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16=head1 DESCRIPTION 16=head1 DESCRIPTION
17 17
18This document contains the FAQ, the RXVT TECHNICAL REFERENCE documenting 18This document contains the FAQ, the RXVT TECHNICAL REFERENCE documenting
19all escape sequences, and other background information. 19all escape sequences, and other background information.
20 20
21The newest version of this document is 21The newest version of this document is also available on the World Wide Web at
22also available on the World Wide Web at
23L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/browse/*checkout*/rxvt-unicode/doc/rxvt.7.html>. 22L<http://cvs.schmorp.de/browse/*checkout*/rxvt-unicode/doc/rxvt.7.html>.
24 23
25=head1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 24=head1 RXVT-UNICODE/URXVT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
26 25
27=over 4
28 26
29=item I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I 27=head2 Meta, Features & Commandline Issues
30change/disable it?
31 28
32You can disable the perl extension completely by setting the 29=head3 My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?
33B<perl-ext-common> resource to the empty string, which also keeps
34rxvt-unicode from initialising perl, saving memory.
35 30
36If you only want to disable specific features, you first have to 31Before sending me mail, you could go to IRC: C<irc.freenode.net>,
37identify which perl extension is responsible. For this, read the section 32channel C<#rxvt-unicode> has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might be
38B<PREPACKAGED EXTENSIONS> in the @@RXVT_NAME@@perl(3) manpage. For 33interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not FAQs :).
39example, to disable the B<selection-popup> and B<option-popup>, specify
40this B<perl-ext-common> resource:
41 34
42 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-selection-popup,-option-popup 35=head3 Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt-unicode?
43 36
44This will keep the default extensions, but disable the two popup 37Beginning with version 7.3, there is a perl extension that implements a
45extensions. Some extensions can also be configured, for example, 38simple tabbed terminal. It is installed by default, so any of these should
46scrollback search mode is triggered by B<M-s>. You can move it to any 39give you tabs:
47other combination either by setting the B<searchable-scrollback> resource:
48 40
49 URxvt.searchable-scrollback: CM-s 41 @@URXVT_NAME@@ -pe tabbed
50 42
43 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,tabbed
44
45It will also work fine with tabbing functionality of many window managers
46or similar tabbing programs, and its embedding-features allow it to be
47embedded into other programs, as witnessed by F<doc/rxvt-tabbed> or
48the upcoming C<Gtk2::URxvt> perl module, which features a tabbed urxvt
49(murxvt) terminal as an example embedding application.
50
51=head3 How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using?
52
53The version number is displayed with the usage (-h). Also the escape
54sequence C<ESC [ 8 n> sets the window title to the version number. When
55using the @@URXVT_NAME@@c client, the version displayed is that of the
56daemon.
57
58=head3 Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?
59
60Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for something you
61don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings that
62you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by design,
63when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be loaded
64accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your characters.
65
66Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
67scrollback buffers: Without C<--enable-unicode3>, rxvt-unicode will use
686 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
69kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if full)
70use 10 Megabytes of memory. With C<--enable-unicode3> it gets worse, as
71rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
72
73=head3 How can I start @@URXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?
74
75Try C<@@URXVT_NAME@@d -f -o>, which tells @@URXVT_NAME@@d to open the
76display, create the listening socket and then fork.
77
78=head3 How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm? I need this to decide about setting colors etc.
79
80The original rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable "COLORTERM",
81so you can check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, JED,
82slrn, Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide
83whether or not to use color.
84
85=head3 How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?
86
87If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with DISPLAY_IS_IP and have enabled
88insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
89snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
90wasn't also compiled with ESCZ_ANSWER (as assumed in these snippets) then
91the COLORTERM variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from a
92regular xterm.
93
94Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
95snippets:
96
97 # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
98 [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
99 if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
100 stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
101 echo -n '^[Z'
102 read term_id
103 stty icanon echo
104 if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
105 echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
106 read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
107 fi
108 fi
109
110=head3 How do I compile the manual pages on my own?
111
112You need to have a recent version of perl installed as F</usr/bin/perl>,
113one that comes with F<pod2man>, F<pod2text> and F<pod2html>. Then go to
114the doc subdirectory and enter C<make alldoc>.
115
51=item Isn't rxvt supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat? 116=head3 Isn't rxvt-unicode supposed to be small? Don't all those features bloat?
52 117
53I often get asked about this, and I think, no, they didn't cause extra 118I often get asked about this, and I think, no, they didn't cause extra
54bloat. If you compare a minimal rxvt and a minimal urxvt, you can see 119bloat. If you compare a minimal rxvt and a minimal urxvt, you can see
55that the urxvt binary is larger (due to some encoding tables always being 120that the urxvt binary is larger (due to some encoding tables always being
56compiled in), but it actually uses less memory (RSS) after startup. Even 121compiled in), but it actually uses less memory (RSS) after startup. Even
60 125
61 text data bss drs rss filename 126 text data bss drs rss filename
62 98398 1664 24 15695 1824 rxvt --disable-everything 127 98398 1664 24 15695 1824 rxvt --disable-everything
63 188985 9048 66616 18222 1788 urxvt --disable-everything 128 188985 9048 66616 18222 1788 urxvt --disable-everything
64 129
65When you C<--enable-everything> (which _is_ unfair, as this involves xft 130When you C<--enable-everything> (which I<is> unfair, as this involves xft
66and full locale/XIM support which are quite bloaty inside libX11 and my 131and full locale/XIM support which are quite bloaty inside libX11 and my
67libc), the two diverge, but not unreasnobaly so. 132libc), the two diverge, but not unreasnobaly so.
68 133
69 text data bss drs rss filename 134 text data bss drs rss filename
70 163431 2152 24 20123 2060 rxvt --enable-everything 135 163431 2152 24 20123 2060 rxvt --enable-everything
88(21152k + extra 4204k in separate processes) or konsole (22200k + extra 153(21152k + extra 4204k in separate processes) or konsole (22200k + extra
8943180k in daemons that stay around after exit, plus half a minute of 15443180k in daemons that stay around after exit, plus half a minute of
90startup time, including the hundreds of warnings it spits out), it fares 155startup time, including the hundreds of warnings it spits out), it fares
91extremely well *g*. 156extremely well *g*.
92 157
93=item Why C++, isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool? 158=head3 Why C++, isn't that unportable/bloated/uncool?
94 159
95Is this a question? :) It comes up very often. The simple answer is: I had 160Is this a question? :) It comes up very often. The simple answer is: I had
96to write it, and C++ allowed me to write and maintain it in a fraction 161to write it, and C++ allowed me to write and maintain it in a fraction
97of the time and effort (which is a scarce resource for me). Put even 162of the time and effort (which is a scarce resource for me). Put even
98shorter: It simply wouldn't exist without C++. 163shorter: It simply wouldn't exist without C++.
122 /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000) 187 /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2 (0x00002aaaaaaab000)
123 188
124No large bloated libraries (of course, none were linked in statically), 189No large bloated libraries (of course, none were linked in statically),
125except maybe libX11 :) 190except maybe libX11 :)
126 191
127=item Does it support tabs, can I have a tabbed rxvt-unicode?
128 192
129rxvt-unicode does not directly support tabs. It will work fine with 193=head2 Rendering, Font & Look and Feel Issues
130tabbing functionality of many window managers or similar tabbing programs,
131and its embedding-features allow it to be embedded into other programs,
132as witnessed by F<doc/rxvt-tabbed> or the upcoming C<Gtk2::URxvt> perl
133module, which features a tabbed urxvt (murxvt) terminal as an example
134embedding application.
135 194
136=item How do I know which rxvt-unicode version I'm using? 195=head3 I can't get transparency working, what am I doing wrong?
137 196
138The version number is displayed with the usage (-h). Also the escape 197First of all, transparency isn't officially supported in rxvt-unicode, so
139sequence C<ESC [ 8 n> sets the window title to the version number. When 198you are mostly on your own. Do not bug the author about it (but you may
140using the @@RXVT_NAME@@c client, the version displayed is that of the 199bug everybody else). Also, if you can't get it working consider it a rite
141daemon. 200of passage: ... and you failed.
142 201
143=item I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem... 202Here are four ways to get transparency. B<Do> read the manpage and option
203descriptions for the programs mentioned and rxvt-unicode. Really, do it!
144 204
145The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode in sarge contains large 2051. Use inheritPixmap:
146patches that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode. Before
147reporting a bug to the original rxvt-unicode author please download and
148install the genuine version (L<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt-unicode>)
149and try to reproduce the problem. If you cannot, chances are that the
150problems are specific to Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be
151reported via the Debian Bug Tracking System (use C<reportbug> to report
152the bug).
153 206
154For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and 207 Esetroot wallpaper.jpg
155probably should use the Debian BTS, too, because, after all, it's also a 208 @@URXVT_NAME@@ -ip -tint red -sh 40
156bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for other users that
157might encounter the same issue.
158 209
159=item I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS XXX, any recommendation? 210That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack transparency and tinting
211support, or you are unable to read.
160 212
161You should build one binary with the default options. F<configure> 2132. Use a simple pixmap and emulate pseudo-transparency. This enables you
162now enables most useful options, and the trend goes to making them 214to use effects other than tinting and shading: Just shade/tint/whatever
163runtime-switchable, too, so there is usually no drawback to enbaling them, 215your picture with gimp or any other tool:
164except higher disk and possibly memory usage. The perl interpreter should
165be enabled, as important functionality (menus, selection, likely more in
166the future) depends on it.
167 216
168You should not overwrite the C<perl-ext-common> snd C<perl-ext> resources 217 convert wallpaper.jpg -blur 20x20 -modulate 30 background.xpm
169system-wide (except maybe with C<defaults>). This will result in useful 218 @@URXVT_NAME@@ -pixmap background.xpm -pe automove-background
170behaviour. If your distribution aims at low memory, add an empty
171C<perl-ext-common> resource to the app-defaults file. This will keep the
172perl interpreter disabled until the user enables it.
173 219
174If you can/want build more binaries, I recommend building a minimal 220That works. If you think it doesn't, you lack XPM and Perl support, or you
175one with C<--disable-everything> (very useful) and a maximal one with 221are unable to read.
176C<--enable-everything> (less useful, it will be very big due to a lot of
177encodings built-in that increase download times and are rarely used).
178 222
179=item I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my OS, is this safe? 2233. Use an ARGB visual:
180 224
181Likely not. While I honestly try to make it secure, and am probably not 225 @@URXVT_NAME@@ -depth 32 -fg grey90 -bg rgba:0000/0000/4444/cccc
182bad at it, I think it is simply unreasonable to expect all of freetype
183+ fontconfig + xft + xlib + perl + ... + rxvt-unicode itself to all be
184secure. Also, rxvt-unicode disables some options when it detects that it
185runs setuid or setgid, which is not nice. Besides, with the embedded perl
186interpreter the possibility for security problems easily multiplies.
