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153This document contains the \s-1FAQ\s0, the \s-1RXVT\s0 \s-1TECHNICAL\s0 \s-1REFERENCE\s0 documenting 153This document contains the \s-1FAQ\s0, the \s-1RXVT\s0 \s-1TECHNICAL\s0 \s-1REFERENCE\s0 documenting
154all escape sequences, and other background information. 154all escape sequences, and other background information.
155.PP 155.PP
156The newest version of this document is also available on the World Wide Web at 156The newest version of this document is also available on the World Wide Web at
157<http://cvs.schmorp.de/browse/*checkout*/rxvt\-unicode/doc/rxvt.7.html>. 157<http://cvs.schmorp.de/browse/*checkout*/rxvt\-unicode/doc/rxvt.7.html>.
158.SH "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" 158.SH "RXVT\-UNICODE/URXVT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS"
159.IX Header "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" 159.IX Header "RXVT-UNICODE/URXVT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS"
160.IP "The new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?" 4 160.Sh "Meta, Features & Commandline Issues"
161.IX Item "The new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?" 161.IX Subsection "Meta, Features & Commandline Issues"
162Yes. For example, if you want to select alphanumeric words, you can use 162\fIMy question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?\fR
163the following resource: 163.IX Subsection "My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?"
164.Sp 164.PP
165Before sending me mail, you could go to \s-1IRC:\s0 \f(CW\*(C`irc.freenode.net\*(C'\fR,
166channel \f(CW\*(C`#rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might be
167interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not FAQs :).
168.PP
169\fIDoes it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt\-unicode?\fR
170.IX Subsection "Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt-unicode?"
171.PP
172Beginning with version 7.3, there is a perl extension that implements a
173simple tabbed terminal. It is installed by default, so any of these should
174give you tabs:
175.PP
165.Vb 1 176.Vb 1
166\& URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([[:word:]]+) 177\& @@URXVT_NAME@@ -pe tabbed
167.Ve 178.Ve
168.Sp 179.PP
169If you click more than twice, the selection will be extended
170more and more.
171.Sp
172To get a selection that is very similar to the old code, try this pattern:
173.Sp
174.Vb 1 180.Vb 1
175\& URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([^"&'()*,;<=>?@[\e\e\e\e]^`{|})]+) 181\& URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,tabbed
176.Ve 182.Ve
177.Sp 183.PP
178Please also note that the \fILeftClick Shift-LeftClik\fR combination also 184It will also work fine with tabbing functionality of many window managers
179selects words like the old code. 185or similar tabbing programs, and its embedding-features allow it to be
180.IP "I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?" 4 186embedded into other programs, as witnessed by \fIdoc/rxvt\-tabbed\fR or
181.IX Item "I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?" 187the upcoming \f(CW\*(C`Gtk2::URxvt\*(C'\fR perl module, which features a tabbed urxvt
182You can disable the perl extension completely by setting the 188(murxvt) terminal as an example embedding application.
183\&\fBperl-ext-common\fR resource to the empty string, which also keeps 189.PP
184rxvt-unicode from initialising perl, saving memory. 190\fIHow do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?\fR
185.Sp 191.IX Subsection "How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?"
186If you only want to disable specific features, you first have to 192.PP
187identify which perl extension is responsible. For this, read the section 193The version number is displayed with the usage (\-h). Also the escape
188\&\fB\s-1PREPACKAGED\s0 \s-1EXTENSIONS\s0\fR in the @@RXVT_NAME@@\fIperl\fR\|(3) manpage. For 194sequence \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 8 n\*(C'\fR sets the window title to the version number. When
189example, to disable the \fBselection-popup\fR and \fBoption-popup\fR, specify 195using the @@URXVT_NAME@@c client, the version displayed is that of the
190this \fBperl-ext-common\fR resource: 196daemon.
191.Sp 197.PP
198\fIRxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?\fR
199.IX Subsection "Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?"
200.PP
201Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for something you
202don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings that
203you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by design,
204when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be loaded
205accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your characters.
206.PP
207Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
208scrollback buffers: Without \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-unicode3\*(C'\fR, rxvt-unicode will use
2096 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
210kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if full)
211use 10 Megabytes of memory. With \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-unicode3\*(C'\fR it gets worse, as
212rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
213.PP
214\fIHow can I start @@URXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?\fR
215.IX Subsection "How can I start @@URXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?"
216.PP
217Try \f(CW\*(C`@@URXVT_NAME@@d \-f \-o\*(C'\fR, which tells @@URXVT_NAME@@d to open the
218display, create the listening socket and then fork.
219.PP
220\fIHow do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc.\fR
221.IX Subsection "How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc."
222.PP
223The original rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable \*(L"\s-1COLORTERM\s0\*(R",
224so you can check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, \s-1JED\s0,
225slrn, Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide
226whether or not to use color.
227.PP
228\fIHow do I set the correct, full \s-1IP\s0 address for the \s-1DISPLAY\s0 variable?\fR
229.IX Subsection "How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?"
230.PP
231If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with \s-1DISPLAY_IS_IP\s0 and have enabled
232insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
233snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
234wasn't also compiled with \s-1ESCZ_ANSWER\s0 (as assumed in these snippets) then
235the \s-1COLORTERM\s0 variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from a
236regular xterm.
237.PP
238Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
239snippets:
240.PP
192.Vb 1 241.Vb 12
193\& URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-selection-popup,-option-popup 242\& # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
243\& [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
244\& if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
245\& stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
246\& echo -n '^[Z'
247\& read term_id
248\& stty icanon echo
249\& if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
250\& echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
251\& read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
252\& fi
253\& fi
194.Ve 254.Ve
195.Sp 255.PP
196This will keep the default extensions, but disable the two popup 256\fIHow do I compile the manual pages on my own?\fR
197extensions. Some extensions can also be configured, for example, 257.IX Subsection "How do I compile the manual pages on my own?"
198scrollback search mode is triggered by \fBM\-s\fR. You can move it to any 258.PP
199other combination either by setting the \fBsearchable-scrollback\fR resource: 259You need to have a recent version of perl installed as \fI/usr/bin/perl\fR,
200.Sp 260one that comes with \fIpod2man\fR, \fIpod2text\fR and \fIpod2html\fR. Then go to
201.Vb 1 261the doc subdirectory and enter \f(CW\*(C`make alldoc\*(C'\fR.
202\& URxvt.searchable-scrollback: CM-s 262.PP
203.Ve
204.IP "Why doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?" 4
205.IX Item "Why doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?"
206Well, why, indeed? It does, in a way very similar to other X
207applications. Most importantly, this means that if you or your \s-1OS\s0 loads
208resources into the X display (the right way to do it), rxvt-unicode will
209ignore any resource files in your home directory. It will only read
210\&\fI$HOME/.Xdefaults\fR when no resources are attached to the display.
211.Sp
212If you have or use an \fI$HOME/.Xresources\fR file, chances are that
213resources are loaded into your X\-server. In this case, you have to
214re-login after every change (or run \fIxrdb \-merge \f(CI$HOME\fI/.Xresources\fR).
215.Sp
216Also consider the form resources have to use:
217.Sp
218.Vb 1
219\& URxvt.resource: value
220.Ve
221.Sp
222If you want to use another form (there are lots of different ways of
223specifying resources), make sure you understand wether and why it
224works. If unsure, use the form above.
225.IP "I can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?" 4
226.IX Item "I can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?"
227First of all, transparency isn't officially supported in rxvt\-unicode, so
228you are mostly on your own. Do not bug the author about it (but you may
229bug everybody else). Also, if you can't get it working consider it a rite
230of passage: ... and you failed.
231.Sp
232Here are four ways to get transparency. \fBDo\fR read the manpage and option
233descriptions for the programs mentioned and rxvt\-unicode. Really, do it!
234.Sp
2351. Use inheritPixmap:
236.Sp
237.Vb 2
238\& Esetroot wallpaper.jpg
239\& @@RXVT_NAME@@ -ip -tint red -sh 40
240.Ve
241.Sp
242That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack transparency and tinting
243support, or you are unable to read.
244.Sp
2452. Use a simple pixmap and emulate pseudo\-transparency. This enables you
246to use effects other than tinting and shading: Just shade/tint/whatever
247your picture with gimp:
248.Sp
249.Vb 2
250\& convert wallpaper.jpg -blur 20x20 -modulate 30 background.xpm
251\& @@RXVT_NAME@@ -pixmap background.xpm -pe automove-background
252.Ve
253.Sp
254That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack \s-1XPM\s0 and Perl support, or you
255are unable to read.
256.Sp
2573. Use an \s-1ARGB\s0 visual:
258.Sp
259.Vb 1
260\& @@RXVT_NAME@@ -depth 32 -fg grey90 -bg rgba:0000/0000/4444/cccc
261.Ve
262.Sp
263This requires \s-1XFT\s0 support, and the support of your X\-server. If that
264doesn't work for you, blame Xorg and Keith Packard. \s-1ARGB\s0 visuals aren't
265there yet, no matter what they claim. Rxvt-Unicode contains the neccessary
266bugfixes and workarounds for Xft and Xlib to make it work, but that
267doesn't mean that your \s-1WM\s0 has the required kludges in place.
268.Sp
2694. Use xcompmgr and let it do the job:
270.Sp
271.Vb 2
272\& xprop -frame -f _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 32c \e
273\& -set _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 0xc0000000
274.Ve
275.Sp
276Then click on a window you want to make transparent. Replace \f(CW0xc0000000\fR
277by other values to change the degree of opacity. If it doesn't work and
278your server crashes, you got to keep the pieces.
279.IP "Isn't rxvt supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?" 4 263\fIIsn't rxvt-unicode supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?\fR
280.IX Item "Isn't rxvt supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?" 264.IX Subsection "Isn't rxvt-unicode supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?"
265.PP
281I often get asked about this, and I think, no, they didn't cause extra 266I often get asked about this, and I think, no, they didn't cause extra
282bloat. If you compare a minimal rxvt and a minimal urxvt, you can see 267bloat. If you compare a minimal rxvt and a minimal urxvt, you can see
283that the urxvt binary is larger (due to some encoding tables always being 268that the urxvt binary is larger (due to some encoding tables always being
284compiled in), but it actually uses less memory (\s-1RSS\s0) after startup. Even 269compiled in), but it actually uses less memory (\s-1RSS\s0) after startup. Even
285with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-everything\*(C'\fR, this comparison is a bit unfair, as many 270with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-everything\*(C'\fR, this comparison is a bit unfair, as many
286features unique to urxvt (locale, encoding conversion, iso14755 etc.) are 271features unique to urxvt (locale, encoding conversion, iso14755 etc.) are
287already in use in this mode. 272already in use in this mode.
