Select text without using mouse in Linux terminal

Question

I know there is a shortcut to copy and paste contents in a Linux terminal. In addition, you can scroll through the contents of a terminal window by using Shift+PgUp and Shift+PgDown.

But is there any shortcut to select text or highlight text in a terminal without using a mouse? Unfortunately, I could not find an answer to this question; that is why I am asking here.

To clarify, I wanted to know about a keyboard command that will scroll through the terminal contents or output in the terminal. And it does not have to be a Gnome terminal; it should be some universal command for all kinds of the terminal. Like selecting the ID of a docker container after building the image.

Does this answer your question? Share the clipboard between bash and X11 To answer your question: it's not possible directly. As to whether the linked answer works in Wayland - I've no idea. — Artem S. Tashkinov, Oct 29 '21 at 05:28
Does this answer your question? Share the clipboard between bash and X11 — Toby Speight, Nov 11 '21 at 15:27

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 29 '21 at 06:20

1

Have a look at tmux.

The default shortcut to enter "copy mode" in tmux is Ctrl-b [, from where you use Vim-like shortcuts to select and yank text and to paste you use Ctrl-b ].

answered Oct 29 '21 at 06:20

Vilinkameni

781
1
4
12

I was looking for some command that will be universal for all terminal emulators, like Konsole, Gnome terminal and the list goes on. – lone wolf Oct 29 '21 at 12:02
tmux is independent of a terminal emulator. It is a terminal multiplexer. – Vilinkameni Oct 29 '21 at 12:08
indeed, and screen has a similar thing. and they're great, because if you accidentally close the window, you just open it back up like nothing happened – Fox Oct 29 '21 at 15:23

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 29 '21 at 06:31

1

Selecting text can be a function of your shell or of the of the terminal emulator you are using. Alacritty is one that supports vi-like text selection with keyboard shortcuts.

answered Oct 29 '21 at 06:31

Philippos

13,453

Select text without using mouse in Linux terminal

2 Answers2