Linux lynx command

The Linux lynx command is a text-based web browser that enables users to browse the internet from the command line interface. It is widely used for its simplicity and efficiency in retrieving and viewing web pages without the need for a graphical interface. Lynx supports HTML, HTTPS, and can render tables, frames, and lists. Its keyboard shortcuts provide a smooth browsing experience, making it a popular choice for users who prefer command line tools.

lynx Syntax:

lynx [option] [URL]

Options:

Option	Description
-cfg	Use specified configuration file
-help	Display lynx help page
-dump	Dump formatted output to stdout
-listonly	List only the referenced links
-source	Display the HTML source
-crawl	Crawl pages within specified constraints
-post_data	Send POST data to a URL

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
URL	The URL to be accessed

Caution

Exercise caution while using the lynx command as it may display or download sensitive information from websites. Make sure you have the necessary permissions before retrieving or interacting with any data.

lynx Usage:

Access a website

lynx www.example.com

Display the contents of a website in the terminal using the Lynx command line web browser.

Navigate using arrow keys

lynx -navigate www.example.com

Use the arrow keys to navigate through a website displayed in the Lynx command line web browser.

Download a webpage as text

lynx -dump www.example.com > example.txt

Download the content of a webpage as plain text using Lynx and save it as a text file.

Open Lynx with a specific user agent

lynx -useragent="Mozilla/5.0" www.example.com

Access a website using Lynx with a specific user agent to simulate a different web browser.

Tip

When using the lynx command in Linux, remember that it is a text-based web browser. You can navigate web pages, follow links, and submit forms directly from the command line.

How do I install lynx in Linux?

To install the lynx command in Linux, use the package manager specific to your distribution. For example, in Ubuntu or Debian, you can install it with the following command:

sudo apt-get install lynx

How do I open a webpage with lynx in Linux?

To open a webpage using lynx in Linux, simply provide the URL as an argument to the lynx command. For example:

lynx https://www.example.com

How do I navigate in a webpage using lynx in Linux?

To navigate within a webpage using lynx in Linux, you can use the arrow keys to move around, the Enter key to follow links, and the Backspace key to go back.

How do I exit lynx in Linux?

To exit lynx and close the browser in Linux, press the “Q” key on your keyboard. This will quit lynx and return you to the command line.

How do I search for text in a webpage with lynx in Linux?

To search for text within a webpage using lynx in Linux, press the ”/” key, enter the text you wish to find, and press Enter.

How do I save a webpage with lynx in Linux?

To save a copy of a webpage using lynx in Linux, you can use the -dump option to output the page content to a file. For example:

lynx -dump https://www.example.com > output.html

Applications of the lynx command

1. Viewing and browsing websites in the terminal
2. Accessing and retrieving information from web pages
3. Reading online documentation or resources
4. Checking website content or markup
5. Automating web browsing tasks
6. Accessing web-based services or APIs
7. Downloading files over HTTP or HTTPS directly to the terminal
8. Testing website accessibility and usability
9. Reading and sending email using text-based interfaces like Mutt or Alpine
10. Navigating the web in a low-bandwidth environment