288.Sp 273.PP
289.Vb 3 274.Vb 3
290\& text data bss drs rss filename 275\& text data bss drs rss filename
291\& 98398 1664 24 15695 1824 rxvt --disable-everything 276\& 98398 1664 24 15695 1824 rxvt --disable-everything
292\& 188985 9048 66616 18222 1788 urxvt --disable-everything 277\& 188985 9048 66616 18222 1788 urxvt --disable-everything
293.Ve 278.Ve
294.Sp 279.PP
295When you \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-everything\*(C'\fR (which _is_ unfair, as this involves xft 280When you \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-everything\*(C'\fR (which \fIis\fR unfair, as this involves xft
296and full locale/XIM support which are quite bloaty inside libX11 and my 281and full locale/XIM support which are quite bloaty inside libX11 and my
297libc), the two diverge, but not unreasnobaly so. 282libc), the two diverge, but not unreasnobaly so.
298.Sp 283.PP
299.Vb 3 284.Vb 3
300\& text data bss drs rss filename 285\& text data bss drs rss filename
301\& 163431 2152 24 20123 2060 rxvt --enable-everything 286\& 163431 2152 24 20123 2060 rxvt --enable-everything
302\& 1035683 49680 66648 29096 3680 urxvt --enable-everything 287\& 1035683 49680 66648 29096 3680 urxvt --enable-everything
303.Ve 288.Ve
304.Sp 289.PP
305The very large size of the text section is explained by the east-asian 290The very large size of the text section is explained by the east-asian
306encoding tables, which, if unused, take up disk space but nothing else 291encoding tables, which, if unused, take up disk space but nothing else
307and can be compiled out unless you rely on X11 core fonts that use those 292and can be compiled out unless you rely on X11 core fonts that use those
308encodings. The \s-1BSS\s0 size comes from the 64k emergency buffer that my c++ 293encodings. The \s-1BSS\s0 size comes from the 64k emergency buffer that my c++
309compiler allocates (but of course doesn't use unless you are out of 294compiler allocates (but of course doesn't use unless you are out of
310memory). Also, using an xft font instead of a core font immediately adds a 295memory). Also, using an xft font instead of a core font immediately adds a
311few megabytes of \s-1RSS\s0. Xft indeed is responsible for a lot of \s-1RSS\s0 even when 296few megabytes of \s-1RSS\s0. Xft indeed is responsible for a lot of \s-1RSS\s0 even when
312not used. 297not used.
313.Sp 298.PP
314Of course, due to every character using two or four bytes instead of one, 299Of course, due to every character using two or four bytes instead of one,
315a large scrollback buffer will ultimately make rxvt-unicode use more 300a large scrollback buffer will ultimately make rxvt-unicode use more
316memory. 301memory.
317.Sp 302.PP
318Compared to e.g. Eterm (5112k), aterm (3132k) and xterm (4680k), this 303Compared to e.g. Eterm (5112k), aterm (3132k) and xterm (4680k), this
319still fares rather well. And compared to some monsters like gnome-terminal 304still fares rather well. And compared to some monsters like gnome-terminal
320(21152k + extra 4204k in separate processes) or konsole (22200k + extra 305(21152k + extra 4204k in separate processes) or konsole (22200k + extra
32143180k in daemons that stay around after exit, plus half a minute of 30643180k in daemons that stay around after exit, plus half a minute of
322startup time, including the hundreds of warnings it spits out), it fares 307startup time, including the hundreds of warnings it spits out), it fares
323extremely well *g*. 308extremely well *g*.
309.PP
324.IP "Why \*(C+, isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?" 4 310\fIWhy \*(C+, isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?\fR
325.IX Item "Why , isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?" 311.IX Subsection "Why , isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?"
312.PP
326Is this a question? :) It comes up very often. The simple answer is: I had 313Is this a question? :) It comes up very often. The simple answer is: I had
327to write it, and \*(C+ allowed me to write and maintain it in a fraction 314to write it, and \*(C+ allowed me to write and maintain it in a fraction
328of the time and effort (which is a scarce resource for me). Put even 315of the time and effort (which is a scarce resource for me). Put even
329shorter: It simply wouldn't exist without \*(C+. 316shorter: It simply wouldn't exist without \*(C+.
330.Sp 317.PP
331My personal stance on this is that \*(C+ is less portable than C, but in 318My personal stance on this is that \*(C+ is less portable than C, but in
332the case of rxvt-unicode this hardly matters, as its portability limits 319the case of rxvt-unicode this hardly matters, as its portability limits
333are defined by things like X11, pseudo terminals, locale support and unix 320are defined by things like X11, pseudo terminals, locale support and unix
334domain sockets, which are all less portable than \*(C+ itself. 321domain sockets, which are all less portable than \*(C+ itself.
335.Sp 322.PP
336Regarding the bloat, see the above question: It's easy to write programs 323Regarding the bloat, see the above question: It's easy to write programs
337in C that use gobs of memory, an certainly possible to write programs in 324in C that use gobs of memory, an certainly possible to write programs in
338\&\*(C+ that don't. \*(C+ also often comes with large libraries, but this is 325\&\*(C+ that don't. \*(C+ also often comes with large libraries, but this is
339not necessarily the case with \s-1GCC\s0. Here is what rxvt links against on my 326not necessarily the case with \s-1GCC\s0. Here is what rxvt links against on my
340system with a minimal config: 327system with a minimal config:
341.Sp 328.PP
342.Vb 4 329.Vb 4
343\& libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000) 330\& libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000)
344\& libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaadde000) 331\& libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaadde000)
345\& libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab01d000) 332\& libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab01d000)
346\& /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000) 333\& /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000)
347.Ve 334.Ve
348.Sp 335.PP
349And here is rxvt\-unicode: 336And here is rxvt\-unicode:
350.Sp 337.PP
351.Vb 5 338.Vb 5
352\& libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000) 339\& libX11.so.6 => /usr/X11R6/lib/libX11.so.6 (0x00002aaaaabc3000)
353\& libgcc_s.so.1 => /lib/libgcc_s.so.1 (0x00002aaaaada2000) 340\& libgcc_s.so.1 => /lib/libgcc_s.so.1 (0x00002aaaaada2000)
354\& libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaaeb0000) 341\& libc.so.6 => /lib/libc.so.6 (0x00002aaaaaeb0000)
355\& libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab0ee000) 342\& libdl.so.2 => /lib/libdl.so.2 (0x00002aaaab0ee000)
356\& /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000) 343\& /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000)
357.Ve 344.Ve
358.Sp 345.PP
359No large bloated libraries (of course, none were linked in statically), 346No large bloated libraries (of course, none were linked in statically),
360except maybe libX11 :) 347except maybe libX11 :)
361.IP "Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt\-unicode?" 4 348.Sh "Rendering, Font & Look and Feel Issues"
362.IX Item "Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt-unicode?" 349.IX Subsection "Rendering, Font & Look and Feel Issues"
363Beginning with version 7.3, there is a perl extension that implements a 350\fII can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?\fR
364simple tabbed terminal. It is installed by default, so any of these should 351.IX Subsection "I can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?"
365give you tabs: 352.PP
366.Sp 353First of all, transparency isn't officially supported in rxvt\-unicode, so
354you are mostly on your own. Do not bug the author about it (but you may
355bug everybody else). Also, if you can't get it working consider it a rite
356of passage: ... and you failed.
357.PP
358Here are four ways to get transparency. \fBDo\fR read the manpage and option
359descriptions for the programs mentioned and rxvt\-unicode. Really, do it!
360.PP
3611. Use inheritPixmap:
362.PP
363.Vb 2
364\& Esetroot wallpaper.jpg
365\& @@URXVT_NAME@@ -ip -tint red -sh 40
366.Ve
367.PP
368That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack transparency and tinting
369support, or you are unable to read.
370.PP
3712. Use a simple pixmap and emulate pseudo\-transparency. This enables you
372to use effects other than tinting and shading: Just shade/tint/whatever
373your picture with gimp or any other tool:
374.PP
375.Vb 2
376\& convert wallpaper.jpg -blur 20x20 -modulate 30 background.xpm
377\& @@URXVT_NAME@@ -pixmap background.xpm -pe automove-background
378.Ve
379.PP
380That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack \s-1XPM\s0 and Perl support, or you
381are unable to read.
382.PP
3833. Use an \s-1ARGB\s0 visual:
384.PP
367.Vb 1 385.Vb 1
368\& @@RXVT_NAME@@ -pe tabbed 386\& @@URXVT_NAME@@ -depth 32 -fg grey90 -bg rgba:0000/0000/4444/cccc
369.Ve 387.Ve
370.Sp 388.PP
389This requires \s-1XFT\s0 support, and the support of your X\-server. If that
390doesn't work for you, blame Xorg and Keith Packard. \s-1ARGB\s0 visuals aren't
391there yet, no matter what they claim. Rxvt-Unicode contains the neccessary
392bugfixes and workarounds for Xft and Xlib to make it work, but that
393doesn't mean that your \s-1WM\s0 has the required kludges in place.
394.PP
3954. Use xcompmgr and let it do the job:
396.PP
397.Vb 2
398\& xprop -frame -f _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 32c \e
399\& -set _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 0xc0000000
400.Ve
401.PP
402Then click on a window you want to make transparent. Replace \f(CW0xc0000000\fR
403by other values to change the degree of opacity. If it doesn't work and
404your server crashes, you got to keep the pieces.
405.PP
406\fIWhy do some chinese characters look so different than others?\fR
407.IX Subsection "Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?"
408.PP
409This is because there is a difference between script and language \*(--
410rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output is,
411as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode first
412sees a japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese font for
413display. Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. Now, many
414chinese characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first
415non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese font
416\&\*(-- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font for
417chinese characters that are also in the japanese font.
418.PP
419The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font
420list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as
421a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font
422first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first.
423.PP
424In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at
425runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using different
426fonts for the same character at the same time, but no interface for this
427has been designed yet).
428.PP
429Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see \*(L"Can I switch the fonts at runtime?\*(R" later in this document).
430.PP
431\fIWhy does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?\fR
432.IX Subsection "Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?"
