by pressing and holding both C<Control> and C<Shift>, then enter
882hex-digits (between one and six). Releasing C<Control> and C<Shift> will 1098hex-digits (between one and six). Releasing C<Control> and C<Shift> will
889address, which you cannot type. Fortunately, the card has the e-mail 1105address, which you cannot type. Fortunately, the card has the e-mail
890address printed as hexcodes, e.g. C<671d 65e5>. You can enter this easily 1106address printed as hexcodes, e.g. C<671d 65e5>. You can enter this easily
891by pressing C<Control> and C<Shift>, followed by C<6-7-1-D-SPACE-6-5-E-5>, 1107by pressing C<Control> and C<Shift>, followed by C<6-7-1-D-SPACE-6-5-E-5>,
892followed by releasing the modifier keys. 1108followed by releasing the modifier keys.
893 1109
894=item 5.2: Keyboard symbols entry method 1110=item * 5.2: Keyboard symbols entry method
895 1111
896This mode lets you input characters representing the keycap symbols of 1112This mode lets you input characters representing the keycap symbols of
897your keyboard, if representable in the current locale encoding. 1113your keyboard, if representable in the current locale encoding.
898 1114
899Start by pressing C<Control> and C<Shift> together, then releasing 1115Start by pressing C<Control> and C<Shift> together, then releasing
900them. The next special key (cursor keys, home etc.) you enter will not 1116them. The next special key (cursor keys, home etc.) you enter will not
901invoke it's usual function but instead will insert the corresponding 1117invoke it's usual function but instead will insert the corresponding
902keycap symbol. The symbol will only be entered when the key has been 1118keycap symbol. The symbol will only be entered when the key has been
903released, otherwise pressing e.g. C<Shift> would enter the symbol for 1119released, otherwise pressing e.g. C<Shift> would enter the symbol for
904C<ISO Level 2 Switch>, although your intention might have beenm to enter a 1120C<ISO Level 2 Switch>, although your intention might have been to enter a
905reverse tab (Shift-Tab). 1121reverse tab (Shift-Tab).
906 1122
907=item 5.3: Screen-selection entry method 1123=item * 5.3: Screen-selection entry method
908 1124
909While this is implemented already (it's basically the selection 1125While this is implemented already (it's basically the selection
910mechanism), it could be extended by displaying a unicode character map. 1126mechanism), it could be extended by displaying a unicode character map.
911 1127
912=item 5.4: Feedback method for identifying displayed characters for later input 1128=item * 5.4: Feedback method for identifying displayed characters for later input
913 1129
914This method lets you display the unicode character code associated with 1130This method lets you display the unicode character code associated with
915characters already displayed. 1131characters already displayed.
916 1132
917You enter this mode by holding down C<Control> and C<Shift> together, then 1133You enter this mode by holding down C<Control> and C<Shift> together, then
929With respect to conformance, rxvt-unicode is supposed to be compliant to 1145With respect to conformance, rxvt-unicode is supposed to be compliant to
930both scenario A and B of ISO 14755, including part 5.2. 1146both scenario A and B of ISO 14755, including part 5.2.
931 1147
932=head1 LOGIN STAMP 1148=head1 LOGIN STAMP
933 1149
934B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> tries to write an entry into the I<utmp>(5) file so 1150B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> tries to write an entry into the I<utmp>(5) file so that
935that it can be seen via the I<who(1)> command, and can accept messages. 1151it can be seen via the I<who(1)> command, and can accept messages. To
936To allow this feature, B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> must be installed setuid root on 1152allow this feature, B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> may need to be installed setuid root
937some systems. 1153on some systems or setgid to root or to some other group on others.
938 1154
939=head1 COLORS AND GRAPHICS 1155=head1 COLORS AND GRAPHICS
940 1156
941In addition to the default foreground and background colours, 1157In addition to the default foreground and background colours,
942B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> can display up to 16 colours (8 ANSI colours plus 1158B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> can display up to 16 colours (8 ANSI colours plus
983would yield White on Black, while on I<xterm>(1) it would yield Black 1199would yield White on Black, while on I<xterm>(1) it would yield Black
984on White. 1200on White.
