SYNOPSIS
screen [ -options ] [ cmd [ args ] ]
screen -r [[pid.]tty[.host]]
screen -r sessionowner/[[pid.]tty[.host]]
COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS
Screen has the following command-line options:
-a include all capabilities (with some minor exceptions) in each win‐
dow's termcap, even if screen must redraw parts of the display in
order to implement a function.
-A Adapt the sizes of all windows to the size of the current termi‐
nal. By default, screen tries to restore its old window sizes
when attaching to resizable terminals (those with "WS" in its de‐
scription, e.g. suncmd or some xterm).
-c file
override the default configuration file from "$HOME/.screenrc" to
file.
-d|-D [pid.tty.host]
does not start screen, but detaches the elsewhere running screen
session. It has the same effect as typing "C-a d" from screen's
controlling terminal. -D is the equivalent to the power detach
key. If no session can be detached, this option is ignored. In
combination with the -r/-R option more powerful effects can be
achieved:
-d -r Reattach a session and if necessary detach it first.
-d -R Reattach a session and if necessary detach or even create it
first.
-d -RR Reattach a session and if necessary detach or create it. Use
the first session if more than one session is available.
-D -r Reattach a session. If necessary detach and logout remotely
first.
-D -R Attach here and now. In detail this means: If a session is run‐
ning, then reattach. If necessary detach and logout remotely
first. If it was not running create it and notify the user.
This is the author's favorite.
-D -RR Attach here and now. Whatever that means, just do it.
Note: It is always a good idea to check the status of your ses‐
sions by means of "screen -list".
-e xy
specifies the command character to be x and the character generat‐
ing a literal command character to y (when typed after the command
character). The default is "C-a" and `a', which can be specified
as "-e^Aa". When creating a screen session, this option sets the
default command character. In a multiuser session all users added
will start off with this command character. But when attaching to
an already running session, this option changes only the command
character of the attaching user. This option is equivalent to ei‐
ther the commands "defescape" or "escape" respectively.
-f, -fn, and -fa
turns flow-control on, off, or "automatic switching mode". This
can also be defined through the "defflow" .screenrc command.
-h num
Specifies the history scrollback buffer to be num lines high.
-i will cause the interrupt key (usually C-c) to interrupt the dis‐
play immediately when flow-control is on. See the "defflow"
.screenrc command for details. The use of this option is discour‐
aged.
-l and -ln
turns login mode on or off (for /run/utmp updating). This can
also be defined through the "deflogin" .screenrc command.
-ls [match]
-list [match]
does not start screen, but prints a list of pid.tty.host strings
and creation timestamps identifying your screen sessions. Ses‐
sions marked `detached' can be resumed with "screen -r". Those
marked `attached' are running and have a controlling terminal. If
the session runs in multiuser mode, it is marked `multi'. Sessions
marked as `unreachable' either live on a different host or are
`dead'. An unreachable session is considered dead, when its name
matches either the name of the local host, or the specified param‐
eter, if any. See the -r flag for a description how to construct
matches. Sessions marked as `dead' should be thoroughly checked
and removed. Ask your system administrator if you are not sure.
Remove sessions with the -wipe option.
-L tells screen to turn on automatic output logging for the windows.
-Logfile file
By default logfile name is "screenlog.0". You can set new logfile
name with the "-Logfile" option.
-m causes screen to ignore the $STY environment variable. With
"screen -m" creation of a new session is enforced, regardless
whether screen is called from within another screen session or
not. This flag has a special meaning in connection with the `-d'
option:
-d -m Start screen in "detached" mode. This creates a new session but
doesn't attach to it. This is useful for system startup
scripts.
-D -m This also starts screen in "detached" mode, but doesn't fork a
new process. The command exits if the session terminates.
-O selects an optimal output mode for your terminal rather than true
VT100 emulation (only affects auto-margin terminals without `LP').
This can also be set in your .screenrc by specifying `OP' in a