The Tool Desk
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Choose the installation method
There are three practical routes documented by the btop upstream README: a native package, an official binary archive, or a source build. The best choice depends on whether you value distribution-managed updates, the newest upstream release, or control over build features.
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| Route | Installation effort | Updates | Architecture and build control | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distribution package | Lowest; one package-manager transaction when available | Handled by your distribution, but the version depends on its release and enabled repositories | Uses the distributor’s build and feature choices | Most desktop and server installations |
| Official Linux archive | Download, unpack, then run make install |
You replace it manually when you want a newer archive | Choose the matching release and architecture; no compiler toolchain is needed | When the repository lacks btop or ships an older build |
| Make source build | Requires a compiler and development dependencies | Pull new source and rebuild when updating | Supports options such as GPU support, static linking, compiler, and target architecture | When you need a build flag or a repository version is too old |
| CMake source build | Requires CMake, Ninja and development dependencies | Rebuild from source | Supports an install prefix and a GPU-support switch; the upstream README describes this route as community maintained | When your workflow already uses CMake |
Package availability is distribution-specific. If your distribution is not listed below, search its enabled repositories first; use an archive or source build only when that is more appropriate for your release and architecture.
Requirements and compatibility
For a package installation
The package manager supplies the executable and its distribution-specific dependencies. The exact btop version, enabled features and update cadence follow the operating-system release and repositories you use.
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For the official Linux archive
Upstream’s Linux binaries are statically compiled with musl and are documented to work on Linux kernel releases 2.6.39 and newer. That compatibility statement applies to those upstream archives, not automatically to every source build or to every GPU configuration. Select the archive for both the release and your CPU architecture.
- x86_64 means 64-bit x86.
- i486 and i686 are 32-bit x86 targets.
Installing an archive for the wrong architecture is a common reason for an executable that refuses to start. Check the architecture reported by your distribution before downloading.
For a Make source build
The current Linux compilation instructions require at least GCC 14 or Clang 19, plus GNU coreutils and sed. The Ubuntu 24.04 example also installs Git, the build toolchain and lowdown for documentation generation.
For a CMake build
The Debian Bookworm example installs CMake, Git, G++, Ninja and lowdown. CMake is an additional, community-maintained path rather than a replacement for the documented Make workflow.
Install btop with a native package manager
Fedora
On Fedora, install the package with:
sudo dnf install btopAfter installation, start it with btop. Future updates arrive through Fedora’s normal package update process. The available version still depends on your Fedora release and enabled repositories.
openSUSE Tumbleweed
Use Zypper on Tumbleweed:
sudo zypper in btopLaunch the monitor by entering btop in a terminal.
RHEL, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux 8 or newer
The upstream instructions use the Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux repository. Enable that repository, then install btop:
sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install btopThe first command is required before the second on systems where EPEL is not already enabled. Repository policies and package versions can differ between the RHEL family distributions, so confirm that the repository is appropriate for your exact release.
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Check your distribution’s package search or package manager for btop. If no suitable package is available, the official archive avoids compilation; a source build is the flexible option when you need custom features. Do not assume that a package exists in every release or that all packages were built with GPU support.
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Install the official Linux binary archive
The archive route avoids the compiler requirements of a source build. Download the release archive matching your btop release, Linux platform and CPU architecture from the project’s release area linked by the upstream documentation.
- Confirm your CPU architecture and choose the corresponding archive. Do not use an x86_64 archive on a 32-bit i486 or i686 installation, or the reverse.
- Unpack the downloaded archive with
tar -xffollowed by the exact archive filename. - Change into the directory created by the extraction.
- Run
make installfrom that extracted directory.
The default installation prefix is /usr/local. If you want an installation under another directory, specify it during installation:
PREFIX=/target/dir make installUse sudo only when the target directory is not writable by your user. For a user-owned prefix, running the install without elevated privileges avoids unnecessary system-wide changes. Because the upstream archive is statically linked with musl, it is useful on systems where the distribution’s package is missing or considerably older, while still subject to the kernel compatibility threshold documented above.
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Build btop from source with Make
Use the Make workflow when you need a current checkout, a custom installation prefix, or build-time feature controls. It is more involved than a package or archive because the compiler and documentation dependencies must be present.