187 226
188Elevated privileges are only required for utmp and pty operations on some 227This requires XFT support, and the support of your X-server. If that
189systems (for example, GNU/Linux doesn't need any extra privileges for 228doesn't work for you, blame Xorg and Keith Packard. ARGB visuals aren't
190ptys, but some need it for utmp support). It is planned to mvoe this into 229there yet, no matter what they claim. Rxvt-Unicode contains the neccessary
191a forked handler process, but this is not yet done. 230bugfixes and workarounds for Xft and Xlib to make it work, but that
231doesn't mean that your WM has the required kludges in place.
192 232
193So, while setuid/setgid operation is supported and not a problem on your 2334. Use xcompmgr and let it do the job:
194typical single-user-no-other-logins unix desktop, always remember that
195its an awful lot of code, most of which isn't checked for security issues
196regularly.
197 234
235 xprop -frame -f _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 32c \
236 -set _NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY 0xc0000000
237
238Then click on a window you want to make transparent. Replace C<0xc0000000>
239by other values to change the degree of opacity. If it doesn't work and
240your server crashes, you got to keep the pieces.
241
242=head3 Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?
243
244This is because there is a difference between script and language --
245rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output is,
246as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode first
247sees a japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese font for
248display. Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. Now, many
249chinese characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first
250non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese font
251-- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font for
252chinese characters that are also in the japanese font.
253
254The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font
255list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as
256a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font
257first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first.
258
259In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at
260runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using different
261fonts for the same character at the same time, but no interface for this
262has been designed yet).
263
264Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see L<Can
265I switch the fonts at runtime?> later in this document).
266
267=head3 Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?
268
269Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that character
270size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for terminal use might
271contain some characters that are simply too wide. Rxvt-unicode will avoid
272these characters. For characters that are just "a bit" too wide a special
273"careful" rendering mode is used that redraws adjacent characters.
274
275All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes,
276however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed bounding
277box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the correct way is to
278ask for the character bounding box, which unfortunately is wrong in these
279cases).
280
281It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, freetype,
282or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you might try using
283the C<-lsp> option to give the font more height. If that doesn't work, you
284might be forced to use a different font.
285
286All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their bounding
287box data is correct.
288
289=head3 How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?
290
291First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal settings
292(C<TERM=rxvt-unicode>), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then
293make sure you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise
294rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
295
296 URxvt.colorBD: white
297 URxvt.colorIT: green
298
299=head3 Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?
300
301For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very weird
302colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the standard
3038 colours (rxvt-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of course, to fix
304these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very good reasons.
305
306In the meantime, you can either edit your C<rxvt-unicode> terminfo
307definition to only claim 8 colour support or use C<TERM=rxvt>, which will
308fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
309
310=head3 Can I switch the fonts at runtime?
311
312Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has the same
313effect as using the C<-fn> switch, and takes effect immediately:
314
315 printf '\e]50;%s\007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
316
317This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
318japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
319japanese fonts would only be in your way.
320
321You can think of this as a kind of manual ISO-2022 switching.
322
323=head3 Why do italic characters look as if clipped?
324
325Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
326example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font C<xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
327Mono> completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might be to
328enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
329
330 URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
331 URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
332
333=head3 Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?
334
335Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as
336it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
337antialiasing (by appending C<:antialias=false>), which saves lots of
338memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
339
340=head3 Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?
341
342Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
343fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
344fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
345antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
346look best that way.
347
348If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
349
350=head3 What's with this bold/blink stuff?
351
352If no bold colour is set via C<colorBD:>, bold will invert text using the
353standard foreground colour.
354
355For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the
356text blink when compiled with C<--enable-blinking>. with standard
357colours. Without C<--enable-blinking>, the blink attribute will be
358ignored.
359
360On ANSI colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
361foreground/background colors.
362
363color0-7 are the low-intensity colors.
364
365color8-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
366
367=head3 I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?
368
369You can change the screen colors at run-time using F<~/.Xdefaults>
370resources (or as long-options).
371
372Here are values that are supposed to resemble a VGA screen,
373including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
374
375 URxvt.color0: #000000
376 URxvt.color1: #A80000
377 URxvt.color2: #00A800
378 URxvt.color3: #A8A800
379 URxvt.color4: #0000A8
380 URxvt.color5: #A800A8
381 URxvt.color6: #00A8A8
382 URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8
383
384 URxvt.color8: #000054
385 URxvt.color9: #FF0054
386 URxvt.color10: #00FF54
387 URxvt.color11: #FFFF54
388 URxvt.color12: #0000FF
389 URxvt.color13: #FF00FF
390 URxvt.color14: #00FFFF
391 URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF
392
393And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors described (not by
394me) as "pretty girly".
395
396 URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1
397 URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1
398 URxvt.background: #0e0e0e
399 URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1
400 URxvt.color0: #000000
401 URxvt.color8: #8b8f93
402 URxvt.color1: #dc74d1
403 URxvt.color9: #dc74d1
404 URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7
405 URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7
406 URxvt.color3: #dfe37e
407 URxvt.color11: #dfe37e
408 URxvt.color5: #9e88f0
409 URxvt.color13: #9e88f0
410 URxvt.color6: #73f7ff
411 URxvt.color14: #73f7ff
412 URxvt.color7: #e1dddd
413 URxvt.color15: #e1dddd
414
415=head3 Why do some characters look so much different than others?
416
417See next entry.
418
419=head3 How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts?
420
421Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is
422fine. Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of
423your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want
424to display.
425
426B<rxvt-unicode> makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement
427font. Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks
428bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that don't
429resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial
430intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe
431the font that the characters it claims to contain indeed look correct.
432
433In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list,
434e.g.:
435
436 @@URXVT_NAME@@ -fn basefont,font2,font3...
437
438When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base
439font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the
440next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this
441search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X-server.
442
443The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the base
444font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell size, which
445must be the same due to the way terminals work.
446
447
448=head2 Keyboard, Mouse & User Interaction
449
450=head3 The new selection selects pieces that are too big, how can I select single words?
451
452If you want to select e.g. alphanumeric words, you can use the following
453setting:
454
455 URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([[:word:]]+)
456
457If you click more than twice, the selection will be extended
458more and more.
459
460To get a selection that is very similar to the old code, try this pattern:
461
462 URxvt.selection.pattern-0: ([^"&'()*,;<=>?@[\\\\]^`{|})]+)
463
464Please also note that the I<LeftClick Shift-LeftClik> combination also
465selects words like the old code.
466
467=head3 I don't like the new selection/popups/hotkeys/perl, how do I change/disable it?
468
469You can disable the perl extension completely by setting the
470B<perl-ext-common> resource to the empty string, which also keeps
471rxvt-unicode from initialising perl, saving memory.
472
473If you only want to disable specific features, you first have to
474identify which perl extension is responsible. For this, read the section
475B<PREPACKAGED EXTENSIONS> in the @@URXVT_NAME@@perl(3) manpage. For
476example, to disable the B<selection-popup> and B<option-popup>, specify
477this B<perl-ext-common> resource:
478
479 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-selection-popup,-option-popup
480
481This will keep the default extensions, but disable the two popup
482extensions. Some extensions can also be configured, for example,
483scrollback search mode is triggered by B<M-s>. You can move it to any
484other combination either by setting the B<searchable-scrollback> resource:
485
486 URxvt.searchable-scrollback: CM-s
487
488=head3 The cursor moves when selecting text in the current input line, how do I switch this off?
489
490See next entry.
491
492=head3 During rlogin/ssh/telnet/etc. sessions, clicking near the cursor outputs strange escape sequences, how do I fix this?
493
494These are caused by the C<readline> perl extension. Under normal
495circumstances, it will move your cursor around when you click into the
496line that contains it. It tries hard not to do this at the wrong moment,
497but when running a program that doesn't parse cursor movements or in some
498cases during rlogin sessions, it fails to detect this properly.
499
500You can permamently switch this feature off by disabling the C<readline>
501extension:
502
503 URxvt.perl-ext-common: default,-readline
504
505=head3 My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?
506
507Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no
508specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is caused
509by the wrong C<TERM> setting, although the details of wether and how
510this can happen are unknown, as C<TERM=rxvt> should offer a compatible
511keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and please report if that
512helped.
513
514=head3 My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working.
515
516The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not set
517correctly, or you specified a B<preeditStyle> that is not supported by
518your input method. For example, if you specified B<OverTheSpot> and
519your input method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose keys)
520does not support this (for instance because it is not visual), then
521rxvt-unicode will continue without an input method.
522
523In this case either do not specify a B<preeditStyle> or specify more than
524one pre-edit style, such as B<OverTheSpot,Root,None>.
525
526=head3 I cannot type C<Ctrl-Shift-2> to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 14755
527
528Either try C<Ctrl-2> alone (it often is mapped to ASCII NUL even on
529international keyboards) or simply use ISO 14755 support to your
530advantage, typing <Ctrl-Shift-0> to get a ASCII NUL. This works for other
531codes, too, such as C<Ctrl-Shift-1-d> to type the default telnet escape
532character and so on.
533
534=head3 Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works.
535
536Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing
537some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've
538heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A
539quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
540depressed.
541
542=head3 What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?
543
544Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the
545BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following
546question) there are two standard values that can be used for
547Backspace: C<^H> and C<^?>.
548
549Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the debian
550policy of using C<^?> when unsure, because it's the one only only correct
551choice :).
552
553Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the value
554of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode wasn't
555started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell), then the
556system value of `erase', which corresponds to CERASE in <termios.h>, will
557be used (which may not be the same as your stty setting).
558
559For starting a new rxvt-unicode:
560
561 # use Backspace = ^H
562 $ stty erase ^H
563 $ @@URXVT_NAME@@
564
565 # use Backspace = ^?
566 $ stty erase ^?
567 $ @@URXVT_NAME@@
568
569Toggle with C<ESC [ 36 h> / C<ESC [ 36 l>.
570
571For an existing rxvt-unicode:
572
573 # use Backspace = ^H
574 $ stty erase ^H
575 $ echo -n "^[[36h"
576
577 # use Backspace = ^?
578 $ stty erase ^?
579 $ echo -n "^[[36l"
580
581This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
582if you use Backspace = C<^H>, make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
583properly reflects that.
584
585The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace problem.