433.PP
434Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that character
435size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for terminal use might
436contain some characters that are simply too wide. Rxvt-unicode will avoid
437these characters. For characters that are just \*(L"a bit\*(R" too wide a special
438\&\*(L"careful\*(R" rendering mode is used that redraws adjacent characters.
439.PP
440All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes,
441however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed bounding
442box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the correct way is to
443ask for the character bounding box, which unfortunately is wrong in these
444cases).
445.PP
446It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, freetype,
447or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you might try using
448the \f(CW\*(C`\-lsp\*(C'\fR option to give the font more height. If that doesn't work, you
449might be forced to use a different font.
450.PP
451All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their bounding
452box data is correct.
453.PP
454\fIHow can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?\fR
455.IX Subsection "How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?"
456.PP
457First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal settings
458(\f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then
459make sure you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise
460rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
461.PP
462.Vb 2
463\& URxvt.colorBD: white
464\& URxvt.colorIT: green
465.Ve
466.PP
467\fISome programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?\fR
468.IX Subsection "Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?"
469.PP
470For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very weird
471colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the standard
4728 colours (rxvt\-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of course, to fix
473these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very good reasons.
474.PP
475In the meantime, you can either edit your \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR terminfo
476definition to only claim 8 colour support or use \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR, which will
477fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
478.PP
479\fICan I switch the fonts at runtime?\fR
480.IX Subsection "Can I switch the fonts at runtime?"
481.PP
482Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has the same
483effect as using the \f(CW\*(C`\-fn\*(C'\fR switch, and takes effect immediately:
484.PP
371.Vb 1 485.Vb 1
486\& printf '\ee]50;%s\e007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
487.Ve
488.PP
489This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
490japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
491japanese fonts would only be in your way.
492.PP
493You can think of this as a kind of manual \s-1ISO\-2022\s0 switching.
494.PP
495\fIWhy do italic characters look as if clipped?\fR
496.IX Subsection "Why do italic characters look as if clipped?"
497.PP
498Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
499example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font \f(CW\*(C`xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
500Mono\*(C'\fR completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might be to
501enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
502.PP
503.Vb 2
504\& URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
505\& URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
506.Ve
507.PP
508\fICan I speed up Xft rendering somehow?\fR
509.IX Subsection "Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?"
510.PP
511Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as
512it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
513antialiasing (by appending \f(CW\*(C`:antialias=false\*(C'\fR), which saves lots of
514memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
515.PP
516\fIRxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?\fR
517.IX Subsection "Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?"
518.PP
519Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
520fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
521fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
522antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
523look best that way.
524.PP
525If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
526.PP
527\fIWhat's with this bold/blink stuff?\fR
528.IX Subsection "What's with this bold/blink stuff?"
529.PP
530If no bold colour is set via \f(CW\*(C`colorBD:\*(C'\fR, bold will invert text using the
531standard foreground colour.
532.PP
533For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the
534text blink when compiled with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-blinking\*(C'\fR. with standard
535colours. Without \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-blinking\*(C'\fR, the blink attribute will be
536ignored.
537.PP
538On \s-1ANSI\s0 colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
539foreground/background colors.
540.PP
541color0\-7 are the low-intensity colors.
542.PP
543color8\-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
544.PP
545\fII don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?\fR
546.IX Subsection "I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?"
547.PP
548You can change the screen colors at run-time using \fI~/.Xdefaults\fR
549resources (or as long\-options).
550.PP
551Here are values that are supposed to resemble a \s-1VGA\s0 screen,
552including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
553.PP
554.Vb 8
555\& URxvt.color0: #000000
556\& URxvt.color1: #A80000
557\& URxvt.color2: #00A800
558\& URxvt.color3: #A8A800
559\& URxvt.color4: #0000A8
560\& URxvt.color5: #A800A8
561\& URxvt.color6: #00A8A8
562\& URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8
563.Ve
564.PP
565.Vb 8
566\& URxvt.color8: #000054
567\& URxvt.color9: #FF0054
568\& URxvt.color10: #00FF54
569\& URxvt.color11: #FFFF54
570\& URxvt.color12: #0000FF
571\& URxvt.color13: #FF00FF
572\& URxvt.color14: #00FFFF
573\& URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF
574.Ve
575.PP
576And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors.
577.PP
578.Vb 18
579\& URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1
580\& URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1
581\& URxvt.background: #0e0e0e
582\& URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1
583\& URxvt.color0: #000000
584\& URxvt.color8: #8b8f93
585\& URxvt.color1: #dc74d1
586\& URxvt.color9: #dc74d1
587\& URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7
588\& URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7
589\& URxvt.color3: #dfe37e
590\& URxvt.color11: #dfe37e
591\& URxvt.color5: #9e88f0
592\& URxvt.color13: #9e88f0
593\& URxvt.color6: #73f7ff
594\& URxvt.color14: #73f7ff
595\& URxvt.color7: #e1dddd
596\& URxvt.color15: #e1dddd
597.Ve
598.PP
599(They were described (not by me) as \*(L"pretty girly\*(R").
600.PP
601\fIWhy do some characters look so much different than others?\fR
602.IX Subsection "Why do some characters look so much different than others?"
603.PP
604See next entry.
605.PP
606\fIHow does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?\fR
607.IX Subsection "How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?"
608.PP
609Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is
610fine. Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of
611your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want
612to display.
613.PP
614\&\fBrxvt-unicode\fR makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement
615font. Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks
616bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that don't
617resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial
618intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe
619the font that the characters it claims to contain indeed look correct.
620.PP
621In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list,
622e.g.:
623.PP
624.Vb 1
625\& @@URXVT_NAME@@ -fn basefont,font2,font3...
626.Ve
627.PP
628When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base
629font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the
630next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this
631search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X\-server.
632.PP
633The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the base
634font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell size, which
635must be the same due to the way terminals work.
636.Sh "Keyboard, Mouse & User Interaction"
637.IX Subsection "Keyboard, Mouse & User Interaction"
638\fIThe new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?\fR
639.IX Subsection "The new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?"
640.PP
641If you want to select e.g. alphanumeric words, you can use the following
642setting:
643.PP
644.Vb 1
645\& URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([[:word:]]+)
646.Ve
647.PP
648If you click more than twice, the selection will be extended
649more and more.
650.PP
651To get a selection that is very similar to the old code, try this pattern:
652.PP
653.Vb 1
654\& URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([^"&'()*,;<=>?@[\e\e\e\e]^`{|})]+)
655.Ve
656.PP
657Please also note that the \fILeftClick Shift-LeftClik\fR combination also
658selects words like the old code.
659.PP
660\fII don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?\fR
661.IX Subsection "I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?"
662.PP
663You can disable the perl extension completely by setting the
664\&\fBperl-ext-common\fR resource to the empty string, which also keeps
665rxvt-unicode from initialising perl, saving memory.
666.PP
667If you only want to disable specific features, you first have to
668identify which perl extension is responsible. For this, read the section
669\&\fB\s-1PREPACKAGED\s0 \s-1EXTENSIONS\s0\fR in the @@URXVT_NAME@@\fIperl\fR\|(3) manpage. For
670example, to disable the \fBselection-popup\fR and \fBoption-popup\fR, specify
671this \fBperl-ext-common\fR resource:
672.PP
673.Vb 1
674\& URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-selection-popup,-option-popup
675.Ve
676.PP
677This will keep the default extensions, but disable the two popup
678extensions. Some extensions can also be configured, for example,
679scrollback search mode is triggered by \fBM\-s\fR. You can move it to any
680other combination either by setting the \fBsearchable-scrollback\fR resource:
681.PP
682.Vb 1
683\& URxvt.searchable-scrollback: CM-s
684.Ve
685.PP
686\fIThe cursor moves when selecting text in the current input line, how do I switch this off?\fR
687.IX Subsection "The cursor moves when selecting text in the current input line, how do I switch this off?"
688.PP
689See next entry.
690.PP
691\fIDuring rlogin/ssh/telnet/etc. sessions, clicking near the cursor outputs strange escape sequences, how do I fix this?\fR
692.IX Subsection "During rlogin/ssh/telnet/etc. sessions, clicking near the cursor outputs strange escape sequences, how do I fix this?"
693.PP
694These are caused by the \f(CW\*(C`readline\*(C'\fR perl extension. Under normal
695circumstances, it will move your cursor around when you click into the
696line that contains it. It tries hard not to do this at the wrong moment,
697but when running a program that doesn't parse cursor movements or in some
698cases during rlogin sessions, it fails to detect this properly.
699.PP
700You can permamently switch this feature off by disabling the \f(CW\*(C`readline\*(C'\fR
701extension:
702.PP
703.Vb 1
372\& URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,tabbed 704\& URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-readline
373.Ve 705.Ve
374.Sp 706.PP
375It will also work fine with tabbing functionality of many window managers 707\fIMy numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?\fR
376or similar tabbing programs, and its embedding-features allow it to be 708.IX Subsection "My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?"
377embedded into other programs, as witnessed by \fIdoc/rxvt\-tabbed\fR or 709.PP
378the upcoming \f(CW\*(C`Gtk2::URxvt\*(C'\fR perl module, which features a tabbed urxvt 710Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no
379(murxvt) terminal as an example embedding application. 711specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is caused
380.IP "How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?" 4 712by the wrong \f(CW\*(C`TERM\*(C'\fR setting, although the details of wether and how
381.IX Item "How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?" 713this can happen are unknown, as \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR should offer a compatible
382The version number is displayed with the usage (\-h). Also the escape 714keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and please report if that
383sequence \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 8 n\*(C'\fR sets the window title to the version number. When 715helped.
384using the @@RXVT_NAME@@c client, the version displayed is that of the 716.PP
385daemon. 717\fIMy Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working.\fR
386.IP "I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem..." 4 718.IX Subsection "My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working."
387.IX Item "I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem..." 719.PP
388The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode in sarge contains large 720The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not set
389patches that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode (but 721correctly, or you specified a \fBpreeditStyle\fR that is not supported by
390unfortunately this notice has been removed). Before reporting a bug to 722your input method. For example, if you specified \fBOverTheSpot\fR and
391the original rxvt-unicode author please download and install the genuine 723your input method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose keys)
392version (<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt\-unicode>) and try to reproduce 724does not support this (for instance because it is not visual), then
393the problem. If you cannot, chances are that the problems are specific to 725rxvt-unicode will continue without an input method.
394Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be reported via the Debian Bug 726.PP
395Tracking System (use \f(CW\*(C`reportbug\*(C'\fR to report the bug). 727In this case either do not specify a \fBpreeditStyle\fR or specify more than
396.Sp 728one pre-edit style, such as \fBOverTheSpot,Root,None\fR.
397For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and 729.PP
398probably should use the Debian \s-1BTS\s0, too, because, after all, it's also a 730\fII cannot type \f(CI\*(C`Ctrl\-Shift\-2\*(C'\fI to get an \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0 character due to \s-1ISO\s0 14755\fR
399bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for other users that 731.IX Subsection "I cannot type Ctrl-Shift-2 to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 14755"
400might encounter the same issue. 732.PP
401.IP "I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS \s-1XXX\s0, any recommendation?" 4 733Either try \f(CW\*(C`Ctrl\-2\*(C'\fR alone (it often is mapped to \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0 even on
402.IX Item "I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS XXX, any recommendation?" 734international keyboards) or simply use \s-1ISO\s0 14755 support to your
403You should build one binary with the default options. \fIconfigure\fR 735advantage, typing <Ctrl\-Shift\-0> to get a \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0. This works for other
404now enables most useful options, and the trend goes to making them 736codes, too, such as \f(CW\*(C`Ctrl\-Shift\-1\-d\*(C'\fR to type the default telnet escape
405runtime\-switchable, too, so there is usually no drawback to enbaling them, 737character and so on.
406except higher disk and possibly memory usage. The perl interpreter should 738.PP
407be enabled, as important functionality (menus, selection, likely more in 739\fIMouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works.\fR
408the future) depends on it. 740.IX Subsection "Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works."
409.Sp 741.PP
410You should not overwrite the \f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\-common\*(C'\fR snd \f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\*(C'\fR resources 742Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing
411system-wide (except maybe with \f(CW\*(C`defaults\*(C'\fR). This will result in useful 743some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've
412behaviour. If your distribution aims at low memory, add an empty 744heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A
413\&\f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\-common\*(C'\fR resource to the app-defaults file. This will keep the 745quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
414perl interpreter disabled until the user enables it. 746depressed.
415.Sp 747.PP
416If you can/want build more binaries, I recommend building a minimal 748\fIWhat's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?\fR
417one with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-everything\*(C'\fR (very useful) and a maximal one with 749.IX Subsection "What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?"
418\&\f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-everything\*(C'\fR (less useful, it will be very big due to a lot of 750.PP
419encodings built-in that increase download times and are rarely used). 751Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the
420.IP "I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my \s-1OS\s0, is this safe?" 4 752BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following
421.IX Item "I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my OS, is this safe?" 753question) there are two standard values that can be used for
422It should be, starting with release 7.1. You are encouraged to properly 754Backspace: \f(CW\*(C`^H\*(C'\fR and \f(CW\*(C`^?\*(C'\fR.
423install urxvt with privileges necessary for your \s-1OS\s0 now. 755.PP
424.Sp 756Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the debian
425When rxvt-unicode detects that it runs setuid or setgid, it will fork 757policy of using \f(CW\*(C`^?\*(C'\fR when unsure, because it's the one only only correct
426into a helper process for privileged operations (pty handling on some 758choice :).
427systems, utmp/wtmp/lastlog handling on others) and drop privileges 759.PP
428immediately. This is much safer than most other terminals that keep 760Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the value
429privileges while running (but is more relevant to urxvt, as it contains 761of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode wasn't
430things as perl interpreters, which might be \*(L"helpful\*(R" to attackers). 762started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell), then the
431.Sp 763system value of `erase', which corresponds to \s-1CERASE\s0 in <termios.h>, will
432This forking is done as the very first within \fImain()\fR, which is very early 764be used (which may not be the same as your stty setting).
433and reduces possible bugs to initialisation code run before \fImain()\fR, or 765.PP
434things like the dynamic loader of your system, which should result in very 766For starting a new rxvt\-unicode:
435little risk. 767.PP
768.Vb 3
769\& # use Backspace = ^H
770\& $ stty erase ^H
771\& $ @@URXVT_NAME@@
772.Ve
773.PP
774.Vb 3
775\& # use Backspace = ^?
776\& $ stty erase ^?
777\& $ @@URXVT_NAME@@
778.Ve
779.PP
780Toggle with \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 36 h\*(C'\fR / \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 36 l\*(C'\fR.
781.PP
782For an existing rxvt\-unicode:
783.PP
784.Vb 3
785\& # use Backspace = ^H
786\& $ stty erase ^H
787\& $ echo -n "^[[36h"
788.Ve
789.PP
790.Vb 3
791\& # use Backspace = ^?
792\& $ stty erase ^?
793\& $ echo -n "^[[36l"
794.Ve
795.PP
796This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
797if you use Backspace = \f(CW\*(C`^H\*(C'\fR, make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
798properly reflects that.
799.PP
800The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace problem.
801To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the Delete
802key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for Execute
803(\f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 3 ~\*(C'\fR) and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
804.PP
805Some other Backspace problems:
806.PP
807some editors use termcap/terminfo,
808some editors (vim I'm told) expect Backspace = ^H,
809\&\s-1GNU\s0 Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
810.PP
811Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
812.PP
813\fII don't like the key\-bindings. How do I change them?\fR
814.IX Subsection "I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?"
815.PP
816There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
817you have run \*(L"configure\*(R" with the \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-resources\*(C'\fR option you can
818use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with keysyms.
819.PP
820Here's an example for a URxvt session started using \f(CW\*(C`@@URXVT_NAME@@ \-name URxvt\*(C'\fR
821.PP
822.Vb 20
823\& URxvt.keysym.Home: \e033[1~
824\& URxvt.keysym.End: \e033[4~
825\& URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \e033<C-'>
826\& URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \e033<C-/>
827\& URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \e033<C-;>
828\& URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \e033<C-`>
829\& URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \e033<C-,>
830\& URxvt.keysym.C-period: \e033<C-.>
831\& URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \e033<C-`>
832\& URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \e033<C-Tab>
833\& URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \e033<C-Return>
834\& URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \e033<S-Return>
835\& URxvt.keysym.S-space: \e033<S-Space>
836\& URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \e033<M-Up>
837\& URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \e033<M-Down>
838\& URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \e033<M-Left>
839\& URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \e033<M-Right>
840\& URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \e033<M-C- 0123456789 >
841\& URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \e033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz >
842\& URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\e033]701;zh_CN.GBK\e007
843.Ve
844.PP
845See some more examples in the documentation for the \fBkeysym\fR resource.
846.PP
847\fII'm using keyboard model \s-1XXX\s0 that has extra Prior/Next/Insert keys. How do I make use of them? For example, the Sun Keyboard type 4 has the following map\fR
848.IX Subsection "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 map"
849.PP
850.Vb 6
851\& KP_Insert == Insert
852\& F22 == Print
853\& F27 == Home
854\& F29 == Prior
855\& F33 == End
856\& F35 == Next
857.Ve
858.PP
859Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various possible
860keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the keys as
861required for your particular machine.
862.Sh "Terminal Configuration"
863.IX Subsection "Terminal Configuration"
864\fIWhy doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?\fR
865.IX Subsection "Why doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?"
866.PP
867Well, why, indeed? It does, in a way very similar to other X
868applications. Most importantly, this means that if you or your \s-1OS\s0 loads
869resources into the X display (the right way to do it), rxvt-unicode will
870ignore any resource files in your home directory. It will only read
871\&\fI$HOME/.Xdefaults\fR when no resources are attached to the display.
872.PP
873If you have or use an \fI$HOME/.Xresources\fR file, chances are that
874resources are loaded into your X\-server. In this case, you have to
875re-login after every change (or run \fIxrdb \-merge \f(CI$HOME\fI/.Xresources\fR).
876.PP
877Also consider the form resources have to use:
878.PP
879.Vb 1
880\& URxvt.resource: value
881.Ve
882.PP
883If you want to use another form (there are lots of different ways of
884specifying resources), make sure you understand wether and why it
885works. If unsure, use the form above.
886.PP
436.IP "When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?" 4 887\fIWhen I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?\fR
437.IX Item "When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?" 888.IX Subsection "When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?"
889.PP
438The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available 890The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available
439as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often arises). 891as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often arises).
440.Sp 892.PP
441The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this can 893The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this can
442be done like this (with ncurses' infocmp): 894be done like this (with ncurses' infocmp):
443.Sp 895.PP
444.Vb 2 896.Vb 2
445\& REMOTE=remotesystem.domain 897\& REMOTE=remotesystem.domain
446\& infocmp rxvt-unicode | ssh $REMOTE "cat >/tmp/ti && tic /tmp/ti" 898\& infocmp rxvt-unicode | ssh $REMOTE "cat >/tmp/ti && tic /tmp/ti"
447.Ve 899.Ve
448.Sp 900.PP
449\&... or by installing rxvt-unicode normally on the remote system, 901\&... or by installing rxvt-unicode normally on the remote system,
450.Sp 902.PP
451If you cannot or do not want to do this, then you can simply set 903If you cannot or do not want to do this, then you can simply set
452\&\f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR or even \f(CW\*(C`TERM=xterm\*(C'\fR, and live with the small number of 904\&\f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR or even \f(CW\*(C`TERM=xterm\*(C'\fR, and live with the small number of
453problems arising, which includes wrong keymapping, less and different 905problems arising, which includes wrong keymapping, less and different
454colours and some refresh errors in fullscreen applications. It's a nice 906colours and some refresh errors in fullscreen applications. It's a nice
455quick-and-dirty workaround for rare cases, though. 907quick-and-dirty workaround for rare cases, though.
456.Sp 908.PP
457If you always want to do this (and are fine with the consequences) you 909If you always want to do this (and are fine with the consequences) you
458can either recompile rxvt-unicode with the desired \s-1TERM\s0 value or use a 910can either recompile rxvt-unicode with the desired \s-1TERM\s0 value or use a
459resource to set it: 911resource to set it:
460.Sp 912.PP
461.Vb 1 913.Vb 1
462\& URxvt.termName: rxvt 914\& URxvt.termName: rxvt
463.Ve 915.Ve
464.Sp 916.PP
465If you don't plan to use \fBrxvt\fR (quite common...) you could also replace 917If you don't plan to use \fBrxvt\fR (quite common...) you could also replace
466the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one. 918the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one and use \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR.