985 1201
986=back 1202=back
987 1203
988=head1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) 1204=head1 ENVIRONMENT
1205
1206B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> sets and/or uses the following environment variables:
989 1207
990=over 4 1208=over 4
991 1209
992=item How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using? 1210=item B<TERM>
993 1211
994The version number is displayed with the usage (-h). Also the escape 1212Normally set to C<rxvt-unicode>, unless overwritten at configure time, via
995sequence C<ESC[8n> sets the window title to the version number. 1213resources or on the commandline.
996 1214
997=item When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data? 1215=item B<COLORTERM>
998 1216
999The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available 1217Either C<rxvt>, C<rxvt-xpm>, depending on wether @@RXVT_NAME@@ was
1000as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often arises). 1218compiled with XPM support, and optionally with the added extension
1219C<-mono> to indicate that rxvt-unicode runs on a monochrome screen.
1001 1220
1002The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this can be done 1221=item B<COLORFGBG>
1003like this:
1004 1222
1005 infocmp rxvt-unicode >rxvt.unicode.tic 1223Set to a string of the form C<fg;bg> or C<fg;xpm;bg>, where C<fg> is
1006 scp rxvt-unicode.tic remotesystem: 1224the colour code used as default foreground/text colour (or the string
1007 ssh remotesystem tic rxvt-unicode.tic 1225C<default> to indicate that the default-colour escape sequence is to be
1008 1226used), C<bg> is the colour code used as default background colour (or the
1009... or by installing rxvt-unicode normally on the remote system, 1227string C<default>), and C<xpm> is the string C<default> if @@RXVT_NAME@@
1228was compiled with XPM support. Libraries like C<ncurses> and C<slang> can
1229(and do) use this information to optimize screen output.
1010 1230
1011If you cannot or do not want to do this, then you can simply set 1231=item B<WINDOWID>
1012C<TERM=rxvt> or even C<TERM=xterm>, and live with the small number of
1013problems arising, which includes wrong keymapping, less and different
1014colours and some refresh errors in fullscreen applications. It's a nice
1015quick-and-dirty workaround for rare cases, though.
1016 1232
1017If you always want to do this you can either recompile rxvt-unicode with 1233Set to the (decimal) X Window ID of the @@RXVT_NAME@@ window (the toplevel
1018the desired TERM value or use a resource to set it: 1234window, which usually has subwindows for the scrollbar, the terminal
1235window and so on).
1019 1236
1020 URxvt.termName: rxvt 1237=item B<TERMINFO>
1021 1238
1022=item How can I configure rxvt-unicode so that it looks similar to the original rxvt? 1239Set to the terminfo directory iff @@RXVT_NAME@@ was configured with
1240C<--with-terminfo=PATH>.
1023 1241
1024Felix von Leitner says that these two lines, in your F<.Xdefaults>, will make rxvt-unicode 1242=item B<DISPLAY>
1025behave similar to the original rxvt:
1026 1243
1027 URxvt.font: -misc-fixed-medium-r-semicondensed--13-120-75-75-c-60-iso8859-1 1244Used by @@RXVT_NAME@@ to connect to the display and set to the correct
1028 URxvt.boldFont: -misc-fixed-bold-r-semicondensed--13-120-75-75-c-60-iso8859-1 1245display in it's child processes.
1029 1246
1030=item Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding? 1247=item B<SHELL>
1031 1248
1032=item Unicode does not seem to work? 1249The shell to be used for command execution, defaults to C</bin/sh>.
1033 1250
1034If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but 1251=item B<RXVTPATH>
1035getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output is
1036subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings.
1037 1252
1038Rxvt-unicode must be started with the same C<LC_CTYPE> setting as the 1253The path where @@RXVT_NAME@@ looks for support files such as menu and xpm
1039programs. Often rxvt-unicode is started in the C<C> locale, while the 1254files.
1040login script running within the rxvt-unicode window changes the locale to
1041sth. else, e.h. C<en_GB.UTF-8>. Needless to say, this is not going to work.