586To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the Delete
587key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for Execute
588(C<ESC [ 3 ~>) and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
589
590Some other Backspace problems:
591
592some editors use termcap/terminfo,
593some editors (vim I'm told) expect Backspace = ^H,
594GNU Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
595
596Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
597
598=head3 I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?
599
600There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
601you have run "configure" with the C<--disable-resources> option you can
602use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with keysyms.
603
604Here's an example for a URxvt session started using C<@@URXVT_NAME@@ -name URxvt>
605
606 URxvt.keysym.Home: \033[1~
607 URxvt.keysym.End: \033[4~
608 URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \033<C-'>
609 URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \033<C-/>
610 URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \033<C-;>
611 URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \033<C-`>
612 URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \033<C-,>
613 URxvt.keysym.C-period: \033<C-.>
614 URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \033<C-`>
615 URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \033<C-Tab>
616 URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \033<C-Return>
617 URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \033<S-Return>
618 URxvt.keysym.S-space: \033<S-Space>
619 URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \033<M-Up>
620 URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \033<M-Down>
621 URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \033<M-Left>
622 URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \033<M-Right>
623 URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \033<M-C- 0123456789 >
624 URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz >
625 URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\033]701;zh_CN.GBK\007
626
627See some more examples in the documentation for the B<keysym> resource.
628
629=head3 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
630
631 KP_Insert == Insert
632 F22 == Print
633 F27 == Home
634 F29 == Prior
635 F33 == End
636 F35 == Next
637
638Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various possible
639keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the keys as
640required for your particular machine.
641
642
643
644=head2 Terminal Configuration
645
646=head3 Why doesn't rxvt-unicode read my resources?
647
648Well, why, indeed? It does, in a way very similar to other X
649applications. Most importantly, this means that if you or your OS loads
650resources into the X display (the right way to do it), rxvt-unicode will
651ignore any resource files in your home directory. It will only read
652F<$HOME/.Xdefaults> when no resources are attached to the display.
653
654If you have or use an F<$HOME/.Xresources> file, chances are that
655resources are loaded into your X-server. In this case, you have to
656re-login after every change (or run F<xrdb -merge $HOME/.Xresources>).
657
658Also consider the form resources have to use:
659
660 URxvt.resource: value
661
662If you want to use another form (there are lots of different ways of
663specifying resources), make sure you understand wether and why it
664works. If unsure, use the form above.
665
198=item When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data? 666=head3 When I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?
199 667
200The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available 668The terminal description used by rxvt-unicode is not as widely available
201as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often arises). 669as that for xterm, or even rxvt (for which the same problem often arises).
202 670
203The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this can 671The correct solution for this problem is to install the terminfo, this can
219resource to set it: 687resource to set it:
220 688
221 URxvt.termName: rxvt 689 URxvt.termName: rxvt
222 690
223If you don't plan to use B<rxvt> (quite common...) you could also replace 691If you don't plan to use B<rxvt> (quite common...) you could also replace
224the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one. 692the rxvt terminfo file with the rxvt-unicode one and use C<TERM=rxvt>.
225 693
226=item C<tic> outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry. 694=head3 C<tic> outputs some error when compiling the terminfo entry.
227 695
228Most likely it's the empty definition for C<enacs=>. Just replace it by 696Most likely it's the empty definition for C<enacs=>. Just replace it by
229C<enacs=\E[0@> and try again. 697C<enacs=\E[0@> and try again.
230 698
231=item C<bash>'s readline does not work correctly under @@RXVT_NAME@@. 699=head3 C<bash>'s readline does not work correctly under @@URXVT_NAME@@.
232 700
701See next entry.
702
233=item I need a termcap file entry. 703=head3 I need a termcap file entry.
234 704
235One reason you might want this is that some distributions or operating 705One reason you might want this is that some distributions or operating
236systems still compile some programs using the long-obsoleted termcap 706systems still compile some programs using the long-obsoleted termcap
237library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) and rely on a termcap entry 707library (Fedora Core's bash is one example) and rely on a termcap entry
238for C<rxvt-unicode>. 708for C<rxvt-unicode>.
264 :sc=\E7:se=\E[27m:sf=^J:so=\E[7m:sr=\EM:st=\EH:ta=^I:\ 734 :sc=\E7:se=\E[27m:sf=^J:so=\E[7m:sr=\EM:st=\EH:ta=^I:\
265 :te=\E[r\E[?1049l:ti=\E[?1049h:ue=\E[24m:up=\E[A:\ 735 :te=\E[r\E[?1049l:ti=\E[?1049h:ue=\E[24m:up=\E[A:\
266 :us=\E[4m:vb=\E[?5h\E[?5l:ve=\E[?25h:vi=\E[?25l:\ 736 :us=\E[4m:vb=\E[?5h\E[?5l:ve=\E[?25h:vi=\E[?25l:\
267 :vs=\E[?25h: 737 :vs=\E[?25h:
268 738
269=item Why does C<ls> no longer have coloured output? 739=head3 Why does C<ls> no longer have coloured output?
270 740
271The C<ls> in the GNU coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to 741The C<ls> in the GNU coreutils unfortunately doesn't use terminfo to
272decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration 742decide wether a terminal has colour, but uses it's own configuration
273file. Needless to say, C<rxvt-unicode> is not in it's default file (among 743file. Needless to say, C<rxvt-unicode> is not in it's default file (among
274with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add: 744with most other terminals supporting colour). Either add:
279 749
280 alias ls='ls --color=auto' 750 alias ls='ls --color=auto'
281 751
282to your C<.profile> or C<.bashrc>. 752to your C<.profile> or C<.bashrc>.
283 753
284=item Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode? 754=head3 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. use the 88 colour mode?
285 755
756See next entry.
757
286=item Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic? 758=head3 Why doesn't vim/emacs etc. make use of italic?
287 759
760See next entry.
761
288=item Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly? 762=head3 Why are the secondary screen-related options not working properly?
289 763
290Make sure you are using C<TERM=rxvt-unicode>. Some pre-packaged 764Make sure you are using C<TERM=rxvt-unicode>. Some pre-packaged
291distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode 765distributions (most notably Debian GNU/Linux) break rxvt-unicode
292by setting C<TERM> to C<rxvt>, which doesn't have these extra 766by setting C<TERM> to C<rxvt>, which doesn't have these extra
293features. Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian 767features. Unfortunately, some of these (most notably, again, Debian
294GNU/Linux) furthermore fail to even install the C<rxvt-unicode> terminfo 768GNU/Linux) furthermore fail to even install the C<rxvt-unicode> terminfo
295file, so you will need to install it on your own (See the question B<When 769file, so you will need to install it on your own (See the question B<When
296I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?> on 770I log-in to another system it tells me about missing terminfo data?> on
297how to do this). 771how to do this).
298 772
299=item My numerical keypad acts weird and generates differing output?
300 773
301Some Debian GNUL/Linux users seem to have this problem, although no 774=head2 Encoding / Locale / Input Method Issues
302specific details were reported so far. It is possible that this is caused
303by the wrong C<TERM> setting, although the details of wether and how
304this can happen are unknown, as C<TERM=rxvt> should offer a compatible
305keymap. See the answer to the previous question, and please report if that
306helped.
307 775
308=item Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding? 776=head3 Rxvt-unicode does not seem to understand the selected encoding?
309 777
778See next entry.
779
310=item Unicode does not seem to work? 780=head3 Unicode does not seem to work?
311 781
312If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but 782If you encounter strange problems like typing an accented character but
313getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output is 783getting two unrelated other characters or similar, or if program output is
314subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings. 784subtly garbled, then you should check your locale settings.
315 785
335 805
336If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then 806If nothing works and you are sure that everything is set correctly then
337you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't 807you will need to remember a little known fact: Some programs just don't
338support locales :( 808support locales :(
339 809
340=item Why do some characters look so much different than others? 810=head3 How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?
341 811
342=item How does rxvt-unicode choose fonts? 812See next entry.
343 813
344Most fonts do not contain the full range of Unicode, which is 814=head3 Is there an option to switch encodings?
345fine. Chances are that the font you (or the admin/package maintainer of
346your system/os) have specified does not cover all the characters you want
347to display.
348 815
349B<rxvt-unicode> makes a best-effort try at finding a replacement 816Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
350font. Often the result is fine, but sometimes the chosen font looks 817specific "utf-8" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know about
351bad/ugly/wrong. Some fonts have totally strange characters that don't 818UTF-8 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
352resemble the correct glyph at all, and rxvt-unicode lacks the artificial
353intelligence to detect that a specific glyph is wrong: it has to believe
354the font that the characters it claims to contain indeed look correct.
355 819
356In that case, select a font of your taste and add it to the font list, 820The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for selecting
357e.g.: 821the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating this to all
358 822applications so everybody agrees on character properties such as width
359 @@RXVT_NAME@@ -fn basefont,font2,font3... 823and code number. This mechanism is the I<locale>. Applications not using
360 824that info will have problems (for example, C<xterm> gets the width of
361When rxvt-unicode sees a character, it will first look at the base 825characters wrong as it uses it's own, locale-independent table under all
362font. If the base font does not contain the character, it will go to the
363next font, and so on. Specifying your own fonts will also speed up this
364search and use less resources within rxvt-unicode and the X-server.
365
366The only limitation is that none of the fonts may be larger than the base
367font, as the base font defines the terminal character cell size, which
368must be the same due to the way terminals work.
369
370=item Why do some chinese characters look so different than others?
371
372This is because there is a difference between script and language --
373rxvt-unicode does not know which language the text that is output is,
374as it only knows the unicode character codes. If rxvt-unicode first
375sees a japanese/chinese character, it might choose a japanese font for
376display. Subsequent japanese characters will use that font. Now, many
377chinese characters aren't represented in japanese fonts, so when the first
378non-japanese character comes up, rxvt-unicode will look for a chinese font
379-- unfortunately at this point, it will still use the japanese font for
380chinese characters that are also in the japanese font.
381
382The workaround is easy: just tag a chinese font at the end of your font
383list (see the previous question). The key is to view the font list as
384a preference list: If you expect more japanese, list a japanese font
385first. If you expect more chinese, put a chinese font first.
386
387In the future it might be possible to switch language preferences at
388runtime (the internal data structure has no problem with using different
389fonts for the same character at the same time, but no interface for this
390has been designed yet).
391
392Until then, you might get away with switching fonts at runtime (see L<Can
393I switch the fonts at runtime?> later in this document).
394
395=item Why does rxvt-unicode sometimes leave pixel droppings?