467.ie n .IP """tic"" outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry." 4 919.PP
468.el .IP "\f(CWtic\fR outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry." 4 920\fI\f(CI\*(C`tic\*(C'\fI outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry.\fR
469.IX Item "tic outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry." 921.IX Subsection "tic outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry."
922.PP
470Most likely it's the empty definition for \f(CW\*(C`enacs=\*(C'\fR. Just replace it by 923Most likely it's the empty definition for \f(CW\*(C`enacs=\*(C'\fR. Just replace it by
471\&\f(CW\*(C`enacs=\eE[0@\*(C'\fR and try again. 924\&\f(CW\*(C`enacs=\eE[0@\*(C'\fR and try again.
472.ie n .IP """bash""'s readline does not work correctly under @@RXVT_NAME@@." 4 925.PP
473.el .IP "\f(CWbash\fR's readline does not work correctly under @@RXVT_NAME@@." 4 926\fI\f(CI\*(C`bash\*(C'\fI's readline does not work correctly under @@URXVT_NAME@@.\fR
474.IX Item "bash's readline does not work correctly under @@RXVT_NAME@@." 927.IX Subsection "bash's readline does not work correctly under @@URXVT_NAME@@."
475.PD 0 928.PP
929See next entry.
930.PP
476.IP "I need a termcap file entry." 4 931\fII need a termcap file entry.\fR
477.IX Item "I need a termcap file entry." 932.IX Subsection "I need a termcap file entry."
478.PD 933.PP
479One reason you might want this is that some distributions or operating 934One reason you might want this is that some distributions or operating
480systems still compile some programs using the long-obsoleted termcap 935systems still compile some programs using the long-obsoleted termcap
481library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) and rely on a termcap entry 936library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) and rely on a termcap entry
482for \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR. 937for \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR.
483.Sp 938.PP
484You could use rxvt's termcap entry with resonable results in many cases. 939You could use rxvt's termcap entry with resonable results in many cases.
485You can also create a termcap entry by using terminfo's infocmp program 940You can also create a termcap entry by using terminfo's infocmp program
486like this: 941like this:
487.Sp 942.PP
488.Vb 1 943.Vb 1
489\& infocmp -C rxvt-unicode 944\& infocmp -C rxvt-unicode
490.Ve 945.Ve
491.Sp 946.PP
492Or you could use this termcap entry, generated by the command above: 947Or you could use this termcap entry, generated by the command above:
493.Sp 948.PP
494.Vb 20 949.Vb 20
495\& rxvt-unicode|rxvt-unicode terminal (X Window System):\e 950\& rxvt-unicode|rxvt-unicode terminal (X Window System):\e
496\& :am:bw:eo:km:mi:ms:xn:xo:\e 951\& :am:bw:eo:km:mi:ms:xn:xo:\e
497\& :co#80:it#8:li#24:lm#0:\e 952\& :co#80:it#8:li#24:lm#0:\e
498\& :AL=\eE[%dL:DC=\eE[%dP:DL=\eE[%dM:DO=\eE[%dB:IC=\eE[%d@:\e 953\& :AL=\eE[%dL:DC=\eE[%dP:DL=\eE[%dM:DO=\eE[%dB:IC=\eE[%d@:\e
511\& :sc=\eE7:se=\eE[27m:sf=^J:so=\eE[7m:sr=\eEM:st=\eEH:ta=^I:\e 966\& :sc=\eE7:se=\eE[27m:sf=^J:so=\eE[7m:sr=\eEM:st=\eEH:ta=^I:\e
512\& :te=\eE[r\eE[?1049l:ti=\eE[?1049h:ue=\eE[24m:up=\eE[A:\e 967\& :te=\eE[r\eE[?1049l:ti=\eE[?1049h:ue=\eE[24m:up=\eE[A:\e
513\& :us=\eE[4m:vb=\eE[?5h\eE[?5l:ve=\eE[?25h:vi=\eE[?25l:\e 968\& :us=\eE[4m:vb=\eE[?5h\eE[?5l:ve=\eE[?25h:vi=\eE[?25l:\e
514\& :vs=\eE[?25h: 969\& :vs=\eE[?25h:
515.Ve 970.Ve
516.ie n .IP "Why does ""ls"" no longer have coloured output?" 4 971.PP
517.el .IP "Why does \f(CWls\fR no longer have coloured output?" 4 972\fIWhy does \f(CI\*(C`ls\*(C'\fI no longer have coloured output?\fR
518.IX Item "Why does ls no longer have coloured output?" 973.IX Subsection "Why does ls no longer have coloured output?"
974.PP
519The \f(CW\*(C`ls\*(C'\fR in the \s-1GNU\s0 coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to 975The \f(CW\*(C`ls\*(C'\fR in the \s-1GNU\s0 coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to
520decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration 976decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration
521file. Needless to say, \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR is not in it's default file (among 977file. Needless to say, \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR is not in it's default file (among
522with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add: 978with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add:
523.Sp 979.PP
524.Vb 1 980.Vb 1
525\& TERM rxvt-unicode 981\& TERM rxvt-unicode
526.Ve 982.Ve
527.Sp 983.PP
528to \f(CW\*(C`/etc/DIR_COLORS\*(C'\fR or simply add: 984to \f(CW\*(C`/etc/DIR_COLORS\*(C'\fR or simply add:
529.Sp 985.PP
530.Vb 1 986.Vb 1
531\& alias ls='ls --color=auto' 987\& alias ls='ls --color=auto'
532.Ve 988.Ve
533.Sp 989.PP
534to your \f(CW\*(C`.profile\*(C'\fR or \f(CW\*(C`.bashrc\*(C'\fR. 990to your \f(CW\*(C`.profile\*(C'\fR or \f(CW\*(C`.bashrc\*(C'\fR.
991.PP
535.IP "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?" 4 992\fIWhy doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?\fR
536.IX Item "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?" 993.IX Subsection "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?"
537.PD 0 994.PP
995See next entry.
996.PP
538.IP "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?" 4 997\fIWhy doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?\fR
539.IX Item "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?" 998.IX Subsection "Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?"
999.PP
1000See next entry.
1001.PP
540.IP "Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?" 4 1002\fIWhy are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?\fR
541.IX Item "Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?" 1003.IX Subsection "Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?"
542.PD 1004.PP
543Make sure you are using \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR. Some pre-packaged 1005Make sure you are using \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR. Some pre-packaged
544distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode 1006distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode
545by setting \f(CW\*(C`TERM\*(C'\fR to \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\*(C'\fR, which doesn't have these extra 1007by setting \f(CW\*(C`TERM\*(C'\fR to \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\*(C'\fR, which doesn't have these extra
546features. Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian 1008features. Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian
547GNU/Linux) furthermore fail to even install the \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR terminfo 1009GNU/Linux) furthermore fail to even install the \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR terminfo
548file, so you will need to install it on your own (See the question \fBWhen 1010file, so you will need to install it on your own (See the question \fBWhen
549I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?\fR on 1011I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?\fR on
550how to do this). 1012how to do this).
551.IP "My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?" 4 1013.Sh "Encoding / Locale / Input Method Issues"
552.IX Item "My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?" 1014.IX Subsection "Encoding / Locale / Input Method Issues"
553Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no
554specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is caused
555by the wrong \f(CW\*(C`TERM\*(C'\fR setting, although the details of wether and how
556this can happen are unknown, as \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR should offer a compatible
557keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and please report if that
558helped.
559.IP "Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?" 4 1015\fIRxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?\fR
560.IX Item "Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?" 1016.IX Subsection "Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?"
561.PD 0 1017.PP
1018See next entry.
1019.PP
562.IP "Unicode does not seem to work?" 4 1020\fIUnicode does not seem to work?\fR
563.IX Item "Unicode does not seem to work?" 1021.IX Subsection "Unicode does not seem to work?"
564.PD 1022.PP
565If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but 1023If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but
566getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output is 1024getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output is
567subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings. 1025subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings.
568.Sp 1026.PP
569Rxvt-unicode must be started with the same \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR setting as the 1027Rxvt-unicode must be started with the same \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR setting as the
570programs. Often rxvt-unicode is started in the \f(CW\*(C`C\*(C'\fR locale, while the 1028programs. Often rxvt-unicode is started in the \f(CW\*(C`C\*(C'\fR locale, while the
571login script running within the rxvt-unicode window changes the locale to 1029login script running within the rxvt-unicode window changes the locale to
572something else, e.g. \f(CW\*(C`en_GB.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR. Needless to say, this is not going to work. 1030something else, e.g. \f(CW\*(C`en_GB.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR. Needless to say, this is not going to work.
573.Sp 1031.PP
574The best thing is to fix your startup environment, as you will likely run 1032The best thing is to fix your startup environment, as you will likely run
575into other problems. If nothing works you can try this in your .profile. 1033into other problems. If nothing works you can try this in your .profile.
576.Sp 1034.PP
577.Vb 1 1035.Vb 1
578\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' "$LC_CTYPE" 1036\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' "$LC_CTYPE"
579.Ve 1037.Ve
580.Sp 1038.PP
581If this doesn't work, then maybe you use a \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR specification not 1039If this doesn't work, then maybe you use a \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR specification not
582supported on your systems. Some systems have a \f(CW\*(C`locale\*(C'\fR command which 1040supported on your systems. Some systems have a \f(CW\*(C`locale\*(C'\fR command which
583displays this (also, \f(CW\*(C`perl \-e0\*(C'\fR can be used to check locale settings, as 1041displays this (also, \f(CW\*(C`perl \-e0\*(C'\fR can be used to check locale settings, as
584it will complain loudly if it cannot set the locale). If it displays something 1042it will complain loudly if it cannot set the locale). If it displays something
585like: 1043like:
586.Sp 1044.PP
587.Vb 1 1045.Vb 1
588\& locale: Cannot set LC_CTYPE to default locale: ... 1046\& locale: Cannot set LC_CTYPE to default locale: ...
589.Ve 1047.Ve
590.Sp 1048.PP
591Then the locale you specified is not supported on your system. 1049Then the locale you specified is not supported on your system.
592.Sp 1050.PP
593If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then 1051If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then
594you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't 1052you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't
595support locales :( 1053support locales :(
596.IP "Why do some characters look so much different than others?" 4 1054.PP
597.IX Item "Why do some characters look so much different than others?" 1055\fIHow does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?\fR
598.PD 0 1056.IX Subsection "How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?"
599.IP "How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?" 4 1057.PP
600.IX Item "How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?" 1058See next entry.