1042 1255
1043The best thing is to fix your startup environment, as you will likely run 1256=item B<PATH>
1044into other problems. If nothing works you can try this in your .profile.
1045 1257
1046 printf '\e]701;%s\007' "$LC_CTYPE" 1258Used in the same way as C<RXVTPATH>.
1047 1259
1048If this doesn't work, then maybe you use a C<LC_CTYPE> specification not 1260=item B<RXVT_SOCKET>
1049supported on your systems. Some systems have a C<locale> comamnd which
1050displays this. If it displays sth. like:
1051 1261
1052 locale: Cannot set LC_CTYPE to default locale: ... 1262The unix domain socket path used by @@RXVT_NAME@@c(1) and
1263@@RXVT_NAME@@d(1).
1053 1264
1054Then the locale you specified is not supported on your system. 1265Default F<<< $HOME/.rxvt-unicode-I<< <nodename >> >>>.
1055 1266
1056If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then 1267=item B<HOME>
1057you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't
1058support locales :(
1059 1268
1060=item Why do the characters look ugly? 1269Used to locate the default directory for the unix domain socket for
1270daemon communications and to locate various resource files (such as
1271C<.Xdefaults>)
1061 1272
1062=item How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts? 1273=item B<XAPPLRESDIR>
1063 1274
1064Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is 1275Directory where various X resource files are being located.
1065fine. Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of
1066your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want
1067to display.
1068 1276
1069B<rxvt-unicode> makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement 1277=item B<XENVIRONMENT>
1070font. Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks
1071bad. Many fonts have totally strange characters that don't resemble the
1072correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial intelligence
1073to detetc that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe the font that
1074the characters it contains indeed look correct.
1075 1278
1076In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list, 1279If set and accessible, gives the name of a X resource file to be loaded by
1077e.g.:
1078
1079 @@RXVT_NAME@@ -fn basefont,font2,font3...
1080
1081When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base
1082font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the
1083next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this
1084search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X-server.
1085
1086The only limitation is that all the fonts must not be larger than the base
1087font, as the base font defines the principial cell size, which must be the
1088same due to the way terminals work.
1089
1090=item Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?
1091
1092This is because there is a difference between script and language --
1093rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output
1094is, as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode
1095first sees a japanese character, it might choose a japanese font for
1096it. Subseqzuent japanese characters will take that font. Now, many chinese
1097characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first
1098non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese font
1099-- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font for
1100japanese characters that are also chinese.
1101
1102The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font
1103list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as
1104a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font
1105first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first.
1106
1107In the future it might be possible to switch preferences at runtime (the
1108internal data structure has no problem with using different fonts for
1109the same character at the same time, but no interface for this has been
1110designed yet).
1111
1112=item How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?
1113
1114First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminfo
1115(C<urxvt>), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then make sure
1116you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise rxvt-unicode
1117might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
1118
1119 URxvt*colorBD: white
1120 URxvt*colorIT: green
1121
1122=item Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?
1123
1124For some unexplainable reason, some programs (i.e. irssi) assume a very
1125weird colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the
1126standard 8 colours (rxvt-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of
1127course, to fix these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very
1128good reasons.
1129
1130In the meantime, you can either edit your C<urxvt> terminfo definition to
1131only claim 8 colour support or use C<TERM=rxvt>, which will fix colours
1132but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
1133
1134=item How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?
1135
1136=item Is there an option to switch encodings?
1137
1138Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
1139specific "utf-8" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know about
1140UTF-8 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
1141
1142The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for selecting
1143the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating this to all
1144applications so everybody agrees on character properties such as width and
1145code number. This mechanism is the I<locale>.
1146
1147Rxvt-unicode uses the C<LC_CTYPE> locale category to select encoding. All
1148programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
1149interpretation of characters.
1150
1151Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
1152is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
1153
1154On most systems, the content of the C<LC_CTYPE> environment variable
1155contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
1156locale. Common names for locales are C<en_US.UTF-8>, C<de_DE.ISO-8859-15>,
1157C<ja_JP.EUC-JP>, i.e. C<language_country.encoding>, but other forms
1158(i.e. C<de> or C<german>) are also common.