396
397Most fonts were not designed for terminal use, which means that character
398size varies a lot. A font that is otherwise fine for terminal use might
399contain some characters that are simply too wide. Rxvt-unicode will avoid
400these characters. For characters that are just "a bit" too wide a special
401"careful" rendering mode is used that redraws adjacent characters.
402
403All of this requires that fonts do not lie about character sizes,
404however: Xft fonts often draw glyphs larger than their acclaimed bounding
405box, and rxvt-unicode has no way of detecting this (the correct way is to
406ask for the character bounding box, which unfortunately is wrong in these
407cases). 826locales).
408 827
409It's not clear (to me at least), wether this is a bug in Xft, freetype, 828Rxvt-unicode uses the C<LC_CTYPE> locale category to select encoding. All
410or the respective font. If you encounter this problem you might try using 829programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
411the C<-lsp> option to give the font more height. If that doesn't work, you 830interpretation of characters.
412might be forced to use a different font.
413 831
414All of this is not a problem when using X11 core fonts, as their bounding 832Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
415box data is correct. 833is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
416 834
835On most systems, the content of the C<LC_CTYPE> environment variable
836contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
837locale. Common names for locales are C<en_US.UTF-8>, C<de_DE.ISO-8859-15>,
838C<ja_JP.EUC-JP>, i.e. C<language_country.encoding>, but other forms
839(i.e. C<de> or C<german>) are also common.
840
841Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for
842the encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings,
843i.e. C<de_DE.UTF-8> and C<ja_JP.UTF-8> are the normally same to
844rxvt-unicode.
845
846If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
847rxvt-unicode with the correct C<LC_CTYPE> category.
848
849=head3 Can I switch locales at runtime?
850
851Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets
852rxvt-unicode's idea of C<LC_CTYPE>.
853
854 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
855
856See also the previous answer.
857
858Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in
859one locale (e.g. C<de_DE.UTF-8>) but some programs don't support it
860(e.g. UTF-8). For example, I use this script to start C<xjdic>, which
861first switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
862
863 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
864 xjdic -js
865 printf '\e]701;%s\007' de_DE.UTF-8
866
867You can also use xterm's C<luit> program, which usually works fine, except
868for some locales where character width differs between program- and
869rxvt-unicode-locales.
870
871=head3 My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?
872
873You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of the
874terminal, using the resource C<imlocale>:
875
876 URxvt.imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
877
878Now you can start your terminal with C<LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF-8> and still
879use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able to
880input characters outside C<EUC-JP> in a normal way then, as your input
881method limits you.
882
883=head3 Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits.
884
885Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the XIM protocol is racy by
886design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory
887leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering at
888exit time. B<kinput2> (and derived input methods) generally succeeds,
889while B<SCIM> (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, however,
890crashes cannot be completely avoided even if both sides cooperate.
891
892So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers.
893
894
895=head2 Operating Systems / Package Maintaining
896
897=head3 I am using Debian GNU/Linux and have a problem...
898
899The Debian GNU/Linux package of rxvt-unicode in sarge contains large
900patches that considerably change the behaviour of rxvt-unicode (but
901unfortunately this notice has been removed). Before reporting a bug to
902the original rxvt-unicode author please download and install the genuine
903version (L<http://software.schmorp.de#rxvt-unicode>) and try to reproduce
904the problem. If you cannot, chances are that the problems are specific to
905Debian GNU/Linux, in which case it should be reported via the Debian Bug
906Tracking System (use C<reportbug> to report the bug).
907
908For other problems that also affect the Debian package, you can and
909probably should use the Debian BTS, too, because, after all, it's also a
910bug in the Debian version and it serves as a reminder for other users that
911might encounter the same issue.
912
913=head3 I am maintaining rxvt-unicode for distribution/OS XXX, any recommendation?
914
915You should build one binary with the default options. F<configure>
916now enables most useful options, and the trend goes to making them
917runtime-switchable, too, so there is usually no drawback to enbaling them,
918except higher disk and possibly memory usage. The perl interpreter should
919be enabled, as important functionality (menus, selection, likely more in
920the future) depends on it.
921
922You should not overwrite the C<perl-ext-common> snd C<perl-ext> resources
923system-wide (except maybe with C<defaults>). This will result in useful
924behaviour. If your distribution aims at low memory, add an empty
925C<perl-ext-common> resource to the app-defaults file. This will keep the
926perl interpreter disabled until the user enables it.
927
928If you can/want build more binaries, I recommend building a minimal
929one with C<--disable-everything> (very useful) and a maximal one with
930C<--enable-everything> (less useful, it will be very big due to a lot of
931encodings built-in that increase download times and are rarely used).
932
933=head3 I need to make it setuid/setgid to support utmp/ptys on my OS, is this safe?
934
935It should be, starting with release 7.1. You are encouraged to properly
936install urxvt with privileges necessary for your OS now.
937
938When rxvt-unicode detects that it runs setuid or setgid, it will fork
939into a helper process for privileged operations (pty handling on some
940systems, utmp/wtmp/lastlog handling on others) and drop privileges
941immediately. This is much safer than most other terminals that keep
942privileges while running (but is more relevant to urxvt, as it contains
943things as perl interpreters, which might be "helpful" to attackers).
944
945This forking is done as the very first within main(), which is very early
946and reduces possible bugs to initialisation code run before main(), or
947things like the dynamic loader of your system, which should result in very
948little risk.
949
417=item On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide. 950=head3 On Solaris 9, many line-drawing characters are too wide.
418 951
419Seems to be a known bug, read 952Seems to be a known bug, read
420L<http://nixdoc.net/files/forum/about34198.html>. Some people use the 953L<http://nixdoc.net/files/forum/about34198.html>. Some people use the
421following ugly workaround to get non-double-wide-characters working: 954following ugly workaround to get non-double-wide-characters working:
422 955
423 #define wcwidth(x) wcwidth(x) > 1 ? 1 : wcwidth(x) 956 #define wcwidth(x) wcwidth(x) > 1 ? 1 : wcwidth(x)
424 957
425=item My Compose (Multi_key) key is no longer working.
426
427The most common causes for this are that either your locale is not set
428correctly, or you specified a B<preeditStyle> that is not supported by
429your input method. For example, if you specified B<OverTheSpot> and
430your input method (e.g. the default input method handling Compose keys)
431does not support this (for instance because it is not visual), then
432rxvt-unicode will continue without an input method.
433
434In this case either do not specify a B<preeditStyle> or specify more than
435one pre-edit style, such as B<OverTheSpot,Root,None>.
436
437=item I cannot type C<Ctrl-Shift-2> to get an ASCII NUL character due to ISO 14755
438
439Either try C<Ctrl-2> alone (it often is mapped to ASCII NUL even on
440international keyboards) or simply use ISO 14755 support to your
441advantage, typing <Ctrl-Shift-0> to get a ASCII NUL. This works for other
442codes, too, such as C<Ctrl-Shift-1-d> to type the default telnet escape
443character and so on.
444
445=item How can I keep rxvt-unicode from using reverse video so much?
446
447First of all, make sure you are running with the right terminal settings
448(C<TERM=rxvt-unicode>), which will get rid of most of these effects. Then
449make sure you have specified colours for italic and bold, as otherwise
450rxvt-unicode might use reverse video to simulate the effect:
451
452 URxvt.colorBD: white
453 URxvt.colorIT: green
454
455=item Some programs assume totally weird colours (red instead of blue), how can I fix that?
456
457For some unexplainable reason, some rare programs assume a very weird
458colour palette when confronted with a terminal with more than the standard
4598 colours (rxvt-unicode supports 88). The right fix is, of course, to fix
460these programs not to assume non-ISO colours without very good reasons.
461
462In the meantime, you can either edit your C<rxvt-unicode> terminfo
463definition to only claim 8 colour support or use C<TERM=rxvt>, which will
464fix colours but keep you from using other rxvt-unicode features.
465
466=item I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all. 958=head3 I am on FreeBSD and rxvt-unicode does not seem to work at all.
467 959
468Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol C<__STDC_ISO_10646__> to be defined 960Rxvt-unicode requires the symbol C<__STDC_ISO_10646__> to be defined
469in your compile environment, or an implementation that implements it, 961in your compile environment, or an implementation that implements it,
470wether it defines the symbol or not. C<__STDC_ISO_10646__> requires that 962wether it defines the symbol or not. C<__STDC_ISO_10646__> requires that
471B<wchar_t> is represented as unicode. 963B<wchar_t> is represented as unicode.
493 985
494The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in the 986The rxvt-unicode author insists that the right way to fix this is in the
495system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app to carry 987system libraries once and for all, instead of forcing every app to carry
496complete replacements for them :) 988complete replacements for them :)
497 989
498=item I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc. 990=head3 I use Solaris 9 and it doesn't compile/work/etc.
499 991
500Try the diff in F<doc/solaris9.patch> as a base. It fixes the worst 992Try the diff in F<doc/solaris9.patch> as a base. It fixes the worst
501problems with C<wcwidth> and a compile problem. 993problems with C<wcwidth> and a compile problem.
502 994
503=item How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin? 995=head3 How can I use rxvt-unicode under cygwin?
504 996
505rxvt-unicode should compile and run out of the box on cygwin, using 997rxvt-unicode should compile and run out of the box on cygwin, using
506the X11 libraries that come with cygwin. libW11 emulation is no 998the X11 libraries that come with cygwin. libW11 emulation is no
507longer supported (and makes no sense, either, as it only supported a 999longer supported (and makes no sense, either, as it only supported a
508single font). I recommend starting the X-server in C<-multiwindow> or 1000single font). I recommend starting the X-server in C<-multiwindow> or
511 1003
512At the time of this writing, cygwin didn't seem to support any multi-byte 1004At the time of this writing, cygwin didn't seem to support any multi-byte
513encodings (you might try C<LC_CTYPE=C-UTF-8>), so you are likely limited 1005encodings (you might try C<LC_CTYPE=C-UTF-8>), so you are likely limited
514to 8-bit encodings. 1006to 8-bit encodings.
515 1007
516=item How does rxvt-unicode determine the encoding to use?
517
518=item Is there an option to switch encodings?
519
520Unlike some other terminals, rxvt-unicode has no encoding switch, and no
521specific "utf-8" mode, such as xterm. In fact, it doesn't even know about
522UTF-8 or any other encodings with respect to terminal I/O.
523
524The reasons is that there exists a perfectly fine mechanism for selecting
525the encoding, doing I/O and (most important) communicating this to all
526applications so everybody agrees on character properties such as width
527and code number. This mechanism is the I<locale>. Applications not using
528that info will have problems (for example, C<xterm> gets the width of
529characters wrong as it uses it's own, locale-independent table under all
530locales).