Ubuntu 24.04 dependency setup
The upstream Linux example installs the required tools with:
sudo apt install coreutils sed git build-essential lowdownThe README requires GCC 14 or Clang 19 at minimum. A distribution’s default compiler may be older, so check the compiler version before starting the build and select a supported compiler if necessary.
Clone and compile
- Clone the upstream repository:
git clone https://github.com/aristocratos/btop.git- Enter the checkout:
cd btop- Compile it:
make- Install the resulting program:
make installThe default prefix is /usr/local. If that location requires administrative access, run the install command with sudo; otherwise use a user-writable prefix:
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Useful Make options
Pass build variables on the Make command line when you need a particular configuration:
| Option | Purpose | Example use |
|---|---|---|
GPU_SUPPORT=false |
Disable GPU support | Useful when GPU dependencies are unavailable or unnecessary |
STATIC=true |
Request static compilation | Choose when you specifically want a static build |
CXX=<compiler> |
Select the C++ compiler | Use a supported compiler when the system default is unsuitable |
ARCH=<architecture> |
Select the target architecture | Use when building for a specific supported target |
For a normal workstation, the package or prebuilt archive is simpler. A custom Make build is justified when the packaged version is too old, a GPU or static-build decision matters, or you are comfortable maintaining compiler dependencies.
Build with the CMake route
The upstream README labels its CMake instructions community maintained. They are useful if your project already standardizes on CMake and Ninja, but they are not presented as the only or preferred installation method.
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Debian Bookworm example
Install the documented dependencies:
sudo apt install cmake git g++ ninja-build lowdownFrom the btop source directory, configure and build with Ninja:
cmake -B build -G Ninja
cmake --build buildInstall the compiled program with:
cmake --install buildCMake installs under /usr/local by default. Choose another prefix with the normal CMake install-prefix setting when your destination is user-writable. To turn off GPU support, configure with:
cmake -B build -G Ninja -DBTOP_GPU=OFFIf the build directory was already configured, reconfigure it with the option before rebuilding so that the setting is applied.
Start btop and locate its configuration
Run the program by entering:
btopThe interface can change all documented options; the upstream project summarizes this as “All options changeable from within UI.” Use the in-program menu for discoverability, then edit the configuration file directly when you need a repeatable setup across machines or sessions.
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$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/btopwhenXDG_CONFIG_HOMEis set.$HOME/.config/btopwhen it is not set.
The usual file is therefore $HOME/.config/btop/btop.conf, unless your XDG setting redirects it. If you cannot find the file immediately after installation, start btop and change an option once; the generated configuration should then appear in the applicable directory.
Configure the display, panels and readings
The generated configuration example documents the following settings. You can change them in the interface or edit btop.conf for a persistent, text-based configuration.
| Setting | What it controls | Practical choice |
|---|---|---|
color_theme |
Selects the theme | Use the built-in Default or TTY theme, or a theme file in a documented themes directory |
truecolor |
Controls true-color output | Enable it when the terminal advertises full color; disable it if colors render incorrectly |
force_tty |
Forces terminal-oriented rendering | Useful when automatic terminal detection does not match your environment |
presets |
Saves panel layouts | The default preset displays all boxes; choose a less crowded layout when terminal space is limited |
vim_keys |
Enables Vim-style directional controls in lists | Turn it on if those controls match your normal navigation habits |
graph_symbol |
Chooses graph characters | Select braille for detail, block for broad font compatibility, or tty for real TTY compatibility |
temp_scale |
Temperature unit | Choose Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin or Rankine according to your preferred readings |
show_cpu_freq |
Shows CPU frequency information | Enable it when frequency behavior is relevant to your diagnosis |
check_temp |
Controls temperature checking | Use it with the available hardware sensors and a suitable temperature scale |
disks_filter |
Filters disks shown in the disk panel | Limit the list when virtual, loop or temporary devices obscure physical disks |
show_disks |
Shows or hides disk information | Hide the panel when you need more room for processes or network data |
show_swap |
Shows or hides swap information | Keep it visible when memory pressure or swap activity is part of your monitoring task |
use_fstab |
Uses filesystem-table information for disk presentation | Enable it when you want the panel aligned with configured mounts |
net_iface |
Selects the network interface | Set the interface you actually want to observe on multi-interface hosts |
net_auto |
Controls automatic interface selection | Use automatic selection for changing environments; choose a fixed interface for consistent monitoring |
net_download and net_upload |
Set network graph scaling | Adjust the scales so normal traffic remains readable without flattening short bursts |
Choose graph characters deliberately
braille provides the highest graph resolution, but the terminal font must contain and correctly render braille characters. block is less detailed and relies on more common characters. tty uses a small symbol set intended for real TTYs; it is the most compatible choice in that environment but displays a shorter history.