1159
1160Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for
1161the encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings,
1162i.e. C<de_DE.UTF-8> and C<ja_JP.UTF-8> are the same for rxvt-unicode.
1163
1164If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
1165rxvt-unicode with the correct C<LC_CTYPE> category.
1166
1167=item Can I switch locales at runtime?
1168
1169Yes, using an escape sequence. Try sth. like this, which sets
1170rxvt-unicode's idea of C<LC_CTYPE>.
1171
1172 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
1173
1174See also the previous question.
1175
1176Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in one
1177locale (e.g. C<de_DE.UTF-8>) but some programs don't support UTF-8. For
1178example, I use this script to start C<xjdic>, which first switches to a
1179locale supported by xjdic and back later:
1180
1181 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
1182 xjdic -js
1183 printf '\e]701;%s\007' de_DE.UTF-8
1184
1185=item Can I switch the fonts at runtime?
1186
1187Yes, using an escape sequence. Try sth. like this, which has the same
1188effect as using the C<-fn> switch, and takes effect immediately:
1189
1190 printf '\e]50;%s\007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
1191
1192This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
1193japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
1194japanese fonts would only be in your way.
1195
1196You can think of this as a kind of manual ISO-2022 switching.
1197
1198=item Why do italic characters look as if clipped?
1199
1200Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
1201example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font C<xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
1202Mono> completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround is to enable
1203freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
1204
1205 URxvt*italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
1206 URxvt*boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
1207
1208=item My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?
1209
1210You cna specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of the
1211terminal, using the resource C<imlocale>:
1212
1213 URxvt*imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
1214
1215Now you can start your terminal with C<LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF-8> and still
1216use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able to
1217input characters outside C<EUC-JP> in a normal way then, as your input
1218method limits you.
1219
1220=item Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?
1221
1222Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for sth. you
1223don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings that
1224you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by design,
1225when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be loaded
1226accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your characters.
1227
1228Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
1229scrollback buffers: Without C<--enable-unicode3>, rxvt-unicode will use
12306 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
1231kilobyte per line. A scorllback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if full)
1232use 10 Megabytes of memory. With C<--enable-unicode3> it gets worse, as
1233rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
1234
1235=item Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?
1236
1237Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as
1238it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
1239antialiasing (by appending C<:antialiasing=false>), which saves lots of
1240memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
1241
1242=item Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?
1243
1244Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
1245fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
1246fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
1247antialiaisng disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
1248look best that way.
1249
1250If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
1251
1252=item Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works.
1253
1254Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing
1255some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've
1256heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A
1257quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
1258depressed. See @@RXVT_NAME@@(7)
1259
1260=item What's with this bold/blink stuff?
1261
1262If no bold colour is set via C<colorBD:>, bold will invert text using the
1263standard foreground colour.
1264
1265For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the
1266text blink when compiled with C<--enable-blinking>. with standard
1267colours. Without C<--enable-blinking>, the blink attribute will be
1268ignored.
1269
1270On ANSI colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
1271foreground/background colors.
1272
1273color0-7 are the low-intensity colors.
1274
1275color8-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
1276
1277=item I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?
1278
1279You can change the screen colors at run-time using F<~/.Xdefaults>
1280resources (or as long-options).
1281
1282Here are values that are supposed to resemble a VGA screen,
1283including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
1284
1285 Rxvt*color0: #000000
1286 Rxvt*color1: #A80000
1287 Rxvt*color2: #00A800
1288 Rxvt*color3: #A8A800
1289 Rxvt*color4: #0000A8
1290 Rxvt*color5: #A800A8
1291 Rxvt*color6: #00A8A8
1292 Rxvt*color7: #A8A8A8
1293
1294 Rxvt*color8: #000054
1295 Rxvt*color9: #FF0054
1296 Rxvt*color10: #00FF54
1297 Rxvt*color11: #FFFF54
1298 Rxvt*color12: #0000FF
1299 Rxvt*color13: #FF00FF
1300 Rxvt*color14: #00FFFF
1301 Rxvt*color15: #FFFFFF
1302
1303=item What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?