531
532Rxvt-unicode uses the C<LC_CTYPE> locale category to select encoding. All
533programs doing the same (that is, most) will automatically agree in the
534interpretation of characters.
535
536Unfortunately, there is no system-independent way to select locales, nor
537is there a standard on how locale specifiers will look like.
538
539On most systems, the content of the C<LC_CTYPE> environment variable
540contains an arbitrary string which corresponds to an already-installed
541locale. Common names for locales are C<en_US.UTF-8>, C<de_DE.ISO-8859-15>,
542C<ja_JP.EUC-JP>, i.e. C<language_country.encoding>, but other forms
543(i.e. C<de> or C<german>) are also common.
544
545Rxvt-unicode ignores all other locale categories, and except for
546the encoding, ignores country or language-specific settings,
547i.e. C<de_DE.UTF-8> and C<ja_JP.UTF-8> are the normally same to
548rxvt-unicode.
549
550If you want to use a specific encoding you have to make sure you start
551rxvt-unicode with the correct C<LC_CTYPE> category.
552
553=item Can I switch locales at runtime?
554
555Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which sets
556rxvt-unicode's idea of C<LC_CTYPE>.
557
558 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
559
560See also the previous answer.
561
562Sometimes this capability is rather handy when you want to work in
563one locale (e.g. C<de_DE.UTF-8>) but some programs don't support it
564(e.g. UTF-8). For example, I use this script to start C<xjdic>, which
565first switches to a locale supported by xjdic and back later:
566
567 printf '\e]701;%s\007' ja_JP.SJIS
568 xjdic -js
569 printf '\e]701;%s\007' de_DE.UTF-8
570
571You can also use xterm's C<luit> program, which usually works fine, except
572for some locales where character width differs between program- and
573rxvt-unicode-locales.
574
575=item Can I switch the fonts at runtime?
576
577Yes, using an escape sequence. Try something like this, which has the same
578effect as using the C<-fn> switch, and takes effect immediately:
579
580 printf '\e]50;%s\007' "9x15bold,xft:Kochi Gothic"
581
582This is useful if you e.g. work primarily with japanese (and prefer a
583japanese font), but you have to switch to chinese temporarily, where
584japanese fonts would only be in your way.
585
586You can think of this as a kind of manual ISO-2022 switching.
587
588=item Why do italic characters look as if clipped?
589
590Many fonts have difficulties with italic characters and hinting. For
591example, the otherwise very nicely hinted font C<xft:Bitstream Vera Sans
592Mono> completely fails in it's italic face. A workaround might be to
593enable freetype autohinting, i.e. like this:
594
595 URxvt.italicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:italic:autohint=true
596 URxvt.boldItalicFont: xft:Bitstream Vera Sans Mono:bold:italic:autohint=true
597
598=item My input method wants <some encoding> but I want UTF-8, what can I do?
599
600You can specify separate locales for the input method and the rest of the
601terminal, using the resource C<imlocale>:
602
603 URxvt*imlocale: ja_JP.EUC-JP
604
605Now you can start your terminal with C<LC_CTYPE=ja_JP.UTF-8> and still
606use your input method. Please note, however, that you will not be able to
607input characters outside C<EUC-JP> in a normal way then, as your input
608method limits you.
609
610=item Rxvt-unicode crashes when the X Input Method changes or exits.
611
612Unfortunately, this is unavoidable, as the XIM protocol is racy by
613design. Applications can avoid some crashes at the expense of memory
614leaks, and Input Methods can avoid some crashes by careful ordering at
615exit time. B<kinput2> (and derived input methods) generally succeeds,
616while B<SCIM> (or similar input methods) fails. In the end, however,
617crashes cannot be completely avoided even if both sides cooperate.
618
619So the only workaround is not to kill your Input Method Servers.
620
621=item Rxvt-unicode uses gobs of memory, how can I reduce that?
622
623Rxvt-unicode tries to obey the rule of not charging you for something you
624don't use. One thing you should try is to configure out all settings that
625you don't need, for example, Xft support is a resource hog by design,
626when used. Compiling it out ensures that no Xft font will be loaded
627accidentally when rxvt-unicode tries to find a font for your characters.
628
629Also, many people (me included) like large windows and even larger
630scrollback buffers: Without C<--enable-unicode3>, rxvt-unicode will use
6316 bytes per screen cell. For a 160x?? window this amounts to almost a
632kilobyte per line. A scrollback buffer of 10000 lines will then (if full)
633use 10 Megabytes of memory. With C<--enable-unicode3> it gets worse, as
634rxvt-unicode then uses 8 bytes per screen cell.
635
636=item Can I speed up Xft rendering somehow?
637
638Yes, the most obvious way to speed it up is to avoid Xft entirely, as
639it is simply slow. If you still want Xft fonts you might try to disable
640antialiasing (by appending C<:antialias=false>), which saves lots of
641memory and also speeds up rendering considerably.
642
643=item Rxvt-unicode doesn't seem to anti-alias its fonts, what is wrong?
644
645Rxvt-unicode will use whatever you specify as a font. If it needs to
646fall back to it's default font search list it will prefer X11 core
647fonts, because they are small and fast, and then use Xft fonts. It has
648antialiasing disabled for most of them, because the author thinks they
649look best that way.
650
651If you want antialiasing, you have to specify the fonts manually.
652
653=item Mouse cut/paste suddenly no longer works.
654
655Make sure that mouse reporting is actually turned off since killing
656some editors prematurely may leave the mouse in mouse report mode. I've
657heard that tcsh may use mouse reporting unless it otherwise specified. A
658quick check is to see if cut/paste works when the Alt or Shift keys are
659depressed. See @@RXVT_NAME@@(7)
660
661=item What's with this bold/blink stuff?
662
663If no bold colour is set via C<colorBD:>, bold will invert text using the
664standard foreground colour.
665
666For the standard background colour, blinking will actually make the
667text blink when compiled with C<--enable-blinking>. with standard
668colours. Without C<--enable-blinking>, the blink attribute will be
669ignored.
670
671On ANSI colours, bold/blink attributes are used to set high-intensity
672foreground/background colors.
673
674color0-7 are the low-intensity colors.
675
676color8-15 are the corresponding high-intensity colors.
677
678=item I don't like the screen colors. How do I change them?
679
680You can change the screen colors at run-time using F<~/.Xdefaults>
681resources (or as long-options).
682
683Here are values that are supposed to resemble a VGA screen,
684including the murky brown that passes for low-intensity yellow:
685
686 URxvt.color0: #000000
687 URxvt.color1: #A80000
688 URxvt.color2: #00A800
689 URxvt.color3: #A8A800
690 URxvt.color4: #0000A8
691 URxvt.color5: #A800A8
692 URxvt.color6: #00A8A8
693 URxvt.color7: #A8A8A8
694
695 URxvt.color8: #000054
696 URxvt.color9: #FF0054
697 URxvt.color10: #00FF54
698 URxvt.color11: #FFFF54
699 URxvt.color12: #0000FF
700 URxvt.color13: #FF00FF
701 URxvt.color14: #00FFFF
702 URxvt.color15: #FFFFFF
703
704And here is a more complete set of non-standard colors described (not by
705me) as "pretty girly".
706
707 URxvt.cursorColor: #dc74d1
708 URxvt.pointerColor: #dc74d1
709 URxvt.background: #0e0e0e
710 URxvt.foreground: #4ad5e1
711 URxvt.color0: #000000
712 URxvt.color8: #8b8f93
713 URxvt.color1: #dc74d1
714 URxvt.color9: #dc74d1
715 URxvt.color2: #0eb8c7
716 URxvt.color10: #0eb8c7
717 URxvt.color3: #dfe37e
718 URxvt.color11: #dfe37e
719 URxvt.color5: #9e88f0
720 URxvt.color13: #9e88f0
721 URxvt.color6: #73f7ff
722 URxvt.color14: #73f7ff
723 URxvt.color7: #e1dddd
724 URxvt.color15: #e1dddd
725
726=item How can I start @@RXVT_NAME@@d in a race-free way?
727
728Try C<@@RXVT_NAME@@d -f -o>, which tells @@RXVT_NAME@@d to open the
729display, create the listening socket and then fork.
730
731=item What's with the strange Backspace/Delete key behaviour?
732
733Assuming that the physical Backspace key corresponds to the
734BackSpace keysym (not likely for Linux ... see the following
735question) there are two standard values that can be used for
736Backspace: C<^H> and C<^?>.
737
738Historically, either value is correct, but rxvt-unicode adopts the debian
739policy of using C<^?> when unsure, because it's the one only only correct
740choice :).
741
742Rxvt-unicode tries to inherit the current stty settings and uses the value
743of `erase' to guess the value for backspace. If rxvt-unicode wasn't
744started from a terminal (say, from a menu or by remote shell), then the
745system value of `erase', which corresponds to CERASE in <termios.h>, will
746be used (which may not be the same as your stty setting).
747
748For starting a new rxvt-unicode:
749
750 # use Backspace = ^H
751 $ stty erase ^H
752 $ @@RXVT_NAME@@
753
754 # use Backspace = ^?
755 $ stty erase ^?
756 $ @@RXVT_NAME@@
757
758Toggle with C<ESC [ 36 h> / C<ESC [ 36 l> as documented in @@RXVT_NAME@@(7).
759
760For an existing rxvt-unicode:
761
762 # use Backspace = ^H
763 $ stty erase ^H
764 $ echo -n "^[[36h"
765
766 # use Backspace = ^?
767 $ stty erase ^?
768 $ echo -n "^[[36l"
769
770This helps satisfy some of the Backspace discrepancies that occur, but
771if you use Backspace = C<^H>, make sure that the termcap/terminfo value
772properly reflects that.
773
774The Delete key is a another casualty of the ill-defined Backspace problem.
775To avoid confusion between the Backspace and Delete keys, the Delete
776key has been assigned an escape sequence to match the vt100 for Execute
777(C<ESC [ 3 ~>) and is in the supplied termcap/terminfo.
778
779Some other Backspace problems:
780
781some editors use termcap/terminfo,
782some editors (vim I'm told) expect Backspace = ^H,
783GNU Emacs (and Emacs-like editors) use ^H for help.
784
785Perhaps someday this will all be resolved in a consistent manner.
786
787=item I don't like the key-bindings. How do I change them?
788
789There are some compile-time selections available via configure. Unless
790you have run "configure" with the C<--disable-resources> option you can
791use the `keysym' resource to alter the keystrings associated with keysyms.