601.PD 1059.PP
602Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is 1060\fIIs there an option to switch encodings?\fR
603fine. Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of 1061.IX Subsection "Is there an option to switch encodings?"
604your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want 1062.PP
605to display. 1063Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
606.Sp 1064specific \*(L"utf\-8\*(R" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know about
607\&\fBrxvt-unicode\fR makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement 1065\&\s-1UTF\-8\s0 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
608font. Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks 1066.PP
609bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that don't 1067The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for selecting
610resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial 1068the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating this to all
611intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe 1069applications so everybody agrees on character properties such as width
612the font that the characters it claims to contain indeed look correct. 1070and code number. This mechanism is the \fIlocale\fR. Applications not using
613.Sp 1071that info will have problems (for example, \f(CW\*(C`xterm\*(C'\fR gets the width of
614In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list, 1072characters wrong as it uses it's own, locale-independent table under all
615e.g.: 1073locales).
616.Sp 1074.PP
1075Rxvt-unicode uses the \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR locale category to select encoding. All
1076programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
1077interpretation of characters.
1078.PP
1079Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
1080is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
1081.PP
1082On most systems, the content of the \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR environment variable
1083contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
1084locale. Common names for locales are \f(CW\*(C`en_US.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR, \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.ISO\-8859\-15\*(C'\fR,
1085\&\f(CW\*(C`ja_JP.EUC\-JP\*(C'\fR, i.e. \f(CW\*(C`language_country.encoding\*(C'\fR, but other forms
1086(i.e. \f(CW\*(C`de\*(C'\fR or \f(CW\*(C`german\*(C'\fR) are also common.
1087.PP
1088Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for
1089the encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings,
1090i.e. \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR and \f(CW\*(C`ja_JP.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR are the normally same to
1091rxvt\-unicode.
1092.PP
1093If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
1094rxvt-unicode with the correct \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR category.
1095.PP
1096\fICan I switch locales at runtime?\fR
1097.IX Subsection "Can I switch locales at runtime?"
1098.PP
1099Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets
1100rxvt\-unicode's idea of \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR.
1101.PP
617.Vb 1 1102.Vb 1
618\& @@RXVT_NAME@@ -fn basefont,font2,font3... 1103\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' ja_JP.SJIS
619.Ve 1104.Ve
620.Sp 1105.PP
621When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base 1106See also the previous answer.
622font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the 1107.PP
623next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this 1108Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in
624search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X\-server. 1109one locale (e.g. \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR) but some programs don't support it
625.Sp 1110(e.g. \s-1UTF\-8\s0). For example, I use this script to start \f(CW\*(C`xjdic\*(C'\fR, which
626The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the base 1111first switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
627font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell size, which 1112.PP
628must be the same due to the way terminals work. 1113.Vb 3
629.IP "Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?" 4 1114\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' ja_JP.SJIS
630.IX Item "Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?" 1115\& xjdic -js
631This is because there is a difference between script and language \*(-- 1116\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' de_DE.UTF-8
632rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output is, 1117.Ve
633as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode first 1118.PP
634sees a japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese font for 1119You can also use xterm's \f(CW\*(C`luit\*(C'\fR program, which usually works fine, except
635display. Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. Now, many 1120for some locales where character width differs between program\- and
636chinese characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first 1121rxvt\-unicode\-locales.
637non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese font 1122.PP
638\&\*(-- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font for 1123\fIMy input method wants <some encoding> but I want \s-1UTF\-8\s0, what can I do?\fR
639chinese characters that are also in the japanese font. 1124.IX Subsection "My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?"
640.Sp 1125.PP
641The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font 1126You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of the
642list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as 1127terminal, using the resource \f(CW\*(C`imlocale\*(C'\fR:
643a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font 1128.PP
644first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first. 1129.Vb 1
645.Sp 1130\& URxvt.imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
646In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at 1131.Ve
647runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using different 1132.PP
648fonts for the same character at the same time, but no interface for this 1133Now you can start your terminal with \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR and still
649has been designed yet). 1134use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able to
650.Sp 1135input characters outside \f(CW\*(C`EUC\-JP\*(C'\fR in a normal way then, as your input
651Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see \*(L"Can I switch the fonts at runtime?\*(R" later in this document). 1136method limits you.
652.IP "Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?" 4 1137.PP
653.IX Item "Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?" 1138\fIRxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits.\fR
654Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that character 1139.IX Subsection "Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits."
655size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for terminal use might 1140.PP
656contain some characters that are simply too wide. Rxvt-unicode will avoid 1141Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the \s-1XIM\s0 protocol is racy by
657these characters. For characters that are just \*(L"a bit\*(R" too wide a special 1142design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory
658\&\*(L"careful\*(R" rendering mode is used that redraws adjacent characters. 1143leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering at
659.Sp 1144exit time. \fBkinput2\fR (and derived input methods) generally succeeds,
660All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes, 1145while \fB\s-1SCIM\s0\fR (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, however,
661however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed bounding 1146crashes cannot be completely avoided even if both sides cooperate.
662box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the correct way is to 1147.PP
663ask for the character bounding box, which unfortunately is wrong in these 1148So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers.
664cases). 1149.Sh "Operating Systems / Package Maintaining"
665.Sp 1150.IX Subsection "Operating Systems / Package Maintaining"
666It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, freetype, 1151\fII am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem...\fR
667or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you might try using 1152.IX Subsection "I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem..."
668the \f(CW\*(C`\-lsp\*(C'\fR option to give the font more height. If that doesn't work, you 1153.PP
669might be forced to use a different font. 1154The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode in sarge contains large
670.Sp 1155patches that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode (but
671All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their bounding 1156unfortunately this notice has been removed). Before reporting a bug to
672box data is correct. 1157the original rxvt-unicode author please download and install the genuine
1158version (<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt\-unicode>) and try to reproduce
1159the problem. If you cannot, chances are that the problems are specific to
1160Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be reported via the Debian Bug
1161Tracking System (use \f(CW\*(C`reportbug\*(C'\fR to report the bug).
1162.PP
1163For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and
1164probably should use the Debian \s-1BTS\s0, too, because, after all, it's also a
1165bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for other users that
1166might encounter the same issue.
1167.PP
1168\fII am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS \s-1XXX\s0, any recommendation?\fR
1169.IX Subsection "I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS XXX, any recommendation?"
1170.PP
1171You should build one binary with the default options. \fIconfigure\fR
1172now enables most useful options, and the trend goes to making them
1173runtime\-switchable, too, so there is usually no drawback to enbaling them,
1174except higher disk and possibly memory usage. The perl interpreter should
1175be enabled, as important functionality (menus, selection, likely more in
1176the future) depends on it.
1177.PP
1178You should not overwrite the \f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\-common\*(C'\fR snd \f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\*(C'\fR resources
1179system-wide (except maybe with \f(CW\*(C`defaults\*(C'\fR). This will result in useful
1180behaviour. If your distribution aims at low memory, add an empty
1181\&\f(CW\*(C`perl\-ext\-common\*(C'\fR resource to the app-defaults file. This will keep the
1182perl interpreter disabled until the user enables it.
1183.PP
1184If you can/want build more binaries, I recommend building a minimal
1185one with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-everything\*(C'\fR (very useful) and a maximal one with
1186\&\f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-everything\*(C'\fR (less useful, it will be very big due to a lot of
1187encodings built-in that increase download times and are rarely used).
1188.PP
1189\fII need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my \s-1OS\s0, is this safe?\fR
1190.IX Subsection "I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my OS, is this safe?"
1191.PP
1192It should be, starting with release 7.1. You are encouraged to properly
1193install urxvt with privileges necessary for your \s-1OS\s0 now.
1194.PP
1195When rxvt-unicode detects that it runs setuid or setgid, it will fork
1196into a helper process for privileged operations (pty handling on some
1197systems, utmp/wtmp/lastlog handling on others) and drop privileges
1198immediately. This is much safer than most other terminals that keep
1199privileges while running (but is more relevant to urxvt, as it contains
1200things as perl interpreters, which might be \*(L"helpful\*(R" to attackers).
1201.PP
1202This forking is done as the very first within \fImain()\fR, which is very early
1203and reduces possible bugs to initialisation code run before \fImain()\fR, or
1204things like the dynamic loader of your system, which should result in very
1205little risk.
1206.PP
673.IP "On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide." 4 1207\fIOn Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide.\fR
674.IX Item "On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide." 1208.IX Subsection "On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide."
1209.PP
675Seems to be a known bug, read 1210Seems to be a known bug, read
676<http://nixdoc.net/files/forum/about34198.html>. Some people use the 1211<http://nixdoc.net/files/forum/about34198.html>. Some people use the
677following ugly workaround to get non-double-wide-characters working: 1212following ugly workaround to get non-double-wide-characters working:
678.Sp 1213.PP
679.Vb 1 1214.Vb 1
680\& #define wcwidth(x) wcwidth(x) > 1 ? 1 : wcwidth(x) 1215\& #define wcwidth(x) wcwidth(x) > 1 ? 1 : wcwidth(x)
681.Ve 1216.Ve
682.IP "My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working." 4 1217.PP
683.IX Item "My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working."
684The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not set
685correctly, or you specified a \fBpreeditStyle\fR that is not supported by
686your input method. For example, if you specified \fBOverTheSpot\fR and
687your input method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose keys)
688does not support this (for instance because it is not visual), then
689rxvt-unicode will continue without an input method.
690.Sp
691In this case either do not specify a \fBpreeditStyle\fR or specify more than
692one pre-edit style, such as \fBOverTheSpot,Root,None\fR.
693.ie n .IP "I cannot type ""Ctrl\-Shift\-2"" to get an \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0 character due to \s-1ISO\s0 14755" 4
694.el .IP "I cannot type \f(CWCtrl\-Shift\-2\fR to get an \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0 character due to \s-1ISO\s0 14755" 4
695.IX Item "I cannot type Ctrl-Shift-2 to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 14755"
696Either try \f(CW\*(C`Ctrl\-2\*(C'\fR alone (it often is mapped to \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0 even on
697international keyboards) or simply use \s-1ISO\s0 14755 support to your
698advantage, typing <Ctrl\-Shift\-0> to get a \s-1ASCII\s0 \s-1NUL\s0. This works for other
699codes, too, such as \f(CW\*(C`Ctrl\-Shift\-1\-d\*(C'\fR to type the default telnet escape
700character and so on.
701.IP "How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?" 4
702.IX Item "How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?"