1304
1305Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the
1306BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following
1307question) there are two standard values that can be used for
1308Backspace: C<^H> and C<^?>.
1309
1310Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the debian
1311policy of using C<^?> when unsure, because it's the one only only correct
1312choice :).
1313
1314Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the value
1315of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode wasn't
1316started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell), then the
1317system value of `erase', which corresponds to CERASE in <termios.h>, will
1318be used (which may not be the same as your stty setting).
1319
1320For starting a new rxvt-unicode:
1321
1322 # use Backspace = ^H
1323 $ stty erase ^H
1324 $ @@RXVT_NAME@@ 1280@@RXVT_NAME@@.
1325
1326 # use Backspace = ^?
1327 $ stty erase ^?
1328 $ @@RXVT_NAME@@
1329
1330Toggle with "ESC[36h" / "ESC[36l" as documented in @@RXVT_NAME@@(7).
1331
1332For an existing rxvt-unicode:
1333
1334 # use Backspace = ^H
1335 $ stty erase ^H
1336 $ echo -n "^[[36h"
1337
1338 # use Backspace = ^?
1339 $ stty erase ^?
1340 $ echo -n "^[[36l"
1341
1342This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
1343if you use Backspace = C<^H>, make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
1344properly reflects that.
1345
1346The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace problem.
1347To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the Delete
1348key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for Execute
1349(ESC[3~) and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
1350
1351Some other Backspace problems:
1352
1353some editors use termcap/terminfo,
1354some editors (vim I'm told) expect Backspace = ^H,
1355GNU Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
1356
1357Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
1358
1359=item I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?
1360
1361There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
1362you have run "configure" with the C<--disable-resources> option you can
1363use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with keysym
13640xFF00 - 0xFFFF (function, cursor keys, etc).
1365
1366Here's an example for a tn3270 session started using `@@RXVT_NAME@@ -name tn3270'
1367
1368 !# ----- special uses ------:
1369 ! tn3270 login, remap function and arrow keys.
1370 tn3270*font: *clean-bold-*-*--15-*
1371
1372 ! keysym - used by rxvt only
1373 ! Delete - ^D
1374 tn3270*keysym.0xFFFF: \004
1375
1376 ! Home - ^A
1377 tn3270*keysym.0xFF50: \001
1378 ! Left - ^B
1379 tn3270*keysym.0xFF51: \002
1380 ! Up - ^P
1381 tn3270*keysym.0xFF52: \020
1382 ! Right - ^F
1383 tn3270*keysym.0xFF53: \006
1384 ! Down - ^N
1385 tn3270*keysym.0xFF54: \016
1386 ! End - ^E
1387 tn3270*keysym.0xFF57: \005
1388
1389 ! F1 - F12
1390 tn3270*keysym.0xFFBE: \e1
1391 tn3270*keysym.0xFFBF: \e2
1392 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC0: \e3
1393 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC1: \e4
1394 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC2: \e5
1395 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC3: \e6
1396 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC4: \e7
1397 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC5: \e8
1398 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC6: \e9
1399 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC7: \e0
1400 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC8: \e-
1401 tn3270*keysym.0xFFC9: \e=
1402
1403 ! map Prior/Next to F7/F8
1404 tn3270*keysym.0xFF55: \e7
1405 tn3270*keysym.0xFF56: \e8
1406
1407=item I'm using keyboard model XXX that has extra Prior/Next/Insert keys.
1408How do I make use of them? For example, the Sun Keyboard type 4
1409has the following mappings that rxvt-unicode doesn't recognize.
1410
1411 KP_Insert == Insert
1412 F22 == Print
1413 F27 == Home
1414 F29 == Prior
1415 F33 == End
1416 F35 == Next
1417
1418Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accomodate all the various possible keyboard
1419mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the keys as required for
1420your particular machine.
1421
1422=item How do I distinguish if I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm?
1423I need this to decide about setting colors etc.
1424
1425rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable "COLORTERM", so you can
1426check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, JED, slrn,
1427Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide whether or
1428not to use color.
1429
1430=item How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?