792
793Here's an example for a URxvt session started using C<@@RXVT_NAME@@ -name URxvt>
794
795 URxvt.keysym.Home: \033[1~
796 URxvt.keysym.End: \033[4~
797 URxvt.keysym.C-apostrophe: \033<C-'>
798 URxvt.keysym.C-slash: \033<C-/>
799 URxvt.keysym.C-semicolon: \033<C-;>
800 URxvt.keysym.C-grave: \033<C-`>
801 URxvt.keysym.C-comma: \033<C-,>
802 URxvt.keysym.C-period: \033<C-.>
803 URxvt.keysym.C-0x60: \033<C-`>
804 URxvt.keysym.C-Tab: \033<C-Tab>
805 URxvt.keysym.C-Return: \033<C-Return>
806 URxvt.keysym.S-Return: \033<S-Return>
807 URxvt.keysym.S-space: \033<S-Space>
808 URxvt.keysym.M-Up: \033<M-Up>
809 URxvt.keysym.M-Down: \033<M-Down>
810 URxvt.keysym.M-Left: \033<M-Left>
811 URxvt.keysym.M-Right: \033<M-Right>
812 URxvt.keysym.M-C-0: list \033<M-C- 0123456789 >
813 URxvt.keysym.M-C-a: list \033<M-C- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz >
814 URxvt.keysym.F12: command:\033]701;zh_CN.GBK\007
815
816See some more examples in the documentation for the B<keysym> resource.
817
818=item I'm using keyboard model XXX that has extra Prior/Next/Insert keys.
819How do I make use of them? For example, the Sun Keyboard type 4
820has the following mappings that rxvt-unicode doesn't recognize.
821
822 KP_Insert == Insert
823 F22 == Print
824 F27 == Home
825 F29 == Prior
826 F33 == End
827 F35 == Next
828
829Rather than have rxvt-unicode try to accommodate all the various possible
830keyboard mappings, it is better to use `xmodmap' to remap the keys as
831required for your particular machine.
832
833=item How do I distinguish wether I'm running rxvt-unicode or a regular xterm?
834I need this to decide about setting colors etc.
835
836rxvt and rxvt-unicode always export the variable "COLORTERM", so you can
837check and see if that is set. Note that several programs, JED, slrn,
838Midnight Commander automatically check this variable to decide whether or
839not to use color.
840
841=item How do I set the correct, full IP address for the DISPLAY variable?
842
843If you've compiled rxvt-unicode with DISPLAY_IS_IP and have enabled
844insecure mode then it is possible to use the following shell script
845snippets to correctly set the display. If your version of rxvt-unicode
846wasn't also compiled with ESCZ_ANSWER (as assumed in these snippets) then
847the COLORTERM variable can be used to distinguish rxvt-unicode from a
848regular xterm.
849
850Courtesy of Chuck Blake <cblake@BBN.COM> with the following shell script
851snippets:
852
853 # Bourne/Korn/POSIX family of shells:
854 [ ${TERM:-foo} = foo ] && TERM=xterm # assume an xterm if we don't know
855 if [ ${TERM:-foo} = xterm ]; then
856 stty -icanon -echo min 0 time 15 # see if enhanced rxvt or not
857 echo -n '^[Z'
858 read term_id
859 stty icanon echo
860 if [ ""${term_id} = '^[[?1;2C' -a ${DISPLAY:-foo} = foo ]; then
861 echo -n '^[[7n' # query the rxvt we are in for the DISPLAY string
862 read DISPLAY # set it in our local shell
863 fi
864 fi
865
866=item How do I compile the manual pages for myself?
867
868You need to have a recent version of perl installed as F</usr/bin/perl>,
869one that comes with F<pod2man>, F<pod2text> and F<pod2html>. Then go to
870the doc subdirectory and enter C<make alldoc>.
871
872=item My question isn't answered here, can I ask a human?
873
874Before sending me mail, you could go to IRC: C<irc.freenode.net>,
875channel C<#rxvt-unicode> has some rxvt-unicode enthusiasts that might be
876interested in learning about new and exciting problems (but not FAQs :).
877
878=back
879
880=head1 RXVT TECHNICAL REFERENCE 1008=head1 RXVT-UNICODE TECHNICAL REFERENCE
881 1009
882=head1 DESCRIPTION 1010=head1 DESCRIPTION
883 1011
884The rest of this document describes various technical aspects of 1012The rest of this document describes various technical aspects of
885B<rxvt-unicode>. First the description of supported command sequences, 1013B<rxvt-unicode>. First the description of supported command sequences,
886followed by menu and pixmap support and last by a description of all 1014followed by pixmap support and last by a description of all features
887features selectable at C<configure> time. 1015selectable at C<configure> time.
888 1016
889=head1 Definitions 1017=head1 Definitions
890 1018
891=over 4 1019=over 4
892 1020
1460 B<< C<h> >> Send Mouse X & Y on button press. 1588 B<< C<h> >> Send Mouse X & Y on button press.
1461 B<< C<l> >> No mouse reporting. 1589 B<< C<l> >> No mouse reporting.
1462 1590
1463=end table 1591=end table
1464 1592
1465=item B<< C<Ps = 10> >> (B<rxvt>)
1466
1467=begin table
1468
1469 B<< C<h> >> menuBar visible
1470 B<< C<l> >> menuBar invisible
1471
1472=end table
1473
1474=item B<< C<Ps = 25> >> 1593=item B<< C<Ps = 25> >>
1475 1594
1476=begin table 1595=begin table
1477 1596
1478 B<< C<h> >> Visible cursor {cnorm/cvvis} 1597 B<< C<h> >> Visible cursor {cnorm/cvvis}
1660 B<< C<Ps = 12> >> Change colour of text cursor foreground to B<< C<Pt> >> 1779 B<< C<Ps = 12> >> Change colour of text cursor foreground to B<< C<Pt> >>
1661 B<< C<Ps = 13> >> Change colour of mouse foreground to B<< C<Pt> >> 1780 B<< C<Ps = 13> >> Change colour of mouse foreground to B<< C<Pt> >>
1662 B<< C<Ps = 17> >> Change colour of highlight characters to B<< C<Pt> >> 1781 B<< C<Ps = 17> >> Change colour of highlight characters to B<< C<Pt> >>
1663 B<< C<Ps = 18> >> Change colour of bold characters to B<< C<Pt> >> [deprecated, see 706] 1782 B<< C<Ps = 18> >> Change colour of bold characters to B<< C<Pt> >> [deprecated, see 706]
1664 B<< C<Ps = 19> >> Change colour of underlined characters to B<< C<Pt> >> [deprecated, see 707] 1783 B<< C<Ps = 19> >> Change colour of underlined characters to B<< C<Pt> >> [deprecated, see 707]
1665 B<< C<Ps = 20> >> Change default background to B<< C<Pt> >> 1784 B<< C<Ps = 20> >> Change background pixmap parameters (see section XPM) (Compile XPM).
1666 B<< C<Ps = 39> >> Change default foreground colour to B<< C<Pt> >>. 1785 B<< C<Ps = 39> >> Change default foreground colour to B<< C<Pt> >>.
1667 B<< C<Ps = 46> >> Change Log File to B<< C<Pt> >> I<unimplemented> 1786 B<< C<Ps = 46> >> Change Log File to B<< C<Pt> >> I<unimplemented>
1668 B<< C<Ps = 49> >> Change default background colour to B<< C<Pt> >>. 1787 B<< C<Ps = 49> >> Change default background colour to B<< C<Pt> >>.
1669 B<< C<Ps = 50> >> Set fontset to B<< C<Pt> >>, with the following special values of B<< C<Pt> >> (B<rxvt>) B<< C<#+n> >> change up B<< C<n> >> B<< C<#-n> >> change down B<< C<n> >> if B<< C<n> >> is missing of 0, a value of 1 is used I<empty> change to font0 B<< C<n> >> change to font B<< C<n> >> 1788 B<< C<Ps = 50> >> Set fontset to B<< C<Pt> >>, with the following special values of B<< C<Pt> >> (B<rxvt>) B<< C<#+n> >> change up B<< C<n> >> B<< C<#-n> >> change down B<< C<n> >> if B<< C<n> >> is missing of 0, a value of 1 is used I<empty> change to font0 B<< C<n> >> change to font B<< C<n> >>
1670 B<< C<Ps = 55> >> Log all scrollback buffer and all of screen to B<< C<Pt> >> 1789 B<< C<Ps = 55> >> Log all scrollback buffer and all of screen to B<< C<Pt> >>
1671 B<< C<Ps = 701> >> Change current locale to B<< C<Pt> >>, or, if B<< C<Pt> >> is B<< C<?> >>, return the current locale (Compile frills). 1790 B<< C<Ps = 701> >> Change current locale to B<< C<Pt> >>, or, if B<< C<Pt> >> is B<< C<?> >>, return the current locale (Compile frills).
1672 B<< C<Ps = 703> >> Menubar command B<< C<Pt> >> (Compile menubar). 1791 B<< C<Ps = 702> >> Request version if B<< C<Pt> >> is B<< C<?> >>, returning C<rxvt-unicode>, the resource name, the major and minor version numbers, e.g. C<ESC ] 702 ; rxvt-unicode ; urxvt ; 7 ; 4 ST>.
1673 B<< C<Ps = 704> >> Change colour of italic characters to B<< C<Pt> >> 1792 B<< C<Ps = 704> >> Change colour of italic characters to B<< C<Pt> >>
1674 B<< C<Ps = 705> >> Change background pixmap tint colour to B<< C<Pt> >> (Compile transparency). 1793 B<< C<Ps = 705> >> Change background pixmap tint colour to B<< C<Pt> >> (Compile transparency).
1675 B<< C<Ps = 706> >> Change colour of bold characters to B<< C<Pt> >> 1794 B<< C<Ps = 706> >> Change colour of bold characters to B<< C<Pt> >>
1676 B<< C<Ps = 707> >> Change colour of underlined characters to B<< C<Pt> >> 1795 B<< C<Ps = 707> >> Change colour of underlined characters to B<< C<Pt> >>
1677 B<< C<Ps = 710> >> Set normal fontset to B<< C<Pt> >>. Same as C<Ps = 50>. 1796 B<< C<Ps = 710> >> Set normal fontset to B<< C<Pt> >>. Same as C<Ps = 50>.
1684 1803
1685=end table 1804=end table
1686 1805
1687=back 1806=back
1688 1807
1689X<menuBar>
1690
1691=head1 menuBar
1692
1693B<< The exact syntax used is I<almost> solidified. >>
1694In the menus, B<DON'T> try to use menuBar commands that add or remove a
1695menuBar.
1696
1697Note that in all of the commands, the B<< I</path/> >> I<cannot> be
1698omitted: use B<./> to specify a menu relative to the current menu.
