LinuxCommandLibrary

w3m

Browse the web in a text-based interface

TLDR

Open a URL

$ w3m [https://example.com]
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Open a URL in monochrome mode
$ w3m [https://example.com] -M
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Open a URL without mouse support
$ w3m [https://example.com] -no-mouse
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Open a new browser tab
$ <Shift t>
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Display your browser history
$ <Ctrl h>
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Quit w3m
$ <q><y>
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SYNOPSIS

w3m [options] [URL or local file]

PARAMETERS

-t
    Set the tab width.

-o
    Set a configuration option.
Use w3m -o to list all possible options.

-dump
    Dump the content of the specified URL or local file to standard output.

-dump_head
    Dump the HTTP header of the specified URL.

-dump_source
    Dump the source code of the specified URL or local file.

-dump_both
    Dump both the HTTP header and the content.

-T
    Specify the MIME type for the input when using standard input.

-B
    Do not use background mode.

-M
    Monochrome mode. Disables color output.

-N
    Display links as numbers.

-s
    Strip line breaks.

-v
    Print version information and exit.

-h
    Display help message and exit.

-no-cookie
    Disable cookie support.

-no-proxy
    Disable proxy server support.

DESCRIPTION

w3m is a text-based web browser, meaning it displays web pages within a terminal window. It is designed to be lightweight and fast, making it suitable for use on systems with limited resources or when a graphical web browser is not available or desired. w3m supports tables, frames, SSL connections, color, and external editors. It is highly configurable and can be used to browse web pages, read local HTML files, and even be used as a pager for other programs.
It is particularly useful for accessing web content from the command line, such as in remote server environments or when working over SSH.

CAVEATS

w3m might not render complex web pages perfectly due to its text-based nature.
JavaScript is not supported.

CONFIGURATION FILE

The configuration file for w3m is typically located at ~/.w3m/config. This file allows users to customize various aspects of the browser, such as key bindings, fonts, and default options.

KEY BINDINGS

w3m uses a system of key bindings to navigate and interact with web pages. Common key bindings include using the arrow keys to scroll, 'q' to quit, and Enter to follow a link.
Key bindings can be customized in the configuration file.

HISTORY

w3m was initially developed in Japan.
It is derived from w3.
It is under ongoing development with a focus on stability and terminal-based web browsing.

SEE ALSO

lynx(1), curl(1), wget(1)

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