1431
1432If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with DISPLAY_IS_IP and ahve enabled
1433insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
1434snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
1435wasn't also compiled with ESCZ_ANSWER (as assumed in these snippets) then
1436the COLORTERM variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from a
1437regular xterm.
1438
1439Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
1440snippets:
1441
1442 # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
1443 [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
1444 if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
1445 stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
1446 echo -n '^[Z'
1447 read term_id
1448 stty icanon echo
1449 if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
1450 echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
1451 read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
1452 fi
1453 fi
1454
1455=item How do I compile the manual pages for myself?
1456
1457You need to have a recent version of perl installed as F</usr/bin/perl>,
1458one that comes with F<pod2man>, F<pod2text> and F<pod2html>. Then go to
1459the doc subdirectory and enter C<make alldoc>.
1460 1281
1461=back 1282=back
1462 1283
1463=head1 ENVIRONMENT
1464
1465B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> sets the environment variables B<TERM>, B<COLORTERM>
1466and B<COLORFGBG>. The environment variable B<WINDOWID> is set to the X
1467window id number of the B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> window and it also uses and
1468sets the environment variable B<DISPLAY> to specify which display
1469terminal to use. B<@@RXVT_NAME@@> uses the environment variables
1470B<RXVTPATH> and B<PATH> to find XPM files.
1471
1472=head1 FILES 1284=head1 FILES
1473 1285
1474=over 4 1286=over 4
1475 1287
1476=item B</etc/utmp>
1477
1478System file for login records.
1479
1480=item B</usr/lib/X11/rgb.txt> 1288=item B</usr/lib/X11/rgb.txt>
1481 1289
1482Color names. 1290Color names.
1483 1291
1484=back 1292=back
1485 1293
1486=head1 SEE ALSO 1294=head1 SEE ALSO
1487 1295
1488@@RXVT_NAME@@(7), xterm(1), sh(1), resize(1), X(1), pty(4), tty(4), utmp(5) 1296@@RXVT_NAME@@(7), @@RXVT_NAME@@c(1), @@RXVT_NAME@@d(1), xterm(1), sh(1), resize(1), X(1), pty(4), tty(4), utmp(5)
1489 1297
1490=head1 BUGS 1298=head1 BUGS
1491 1299
1492Check the BUGS file for an up-to-date list. 1300Check the BUGS file for an up-to-date list.
1493 1301
1499 1307
1500=over 4 1308=over 4
1501 1309
1502=item Project Coordinator 1310=item Project Coordinator
1503 1311
1504@@RXVT_MAINT@@ L<@@RXVT_MAINTEMAIL@@> 1312Marc A. Lehmann L<< <rxvt-unicode@schmorp.de> >>
1505 1313
1506=item Web page maintainter 1314L<http://software.schmorp.de/#rxvt-unicode>
1507
1508@@RXVT_WEBMAINT@@ L<@@RXVT_WEBMAINTEMAIL@@>
1509
1510L<@@RXVT_WEBPAGE@@>
1511 1315
1512=back 1316=back
1513 1317
1514=head1 AUTHORS 1318=head1 AUTHORS
1515 1319
1540=item Geoff Wing L<< <gcw@pobox.com> >> 1344=item Geoff Wing L<< <gcw@pobox.com> >>
1541 1345
1542Rewrote screen display and text selection routines. Project Coordinator 1346Rewrote screen display and text selection routines. Project Coordinator
1543(changes.txt 2.4.6 - rxvt-unicode) 1347(changes.txt 2.4.6 - rxvt-unicode)
1544 1348
1545=item Marc Alexander Lehmann L<< <rxvt@schmorp.de> >> 1349=item Marc Alexander Lehmann L<< <rxvt-unicode@schmorp.de> >>
1546 1350
1547Forked rxvt-unicode, rewrote most of the display code and internal 1351Forked rxvt-unicode, rewrote most of the display code and internal
1548character handling to store text in unicode, improve xterm 1352character handling to store text in unicode, improve xterm
1549compatibility and apply numerous other bugfixes and extensions. 1353compatibility and apply numerous other bugfixes and extensions.
1550 1354

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