1699
1700=head2 Overview of menuBar operation
1701
1702For the menuBar XTerm escape sequence C<ESC ] 703 ; Pt ST>, the syntax
1703of C<Pt> can be used for a variety of tasks:
1704
1705At the top level is the current menuBar which is a member of a circular
1706linked-list of other such menuBars.
1707
1708The menuBar acts as a parent for the various drop-down menus, which in
1709turn, may have labels, separator lines, menuItems and subMenus.
1710
1711The menuItems are the useful bits: you can use them to mimic keyboard
1712input or even to send text or escape sequences back to rxvt.
1713
1714The menuBar syntax is intended to provide a simple yet robust method of
1715constructing and manipulating menus and navigating through the
1716menuBars.
1717
1718The first step is to use the tag B<< [menu:I<name>] >> which creates
1719the menuBar called I<name> and allows access. You may now or menus,
1720subMenus, and menuItems. Finally, use the tag B<[done]> to set the
1721menuBar access as B<readonly> to prevent accidental corruption of the
1722menus. To re-access the current menuBar for alterations, use the tag
1723B<[menu]>, make the alterations and then use B<[done]>
1724
1725X<menuBarCommands>
1726
1727=head2 Commands
1728
1729=over 4
1730
1731=item B<< [menu:+I<name>] >>
1732
1733access the named menuBar for creation or alteration. If a new menuBar
1734is created, it is called I<name> (max of 15 chars) and the current
1735menuBar is pushed onto the stack
1736
1737=item B<[menu]>
1738
1739access the current menuBar for alteration
1740
1741=item B<< [title:+I<string>] >>
1742
1743set the current menuBar's title to I<string>, which may contain the
1744following format specifiers:
1745
1746 B<%n> rxvt name (as per the B<-name> command-line option)
1747 B<%v> rxvt version
1748 B<%%> literal B<%> character
1749
1750=item B<[done]>
1751
1752set menuBar access as B<readonly>.
1753End-of-file tag for B<< [read:+I<file>] >> operations.
1754
1755=item B<< [read:+I<file>] >>
1756
1757read menu commands directly from I<file> (extension ".menu" will be
1758appended if required.) Start reading at a line with B<[menu]> or B<<
1759[menu:+I<name> >> and continuing until B<[done]> is encountered.
1760
1761Blank and comment lines (starting with B<#>) are ignored. Actually,
1762since any invalid menu commands are also ignored, almost anything could
1763be construed as a comment line, but this may be tightened up in the
1764future ... so don't count on it!.
1765
1766=item B<< [read:+I<file>;+I<name>] >>
1767
1768The same as B<< [read:+I<file>] >>, but start reading at a line with
1769B<< [menu:+I<name>] >> and continuing until B<< [done:+I<name>] >> or
1770B<[done]> is encountered.
1771
1772=item B<[dump]>
1773
1774dump all menuBars to the file B</tmp/rxvt-PID> in a format suitable for
1775later rereading.
1776
1777=item B<[rm:name]>
1778
1779remove the named menuBar
1780
1781=item B<[rm] [rm:]>
1782
1783remove the current menuBar
1784
1785=item B<[rm*] [rm:*]>
1786
1787remove all menuBars
1788
1789=item B<[swap]>
1790
1791swap the top two menuBars
1792
1793=item B<[prev]>
1794
1795access the previous menuBar
1796
1797=item B<[next]>
1798
1799access the next menuBar
1800
1801=item B<[show]>
1802
1803Enable display of the menuBar
1804
1805=item B<[hide]>
1806
1807Disable display of the menuBar
1808
1809=item B<< [pixmap:+I<name>] >>
1810
1811=item B<< [pixmap:+I<name>;I<scaling>] >>
1812
1813(set the background pixmap globally
1814
1815B<< A Future implementation I<may> make this local to the menubar >>)
1816
1817=item B<< [:+I<command>:] >>
1818
1819ignore the menu readonly status and issue a I<command> to or a menu or
1820menuitem or change the ; a useful shortcut for setting the quick arrows
1821from a menuBar.
1822
1823=back
1824
1825X<menuBarAdd>
1826
1827=head2 Adding and accessing menus
1828
1829The following commands may also be B<+> prefixed.
1830
1831=over 4
1832
1833=item B</+>
1834
1835access menuBar top level
1836
1837=item B<./+>
1838
1839access current menu level
1840
1841=item B<../+>
1842
1843access parent menu (1 level up)
1844
1845=item B<../../>
1846
1847access parent menu (multiple levels up)
1848
1849=item B<< I</path/>menu >>
1850
1851add/access menu
1852
1853=item B<< I</path/>menu/* >>
1854
1855add/access menu and clear it if it exists
1856
1857=item B<< I</path/>{-} >>
1858
1859add separator
1860
1861=item B<< I</path/>{item} >>
1862
1863add B<item> as a label
1864
1865=item B<< I</path/>{item} action >>
1866
1867add/alter I<menuitem> with an associated I<action>
1868
1869=item B<< I</path/>{item}{right-text} >>
1870
1871add/alter I<menuitem> with B<right-text> as the right-justified text
1872and as the associated I<action>
1873
1874=item B<< I</path/>{item}{rtext} action >>
1875
1876add/alter I<menuitem> with an associated I<action> and with B<rtext> as
1877the right-justified text.
1878
1879=back
1880
1881=over 4
1882
1883=item Special characters in I<action> must be backslash-escaped:
1884
1885B<\a \b \E \e \n \r \t \octal>
1886
1887=item or in control-character notation:
1888
1889B<^@, ^A .. ^Z .. ^_, ^?>
1890
1891=back
1892
1893To send a string starting with a B<NUL> (B<^@>) character to the
1894program, start I<action> with a pair of B<NUL> characters (B<^@^@>),
1895the first of which will be stripped off and the balance directed to the
1896program. Otherwise if I<action> begins with B<NUL> followed by
1897non-+B<NUL> characters, the leading B<NUL> is stripped off and the
1898balance is sent back to rxvt.
1899
1900As a convenience for the many Emacs-type editors, I<action> may start
1901with B<M-> (eg, B<M-$> is equivalent to B<\E$>) and a B<CR> will be
1902appended if missed from B<M-x> commands.
1903
1904As a convenience for issuing XTerm B<ESC ]> sequences from a menubar (or
1905quick arrow), a B<BEL> (B<^G>) will be appended if needed.
1906
1907=over 4
1908
1909=item For example,
1910
1911B<M-xapropos> is equivalent to B<\Exapropos\r>
1912
1913=item and
1914
1915B<\E]703;mona;100> is equivalent to B<\E]703;mona;100\a>
1916
1917=back
1918
1919The option B<< {I<right-rtext>} >> will be right-justified. In the
1920absence of a specified action, this text will be used as the I<action>
1921as well.
1922
1923=over 4
1924
1925=item For example,
1926
1927B</File/{Open}{^X^F}> is equivalent to B</File/{Open}{^X^F} ^X^F>
1928
1929=back
1930
1931The left label I<is> necessary, since it's used for matching, but
1932implicitly hiding the left label (by using same name for both left and
1933right labels), or explicitly hiding the left label (by preceeding it
1934with a dot), makes it possible to have right-justified text only.
1935
1936=over 4
1937
1938=item For example,
1939
1940B</File/{Open}{Open} Open-File-Action>
1941
1942=item or hiding it
1943
1944B</File/{.anylabel}{Open} Open-File-Action>
1945
1946=back
1947
1948X<menuBarRemove>
1949
1950=head2 Removing menus
1951
1952=over 4
1953
1954=item B<< -/*+ >>
1955
1956remove all menus from the menuBar, the same as B<[clear]>
1957
1958=item B<< -+I</path>menu+ >>
1959
1960remove menu
1961
1962=item B<< -+I</path>{item}+ >>
1963
1964remove item
1965
1966=item B<< -+I</path>{-} >>
1967
1968remove separator)
1969
1970=item B<-/path/menu/*>
1971
1972remove all items, separators and submenus from menu
1973
1974=back
1975
1976X<menuBarArrows>
1977
1978=head2 Quick Arrows
1979
1980The menus also provide a hook for I<quick arrows> to provide easier
1981user access. If nothing has been explicitly set, the default is to
1982emulate the curror keys. The syntax permits each arrow to be altered
1983individually or all four at once without re-entering their common
1984beginning/end text. For example, to explicitly associate cursor actions
1985with the arrows, any of the following forms could be used:
1986
1987=over 4
1988
1989=item B<< <r>+I<Right> >>
1990
1991=item B<< <l>+I<Left> >>
1992
1993=item B<< <u>+I<Up> >>
1994
1995=item B<< <d>+I<Down> >>
1996
1997Define actions for the respective arrow buttons
1998
1999=item B<< <b>+I<Begin> >>
2000
2001=item B<< <e>+I<End> >>
2002
2003Define common beginning/end parts for I<quick arrows> which used in
2004conjunction with the above <r> <l> <u> <d> constructs
2005
2006=back
2007
2008=over 4
2009
2010=item For example, define arrows individually,
2011
2012 <u>\E[A
2013
2014 <d>\E[B
2015
2016 <r>\E[C
2017
2018 <l>\E[D
2019
2020=item or all at once
2021
2022 <u>\E[AZ<><d>\E[BZ<><r>\E[CZ<><l>\E[D
2023
2024=item or more compactly (factoring out common parts)
2025
2026 <b>\E[<u>AZ<><d>BZ<><r>CZ<><l>D
2027
2028=back
2029
2030X<menuBarSummary>
2031
2032=head2 Command Summary
2033
2034A short summary of the most I<common> commands:
2035
2036=over 4
2037
2038=item [menu:name]
2039
2040use an existing named menuBar or start a new one
2041
2042=item [menu]
2043
2044use the current menuBar
2045
2046=item [title:string]
2047
2048set menuBar title
2049
2050=item [done]
2051
2052set menu access to readonly and, if reading from a file, signal EOF
2053
2054=item [done:name]
2055
2056if reading from a file using [read:file;name] signal EOF
2057
2058=item [rm:name]
2059
2060remove named menuBar(s)
2061
2062=item [rm] [rm:]
2063
2064remove current menuBar
2065
2066=item [rm*] [rm:*]
2067
2068remove all menuBar(s)
2069
2070=item [swap]
2071
2072swap top two menuBars
2073
2074=item [prev]
2075
2076access the previous menuBar
2077
2078=item [next]
2079
2080access the next menuBar
2081
2082=item [show]
2083
2084map menuBar
2085
2086=item [hide]
2087
2088unmap menuBar
2089
2090=item [pixmap;file]
2091
2092=item [pixmap;file;scaling]
2093
2094set a background pixmap
2095
2096=item [read:file]
2097
2098=item [read:file;name]
2099
2100read in a menu from a file
2101
2102=item [dump]
2103
2104dump out all menuBars to /tmp/rxvt-PID
2105
2106=item /
2107
2108access menuBar top level
2109
2110=item ./
2111
2112=item ../
2113
2114=item ../../
2115
2116access current or parent menu level
2117
2118=item /path/menu
2119
2120add/access menu
2121
2122=item /path/{-}
2123
2124add separator
2125
2126=item /path/{item}{rtext} action
2127
2128add/alter menu item
2129
2130=item -/*
2131
2132remove all menus from the menuBar
2133
2134=item -/path/menu
2135
2136remove menu items, separators and submenus from menu
2137
2138=item -/path/menu
2139
2140remove menu
2141
2142=item -/path/{item}
2143
2144remove item
2145
2146=item -/path/{-}
2147
2148remove separator
2149
2150=item <b>Begin<r>Right<l>Left<u>Up<d>Down<e>End
2151
2152menu quick arrows
2153
2154=back
2155X<XPM> 1808X<XPM>
2156 1809
2157=head1 XPM 1810=head1 XPM
2158 1811
2159For the XPM XTerm escape sequence B<< C<ESC ] 20 ; Pt ST> >> then value 1812For the XPM XTerm escape sequence B<< C<ESC ] 20 ; Pt ST> >> then value
2258=begin table 1911=begin table
2259 1912
2260 4 Shift 1913 4 Shift
2261 8 Meta 1914 8 Meta
2262 16 Control 1915 16 Control
2263 32 Double Click I<(Rxvt extension)> 1916 32 Double Click I<(rxvt extension)>
2264 1917
2265=end table 1918=end table
2266 1919
2267Col = B<< C<< <x> - SPACE >> >> 1920Col = B<< C<< <x> - SPACE >> >>
2268 1921
2406alternative input methods (e.g. kinput2) and will also correctly 2059alternative input methods (e.g. kinput2) and will also correctly
2407set up the input for people using dead keys or compose keys. 2060set up the input for people using dead keys or compose keys.
