dvtm

dynamic virtual terminal manager

TLDR

Start dvtm

$ dvtm

Set modifier key to Ctrl+a

$ dvtm -m ^a

Toggle default mouse support

$ dvtm -M

Set scrollback history buffer size

$ dvtm -h [5000]

Use a status FIFO for the status bar

$ dvtm -s [/tmp/dvtm-status]

Persist session with abduco

$ abduco -A [mysession] dvtm

dvtm (dynamic virtual terminal manager) brings dwm-style window management to the terminal. It tiles multiple terminal windows within a single terminal emulator.The tool provides dynamic layouts, tagging, and keyboard-driven window management. It's lightweight and follows the suckless philosophy of minimalism.

PARAMETERS

-v

Print version and exit.

-M

Toggle default mouse support.

-m mod

Modifier key (default: Ctrl+g).

-d delay

Escape sequence delay in milliseconds for ncurses.

-h lines

Scrollback history buffer size.

-t title

Set terminal title.

-s status-fifo

Named pipe to read status bar content from.

-c cmd

Command to pipe into the status FIFO.

CONFIGURATION

config.h

Source-level configuration file that must be edited and recompiled to change keybindings, colors, layouts, and behavior.

DEFAULT KEYS

Default modifier (MOD) is Ctrl+g.Mod+c: Create windowMod+x: Close windowMod+j/k: Focus next/previousMod+h/l: Resize masterMod+Enter: Zoom windowMod+Space: Toggle layoutMod+[1-9]: Jump to window by numberMod+e: Enter copy modeMod+p: PasteMod+q: Quit

LAYOUTS

tile: Master-stackgrid: Grid layoutbstack: Bottom stackfullscreen: Single maximized

CAVEATS

Limited compared to tmux/screen. No built-in session persistence; pair with abduco (recommended) or dtach. Configuration requires editing config.h and recompiling. Default modifier Ctrl+g may need to be rebound if it conflicts with applications.

HISTORY

dvtm was created by Marc Andre Tanner as a terminal multiplexer following dwm principles. It emerged from the suckless community around 2007, providing dynamic tiling for terminal environments without the complexity of screen or tmux.