703First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal settings
704(\f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then
705make sure you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise
706rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
707.Sp
708.Vb 2
709\& URxvt.colorBD: white
710\& URxvt.colorIT: green
711.Ve
712.IP "Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?" 4
713.IX Item "Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?"
714For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very weird
715colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the standard
7168 colours (rxvt\-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of course, to fix
717these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very good reasons.
718.Sp
719In the meantime, you can either edit your \f(CW\*(C`rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR terminfo
720definition to only claim 8 colour support or use \f(CW\*(C`TERM=rxvt\*(C'\fR, which will
721fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
722.IP "I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all." 4 1218\fII am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all.\fR
723.IX Item "I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all." 1219.IX Subsection "I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all."
1220.PP
724Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol \f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR to be defined 1221Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol \f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR to be defined
725in your compile environment, or an implementation that implements it, 1222in your compile environment, or an implementation that implements it,
726wether it defines the symbol or not. \f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR requires that 1223wether it defines the symbol or not. \f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR requires that
727\&\fBwchar_t\fR is represented as unicode. 1224\&\fBwchar_t\fR is represented as unicode.
728.Sp 1225.PP
729As you might have guessed, FreeBSD does neither define this symobl nor 1226As you might have guessed, FreeBSD does neither define this symobl nor
730does it support it. Instead, it uses it's own internal representation of 1227does it support it. Instead, it uses it's own internal representation of
731\&\fBwchar_t\fR. This is, of course, completely fine with respect to standards. 1228\&\fBwchar_t\fR. This is, of course, completely fine with respect to standards.
732.Sp 1229.PP
733However, that means rxvt-unicode only works in \f(CW\*(C`POSIX\*(C'\fR, \f(CW\*(C`ISO\-8859\-1\*(C'\fR and 1230However, that means rxvt-unicode only works in \f(CW\*(C`POSIX\*(C'\fR, \f(CW\*(C`ISO\-8859\-1\*(C'\fR and
734\&\f(CW\*(C`UTF\-8\*(C'\fR locales under FreeBSD (which all use Unicode as \fBwchar_t\fR. 1231\&\f(CW\*(C`UTF\-8\*(C'\fR locales under FreeBSD (which all use Unicode as \fBwchar_t\fR.
735.Sp 1232.PP
736\&\f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR is the only sane way to support multi-language 1233\&\f(CW\*(C`_\|_STDC_ISO_10646_\|_\*(C'\fR is the only sane way to support multi-language
737apps in an \s-1OS\s0, as using a locale-dependent (and non\-standardized) 1234apps in an \s-1OS\s0, as using a locale-dependent (and non\-standardized)
738representation of \fBwchar_t\fR makes it impossible to convert between 1235representation of \fBwchar_t\fR makes it impossible to convert between
739\&\fBwchar_t\fR (as used by X11 and your applications) and any other encoding 1236\&\fBwchar_t\fR (as used by X11 and your applications) and any other encoding
740without implementing OS-specific-wrappers for each and every locale. There 1237without implementing OS-specific-wrappers for each and every locale. There
741simply are no APIs to convert \fBwchar_t\fR into anything except the current 1238simply are no APIs to convert \fBwchar_t\fR into anything except the current
742locale encoding. 1239locale encoding.
743.Sp 1240.PP
744Some applications (such as the formidable \fBmlterm\fR) work around this 1241Some applications (such as the formidable \fBmlterm\fR) work around this
745by carrying their own replacement functions for character set handling 1242by carrying their own replacement functions for character set handling
746with them, and either implementing OS-dependent hacks or doing multiple 1243with them, and either implementing OS-dependent hacks or doing multiple
747conversions (which is slow and unreliable in case the \s-1OS\s0 implements 1244conversions (which is slow and unreliable in case the \s-1OS\s0 implements
748encodings slightly different than the terminal emulator). 1245encodings slightly different than the terminal emulator).
749.Sp 1246.PP
750The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in the 1247The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in the
751system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app to carry 1248system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app to carry
752complete replacements for them :) 1249complete replacements for them :)
1250.PP
753.IP "I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc." 4 1251\fII use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc.\fR
754.IX Item "I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc." 1252.IX Subsection "I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc."
1253.PP
755Try the diff in \fIdoc/solaris9.patch\fR as a base. It fixes the worst 1254Try the diff in \fIdoc/solaris9.patch\fR as a base. It fixes the worst
756problems with \f(CW\*(C`wcwidth\*(C'\fR and a compile problem. 1255problems with \f(CW\*(C`wcwidth\*(C'\fR and a compile problem.
1256.PP
757.IP "How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?" 4 1257\fIHow can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?\fR
758.IX Item "How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?" 1258.IX Subsection "How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?"
1259.PP
759rxvt-unicode should compile and run out of the box on cygwin, using 1260rxvt-unicode should compile and run out of the box on cygwin, using
760the X11 libraries that come with cygwin. libW11 emulation is no 1261the X11 libraries that come with cygwin. libW11 emulation is no
761longer supported (and makes no sense, either, as it only supported a 1262longer supported (and makes no sense, either, as it only supported a
762single font). I recommend starting the X\-server in \f(CW\*(C`\-multiwindow\*(C'\fR or 1263single font). I recommend starting the X\-server in \f(CW\*(C`\-multiwindow\*(C'\fR or
763\&\f(CW\*(C`\-rootless\*(C'\fR mode instead, which will result in similar look&feel as the 1264\&\f(CW\*(C`\-rootless\*(C'\fR mode instead, which will result in similar look&feel as the
764old libW11 emulation. 1265old libW11 emulation.
765.Sp 1266.PP
766At the time of this writing, cygwin didn't seem to support any multi-byte 1267At the time of this writing, cygwin didn't seem to support any multi-byte
767encodings (you might try \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE=C\-UTF\-8\*(C'\fR), so you are likely limited 1268encodings (you might try \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE=C\-UTF\-8\*(C'\fR), so you are likely limited
768to 8\-bit encodings. 1269to 8\-bit encodings.
769.IP "How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?" 4
770.IX Item "How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?"
771.PD 0
772.IP "Is there an option to switch encodings?" 4
773.IX Item "Is there an option to switch encodings?"
774.PD
775Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
776specific \*(L"utf\-8\*(R" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know about
777\&\s-1UTF\-8\s0 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
778.Sp
779The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for selecting
780the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating this to all
781applications so everybody agrees on character properties such as width
782and code number. This mechanism is the \fIlocale\fR. Applications not using
783that info will have problems (for example, \f(CW\*(C`xterm\*(C'\fR gets the width of
784characters wrong as it uses it's own, locale-independent table under all
785locales).
786.Sp
787Rxvt-unicode uses the \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR locale category to select encoding. All
788programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
789interpretation of characters.
790.Sp
791Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
792is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
793.Sp
794On most systems, the content of the \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR environment variable
795contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
796locale. Common names for locales are \f(CW\*(C`en_US.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR, \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.ISO\-8859\-15\*(C'\fR,
797\&\f(CW\*(C`ja_JP.EUC\-JP\*(C'\fR, i.e. \f(CW\*(C`language_country.encoding\*(C'\fR, but other forms
798(i.e. \f(CW\*(C`de\*(C'\fR or \f(CW\*(C`german\*(C'\fR) are also common.
799.Sp
800Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for
801the encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings,
802i.e. \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR and \f(CW\*(C`ja_JP.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR are the normally same to
803rxvt\-unicode.
804.Sp
805If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
806rxvt-unicode with the correct \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR category.
807.IP "Can I switch locales at runtime?" 4
808.IX Item "Can I switch locales at runtime?"
809Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets
810rxvt\-unicode's idea of \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE\*(C'\fR.
811.Sp
812.Vb 1
813\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' ja_JP.SJIS
814.Ve
815.Sp
816See also the previous answer.
817.Sp
818Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in
819one locale (e.g. \f(CW\*(C`de_DE.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR) but some programs don't support it
820(e.g. \s-1UTF\-8\s0). For example, I use this script to start \f(CW\*(C`xjdic\*(C'\fR, which
821first switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
822.Sp
823.Vb 3
824\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' ja_JP.SJIS
825\& xjdic -js
826\& printf '\ee]701;%s\e007' de_DE.UTF-8
827.Ve
828.Sp
829You can also use xterm's \f(CW\*(C`luit\*(C'\fR program, which usually works fine, except
830for some locales where character width differs between program\- and
831rxvt\-unicode\-locales.
832.IP "Can I switch the fonts at runtime?" 4
833.IX Item "Can I switch the fonts at runtime?"
834Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has the same
835effect as using the \f(CW\*(C`\-fn\*(C'\fR switch, and takes effect immediately:
836.Sp
837.Vb 1
838\& printf '\ee]50;%s\e007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
839.Ve
840.Sp
841This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
842japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
843japanese fonts would only be in your way.
844.Sp
845You can think of this as a kind of manual \s-1ISO\-2022\s0 switching.
846.IP "Why do italic characters look as if clipped?" 4
847.IX Item "Why do italic characters look as if clipped?"
848Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
849example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font \f(CW\*(C`xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
850Mono\*(C'\fR completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might be to
851enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
852.Sp
853.Vb 2
854\& URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
855\& URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
856.Ve
857.IP "My input method wants <some encoding> but I want \s-1UTF\-8\s0, what can I do?" 4
858.IX Item "My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?"
859You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of the
860terminal, using the resource \f(CW\*(C`imlocale\*(C'\fR:
861.Sp
862.Vb 1
863\& URxvt.imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
864.Ve
865.Sp
866Now you can start your terminal with \f(CW\*(C`LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF\-8\*(C'\fR and still
867use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able to
868input characters outside \f(CW\*(C`EUC\-JP\*(C'\fR in a normal way then, as your input
869method limits you.
870.IP "Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits." 4
871.IX Item "Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits."
872Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the \s-1XIM\s0 protocol is racy by
873design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory
874leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering at
875exit time. \fBkinput2\fR (and derived input methods) generally succeeds,
876while \fB\s-1SCIM\s0\fR (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, however,
877crashes cannot be completely avoided even if both sides cooperate.
878.Sp
879So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers.
880.IP "Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?" 4
881.IX Item "Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?"
882Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for something you
883don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings that
884you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by design,
885when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be loaded
886accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your characters.
887.Sp
888Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
889scrollback buffers: Without \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-unicode3\*(C'\fR, rxvt-unicode will use
8906 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
891kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if full)
892use 10 Megabytes of memory. With \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-unicode3\*(C'\fR it gets worse, as
893rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
894.IP "Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?" 4
895.IX Item "Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?"
896Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as
897it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
898antialiasing (by appending \f(CW\*(C`:antialias=false\*(C'\fR), which saves lots of
899memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
900.IP "Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?" 4
901.IX Item "Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?"
902Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
903fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
904fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
905antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
906look best that way.
907.Sp
908If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
909.IP "Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works." 4
910.IX Item "Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works."
911Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing
912some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've
913heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A
914quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
915depressed.
916.IP "What's with this bold/blink stuff?" 4
917.IX Item "What's with this bold/blink stuff?"
918If no bold colour is set via \f(CW\*(C`colorBD:\*(C'\fR, bold will invert text using the
919standard foreground colour.
920.Sp
921For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the
922text blink when compiled with \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-blinking\*(C'\fR. with standard
923colours. Without \f(CW\*(C`\-\-enable\-blinking\*(C'\fR, the blink attribute will be
924ignored.
925.Sp
926On \s-1ANSI\s0 colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
927foreground/background colors.
928.Sp
929color0\-7 are the low-intensity colors.
930.Sp
931color8\-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
932.IP "I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?" 4
933.IX Item "I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?"
934You can change the screen colors at run-time using \fI~/.Xdefaults\fR
935resources (or as long\-options).
936.Sp
937Here are values that are supposed to resemble a \s-1VGA\s0 screen,
938including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
939.Sp
940.Vb 8
941\& URxvt.color0: #000000
942\& URxvt.color1: #A80000
943\& URxvt.color2: #00A800
944\& URxvt.color3: #A8A800
945\& URxvt.color4: #0000A8
946\& URxvt.color5: #A800A8
947\& URxvt.color6: #00A8A8
948\& URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8
949.Ve
950.Sp
951.Vb 8
952\& URxvt.color8: #000054
953\& URxvt.color9: #FF0054
954\& URxvt.color10: #00FF54
955\& URxvt.color11: #FFFF54
956\& URxvt.color12: #0000FF
957\& URxvt.color13: #FF00FF
958\& URxvt.color14: #00FFFF
959\& URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF
960.Ve
961.Sp
962And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors described (not by
963me) as \*(L"pretty girly\*(R".
964.Sp
965.Vb 18
966\& URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1
967\& URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1
968\& URxvt.background: #0e0e0e
969\& URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1
970\& URxvt.color0: #000000
971\& URxvt.color8: #8b8f93
972\& URxvt.color1: #dc74d1
973\& URxvt.color9: #dc74d1
974\& URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7
975\& URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7
976\& URxvt.color3: #dfe37e
977\& URxvt.color11: #dfe37e
978\& URxvt.color5: #9e88f0
979\& URxvt.color13: #9e88f0
980\& URxvt.color6: #73f7ff
981\& URxvt.color14: #73f7ff
982\& URxvt.color7: #e1dddd
983\& URxvt.color15: #e1dddd
984.Ve
985.IP "How can I start @@RXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?" 4
986.IX Item "How can I start @@RXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?"
987Try \f(CW\*(C`@@RXVT_NAME@@d \-f \-o\*(C'\fR, which tells @@RXVT_NAME@@d to open the
988display, create the listening socket and then fork.
989.IP "What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?" 4
990.IX Item "What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?"
991Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the
992BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following
993question) there are two standard values that can be used for
994Backspace: \f(CW\*(C`^H\*(C'\fR and \f(CW\*(C`^?\*(C'\fR.
995.Sp
996Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the debian
997policy of using \f(CW\*(C`^?\*(C'\fR when unsure, because it's the one only only correct
998choice :).
999.Sp
1000Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the value
1001of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode wasn't
1002started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell), then the
1003system value of `erase', which corresponds to \s-1CERASE\s0 in <termios.h>, will
1004be used (which may not be the same as your stty setting).
1005.Sp
1006For starting a new rxvt\-unicode:
1007.Sp
1008.Vb 3
1009\& # use Backspace = ^H
1010\& $ stty erase ^H
1011\& $ @@RXVT_NAME@@
1012.Ve
1013.Sp
1014.Vb 3
1015\& # use Backspace = ^?
1016\& $ stty erase ^?
1017\& $ @@RXVT_NAME@@
1018.Ve
1019.Sp
1020Toggle with \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 36 h\*(C'\fR / \f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 36 l\*(C'\fR.
1021.Sp
1022For an existing rxvt\-unicode:
1023.Sp
1024.Vb 3
1025\& # use Backspace = ^H
1026\& $ stty erase ^H
1027\& $ echo -n "^[[36h"
1028.Ve
1029.Sp
1030.Vb 3
1031\& # use Backspace = ^?
1032\& $ stty erase ^?
1033\& $ echo -n "^[[36l"
1034.Ve
1035.Sp
1036This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
1037if you use Backspace = \f(CW\*(C`^H\*(C'\fR, make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
1038properly reflects that.
1039.Sp
1040The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace problem.
1041To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the Delete
1042key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for Execute
1043(\f(CW\*(C`ESC [ 3 ~\*(C'\fR) and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
1044.Sp
1045Some other Backspace problems:
1046.Sp
1047some editors use termcap/terminfo,
1048some editors (vim I'm told) expect Backspace = ^H,
1049\&\s-1GNU\s0 Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
1050.Sp
1051Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
1052.IP "I don't like the key\-bindings. How do I change them?" 4
1053.IX Item "I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?"
1054There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
1055you have run \*(L"configure\*(R" with the \f(CW\*(C`\-\-disable\-resources\*(C'\fR option you can
1056use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with keysyms.
1057.Sp
1058Here's an example for a URxvt session started using \f(CW\*(C`@@RXVT_NAME@@ \-name URxvt\*(C'\fR
1059.Sp
1060.Vb 20
1061\& URxvt.keysym.Home: \e033[1~
1062\& URxvt.keysym.End: \e033[4~
1063\& URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \e033<C-'>
1064\& URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \e033<C-/>
1065\& URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \e033<C-;>
1066\& URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \e033<C-`>
1067\& URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \e033<C-,>
1068\& URxvt.keysym.C-period: \e033<C-.>
1069\& URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \e033<C-`>
1070\& URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \e033<C-Tab>
1071\& URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \e033<C-Return>
1072\& URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \e033<S-Return>
1073\& URxvt.keysym.S-space: \e033<S-Space>
1074\& URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \e033<M-Up>
1075\& URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \e033<M-Down>
1076\& URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \e033<M-Left>
1077\& URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \e033<M-Right>
1078\& URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \e033<M-C- 0123456789 >
1079\& URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \e033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz >
1080\& URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\e033]701;zh_CN.GBK\e007
1081.Ve
1082.Sp
1083See some more examples in the documentation for the \fBkeysym\fR resource.
1084.IP "I'm using keyboard model \s-1XXX\s0 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." 4
1085.IX Item "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."
1086.Vb 6
1087\& KP_Insert == Insert
1088\& F22 == Print
1089\& F27 == Home
1090\& F29 == Prior
1091\& F33 == End
1092\& F35 == Next
1093.Ve
1094.Sp
1095Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various possible
1096keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the keys as
1097required for your particular machine.
1098.IP "How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc." 4
1099.IX Item "How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc."
1100rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable \*(L"\s-1COLORTERM\s0\*(R", so you can
1101check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, \s-1JED\s0, slrn,
1102Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide whether or
1103not to use color.
1104.IP "How do I set the correct, full \s-1IP\s0 address for the \s-1DISPLAY\s0 variable?" 4
1105.IX Item "How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?"
1106If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with \s-1DISPLAY_IS_IP\s0 and have enabled
1107insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
1108snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
1109wasn't also compiled with \s-1ESCZ_ANSWER\s0 (as assumed in these snippets) then
1110the \s-1COLORTERM\s0 variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from a
1111regular xterm.
1112.Sp
1113Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
1114snippets:
1115.Sp
1116.Vb 12
1117\& # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
1118\& [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
1119\& if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
1120\& stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
1121\& echo -n '^[Z'
1122\& read term_id
1123\& stty icanon echo
1124\& if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
1125\& echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
1126\& read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
1127\& fi
1128\& fi
1129.Ve
1130.IP "How do I compile the manual pages for myself?" 4
1131.IX Item "How do I compile the manual pages for myself?"
1132You need to have a recent version of perl installed as \fI/usr/bin/perl\fR,
1133one that comes with \fIpod2man\fR, \fIpod2text\fR and \fIpod2html\fR. Then go to
1134the doc subdirectory and enter \f(CW\*(C`make alldoc\*(C'\fR.
1135.IP "My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?" 4
1136.IX Item "My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?"
1137Before sending me mail, you could go to \s-1IRC:\s0 \f(CW\*(C`irc.freenode.net\*(C'\fR,
1138channel \f(CW\*(C`#rxvt\-unicode\*(C'\fR has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might be
1139interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not FAQs :).
1140.SH "RXVT TECHNICAL REFERENCE" 1270.SH "RXVT-UNICODE TECHNICAL REFERENCE"
1141.IX Header "RXVT TECHNICAL REFERENCE" 1271.IX Header "RXVT-UNICODE TECHNICAL REFERENCE"
1142.SH "DESCRIPTION" 1272.SH "DESCRIPTION"
1143.IX Header "DESCRIPTION" 1273.IX Header "DESCRIPTION"
1144The rest of this document describes various technical aspects of 1274The rest of this document describes various technical aspects of
1145\&\fBrxvt-unicode\fR. First the description of supported command sequences, 1275\&\fBrxvt-unicode\fR. First the description of supported command sequences,
1146followed by pixmap support and last by a description of all features 1276followed by pixmap support and last by a description of all features
1997.TS 2127.TS
1998l l . 2128l l .
19994 Shift 21294 Shift
20008 Meta 21308 Meta
200116 Control 213116 Control
200232 Double Click (Rxvt extension) 213232 Double Click (rxvt extension)
2003.TE 2133.TE
2004 2134
2005Col = \fB\f(CB\*(C`<x> \- SPACE\*(C'\fB\fR 2135Col = \fB\f(CB\*(C`<x> \- SPACE\*(C'\fB\fR
2006.Sp 2136.Sp
2007Row = \fB\f(CB\*(C`<y> \- SPACE\*(C'\fB\fR 2137Row = \fB\f(CB\*(C`<y> \- SPACE\*(C'\fB\fR

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