2408 2061
2409=item --enable-unicode3 (default: off) 2062=item --enable-unicode3 (default: off)
2410 2063
2064Recommended to stay off unless you really need non-BMP characters.
2065
2411Enable direct support for displaying unicode codepoints above 2066Enable direct support for displaying unicode codepoints above
241265535 (the basic multilingual page). This increases storage 206765535 (the basic multilingual page). This increases storage
2413requirements per character from 2 to 4 bytes. X11 fonts do not yet 2068requirements per character from 2 to 4 bytes. X11 fonts do not yet
2414support these extra characters, but Xft does. 2069support these extra characters, but Xft does.
2415 2070
2425composite characters. This is required for proper viewing of text 2080composite characters. This is required for proper viewing of text
2426where accents are encoded as seperate unicode characters. This is 2081where accents are encoded as seperate unicode characters. This is
2427done by using precomposited characters when available or creating 2082done by using precomposited characters when available or creating
2428new pseudo-characters when no precomposed form exists. 2083new pseudo-characters when no precomposed form exists.
2429 2084
2430Without --enable-unicode3, the number of additional precomposed characters 2085Without --enable-unicode3, the number of additional precomposed
2431is rather limited (2048, if this is full, rxvt-unicode will use the 2086characters is somewhat limited (the 6400 private use characters will be
2432private use area, extending the number of combinations to 8448). With
2433--enable-unicode3, no practical limit exists. 2087(ab-)used). With --enable-unicode3, no practical limit exists.
2434 2088
2435This option will also enable storage (but not display) of characters 2089This option will also enable storage (but not display) of characters
2436beyond plane 0 (>65535) when --enable-unicode3 was not specified. 2090beyond plane 0 (>65535) when --enable-unicode3 was not specified.
2437 2091
2438The combining table also contains entries for arabic presentation forms, 2092The combining table also contains entries for arabic presentation forms,
2439but these are not currently used. Bug me if you want these to be used (and 2093but these are not currently used. Bug me if you want these to be used (and
2440tell me how these are to be used...). 2094tell me how these are to be used...).
2441 2095
2442=item --enable-fallback(=CLASS) (default: Rxvt) 2096=item --enable-fallback(=CLASS) (default: Rxvt)
2443 2097
2444When reading resource settings, also read settings for class CLASS. To disable resource fallback use --disable-fallback. 2098When reading resource settings, also read settings for class CLASS. To
2099disable resource fallback use --disable-fallback.
2445 2100
2446=item --with-res-name=NAME (default: urxvt) 2101=item --with-res-name=NAME (default: urxvt)
2447 2102
2448Use the given name as default application name when 2103Use the given name as default application name when
2449reading resources. Specify --with-res-name=rxvt to replace rxvt. 2104reading resources. Specify --with-res-name=rxvt to replace rxvt.
2486 2141
2487=item --enable-tinting (default: on) 2142=item --enable-tinting (default: on)
2488 2143
2489Add support for tinting of transparent backgrounds (requires C<--enable-transparency>). 2144Add support for tinting of transparent backgrounds (requires C<--enable-transparency>).
2490 2145
2491=item --enable-menubar (default: off) [DEPRECATED]
2492
2493Add support for our menu bar system (this interacts badly with dynamic
2494locale switching currently). This option is DEPRECATED and will be removed
2495in the future.
2496
2497=item --enable-rxvt-scroll (default: on) 2146=item --enable-rxvt-scroll (default: on)
2498 2147
2499Add support for the original rxvt scrollbar. 2148Add support for the original rxvt scrollbar.
2500 2149
2501=item --enable-next-scroll (default: on) 2150=item --enable-next-scroll (default: on)
2510 2159
2511Add support for a very unobtrusive, plain-looking scrollbar that 2160Add support for a very unobtrusive, plain-looking scrollbar that
2512is the favourite of the rxvt-unicode author, having used it for 2161is the favourite of the rxvt-unicode author, having used it for
2513many years. 2162many years.
2514 2163
2515=item --enable-half-shadow (default: off)
2516
2517Make shadows on the scrollbar only half the normal width & height.
2518only applicable to rxvt scrollbars.
2519
2520=item --enable-ttygid (default: off) 2164=item --enable-ttygid (default: off)
2521 2165
2522Change tty device setting to group "tty" - only use this if 2166Change tty device setting to group "tty" - only use this if
2523your system uses this type of security. 2167your system uses this type of security.
2524 2168
2532do it. 2176do it.
2533 2177
2534=item --disable-resources 2178=item --disable-resources
2535 2179
2536Removes any support for resource checking. 2180Removes any support for resource checking.
2537
2538=item --enable-strings (default: off)
2539
2540Add support for our possibly faster memset() function and other
2541various routines, overriding your system's versions which may
2542have been hand-crafted in assembly or may require extra libraries
2543to link in. (this breaks ANSI-C rules and has problems on many
2544GNU/Linux systems).
2545 2181
2546=item --disable-swapscreen 2182=item --disable-swapscreen
2547 2183
2548Remove support for secondary/swap screen. 2184Remove support for secondary/swap screen.
2549 2185
2558 2194
2559 MWM-hints 2195 MWM-hints
2560 EWMH-hints (pid, utf8 names) and protocols (ping) 2196 EWMH-hints (pid, utf8 names) and protocols (ping)
2561 seperate underline colour (-underlineColor) 2197 seperate underline colour (-underlineColor)
2562 settable border widths and borderless switch (-w, -b, -bl) 2198 settable border widths and borderless switch (-w, -b, -bl)
2199 visual depth selection (-depth)
2563 settable extra linespacing /-lsp) 2200 settable extra linespacing /-lsp)
2564 iso-14755-2 and -3, and visual feedback 2201 iso-14755-2 and -3, and visual feedback
2565 backindex and forwardindex escape sequence
2566 window op and some xterm/OSC escape sequences
2567 tripleclickwords (-tcw) 2202 tripleclickwords (-tcw)
2568 settable insecure mode (-insecure) 2203 settable insecure mode (-insecure)
2569 keysym remapping support 2204 keysym remapping support
2570 cursor blinking and underline cursor (-cb, -uc) 2205 cursor blinking and underline cursor (-cb, -uc)
2571 XEmbed support (-embed) 2206 XEmbed support (-embed)
2572 user-pty (-pty-fd) 2207 user-pty (-pty-fd)
2573 hold on exit (-hold) 2208 hold on exit (-hold)
2574 skip builtin block graphics (-sbg) 2209 skip builtin block graphics (-sbg)
2210
2211It also enabled some non-essential features otherwise disabled, such as:
2212
2213 some round-trip time optimisations
2214 nearest color allocation on pseudocolor screens
2215 UTF8_STRING supporr for selection
2575 sgr modes 90..97 and 100..107 2216 sgr modes 90..97 and 100..107
2217 backindex and forwardindex escape sequences
2218 view change/zero scorllback esacpe sequences
2219 locale switching escape sequence
2220 window op and some xterm/OSC escape sequences
2221 rectangular selections
2222 trailing space removal for selections
2223 verbose X error handling
2576 2224
2577=item --enable-iso14755 (default: on) 2225=item --enable-iso14755 (default: on)
2578 2226
2579Enable extended ISO 14755 support (see @@RXVT_NAME@@(1), or 2227Enable extended ISO 14755 support (see @@RXVT_NAME@@(1), or
2580F<doc/rxvt.1.txt>). Basic support (section 5.1) is enabled by 2228F<doc/rxvt.1.txt>). Basic support (section 5.1) is enabled by
2623 2271
2624=item --enable-pointer-blank (default: on) 2272=item --enable-pointer-blank (default: on)
2625 2273
2626Add support to have the pointer disappear when typing or inactive. 2274Add support to have the pointer disappear when typing or inactive.
2627 2275
2628=item --enable-perl (default: off) 2276=item --enable-perl (default: on)
2629 2277
2630Enable an embedded perl interpreter. See the B<@@RXVT_NAME@@perl(3)> 2278Enable an embedded perl interpreter. See the B<@@RXVT_NAME@@perl(3)>
2631manpage (F<doc/rxvtperl.txt>) for more info on this feature, or the files 2279manpage (F<doc/rxvtperl.txt>) for more info on this feature, or the files
2632in F<src/perl-ext/> for the extensions that are installed by default. The 2280in F<src/perl-ext/> for the extensions that are installed by default. The
2633perl interpreter that is used can be specified via the C<PERL> environment 2281perl interpreter that is used can be specified via the C<PERL> environment

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