links2

Visit a website in graphics mode

$ links2 -g [https://example.com]

links2 [OPTIONS] [URL]

-g, --graphic
    Forces links2 to run in graphical mode. This is the default if an X server or suitable graphical environment is detected.

-t, --text
    Forces links2 to run in text mode. This is useful for terminal-only environments or when graphical mode is not desired.

-mode <WxHxD>
    Sets the graphics mode, specifying width (W), height (H), and color depth (D). Example: -mode 1024x768x24.

-driver <driver>
    Specifies the graphical driver to use, such as x (for X Window System), fb (for framebuffer), or svga.

-dump
    Dumps the rendered web page content to standard output (stdout) and exits. Useful for scripting or quickly extracting text from a URL.

-width <N>
    Sets the text width for the -dump option, controlling how many columns wide the dumped content will be.

-source
    Dumps the raw HTML source code of the specified URL to standard output and exits.

-anonymous
    Starts links2 in 'anonymous' mode. This prevents it from saving history, cookies, or other persistent data during the session.

-proxy <host:port>
    Specifies an HTTP or FTP proxy server to use for network connections.

-socks <host:port>
    Specifies a SOCKS proxy server to use for network connections.

-download-path <path>
    Sets the default directory where downloaded files will be saved.

-no-connect
    Prevents links2 from making any network connections. It will only access local files.

-config <file>
    Uses the specified file as the configuration file instead of the default ~/.links2/links2.cfg.

-enable-javascript
    Enables JavaScript execution. Note that JavaScript support in links2 is often limited and may not be compiled in by default in all distributions.

links2 is a highly efficient and versatile web browser capable of operating in both text and graphical modes.
Originally designed for speed and low resource consumption, it excels in environments with limited bandwidth or older hardware, and is frequently used over SSH connections.
In text mode, it renders web pages using ASCII characters, providing a lightweight browsing experience similar to lynx or w3m.
In graphical mode, it supports images, frames, limited CSS, and some JavaScript, offering a more visual experience without the overhead of full-fledged browsers.
It supports various internet protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP, making it a robust tool for accessing web content from the command line.

links2's rendering capabilities, particularly for modern, complex web pages, are significantly less advanced than contemporary graphical browsers.
JavaScript and CSS support is often basic or absent depending on how it was compiled.
For security, always be cautious when enabling JavaScript on untrusted sites, especially given its lighter sandbox compared to full browsers.
Graphical mode requires a compatible display server (like X) or framebuffer support to function correctly.

links2 is primarily keyboard-driven. Essential commands include:
Arrow keys for navigation
q to quit
ESC to access the main menu
g to go to a URL
/ to search
Spacebar or PgDn to scroll down a page
Backspace or PgUp to scroll up
left arrow to go back in history

User-specific configurations for links2 are typically stored in ~/.links2/links2.cfg. This file can be manually edited to customize various aspects of the browser's behavior, appearance, and keybindings.

links2 supports a range of common internet protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and file:// URLs, allowing it to access a wide variety of online and local resources.

The Links project was initiated by Mikuláš Patočka in 1999 as a fast, text-mode web browser.
links2 emerged as a direct successor and evolution, introducing the significant capability of a graphical user interface while retaining the core text-mode functionality and lightweight design.
It has been continuously developed by the Links team, providing a robust, highly configurable, and resource-efficient browsing alternative for various Linux environments.

lynx(1), w3m(1), elinks(1), curl(1), wget(1)