If a graph is clipped, misaligned or full of empty squares, change graph_symbol before changing unrelated settings. Rendering depends on the terminal emulator, font fallback and, in some emulators, bidirectional-text handling.
Enable and troubleshoot GPU monitoring
GPU readings are conditional, not guaranteed by installing btop. The executable must be built with GPU support, and the vendor-specific driver, library and permissions must also be correct.
Confirm that the build includes GPU support
Upstream enables GPU support by default in Linux x86_64 builds. A source build can disable it with GPU_SUPPORT=false in Make or -DBTOP_GPU=OFF in CMake. If GPU data is absent, first verify how the installed binary was built before changing permissions.
NVIDIA
NVIDIA monitoring requires an official NVIDIA driver and the dynamically loaded nvidia-ml library. A driver that is installed but does not provide that library will still leave the GPU panel without data.
AMD
AMD monitoring uses ROCm SMI. That component may not be packaged by every distribution, so a GPU-capable btop binary alone may not be sufficient.
Intel
Intel GPU monitoring requires permission to read the relevant SYSFS data. Upstream also requires elevated capability or a SUID setting for Intel GPU support and CPU wattage. After installation, the preferred method is:
sudo make setcapThe alternative is:
sudo make setuidRun these from the source tree used for the installation, and use them only when you need the associated Intel GPU or CPU-wattage readings. They are not required for ordinary process, CPU, memory, disk or network monitoring.
Use command-line options for repeatable launches
The installed build’s exact option set is available with btop --help. The Debian btop(1) manual for version 1.4.7-1 and the upstream README document these controls:
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
-c, --config |
Use an alternate configuration file |
-d, --debug |
Enable extra logs and metrics |
-f, --filter |
Start with an initial process filter |
-l, --low-color |
Use 256 colors |
-p, --preset |
Start with preset ID 0 through 9 |
-t, --tty |
Use ANSI graph symbols and 16 colors |
--no-tty |
Disable TTY mode |
-u, --update |
Set the initial update period in milliseconds |
--default-config |
Print the default configuration |
--themes-dir |
Use a custom theme directory |
For example, btop --config /path/to/monitor.conf keeps a separate configuration for a particular host, while btop --preset 2 starts with preset 2. Treat these paths and preset numbers as launch choices; they do not rewrite your main configuration unless you save changes through the program.
Troubleshoot the most common failures
The package cannot be found
Confirm that the correct repository is enabled for your distribution release. On the RHEL family, install EPEL before requesting btop. If the package is genuinely unavailable or too old, switch to the official archive or compile from source.
The executable will not start
- Recheck the archive architecture: x86_64, i486 and i686 are different targets.
- For a source build, verify that the compiler meets the GCC 14 or Clang 19 minimum and that the required tools are installed.
- When installing into a system-owned prefix, repeat only the installation step with the necessary privilege rather than running the entire build as root.
Colors or graphs look wrong
Try graph_symbol=block or graph_symbol=tty when braille characters are missing, clipped or misaligned. Check the terminal font’s braille coverage and fallback behavior. If color output is incorrect, review truecolor, force_tty, the selected theme and the terminal’s color capability. Some terminal emulators also need their bidirectional-text rendering setting changed.
The configuration file is missing
Look under $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/btop first, then $HOME/.config/btop when the XDG variable is unset. Start btop and change an option to trigger generation if the file has not yet been created.
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GPU data is blank
- Confirm that the executable includes GPU support.
- For NVIDIA, verify the official driver and
nvidia-mldynamic library. - For AMD, verify that ROCm SMI is installed and available on your distribution.
- For Intel, verify SYSFS read permission and apply the documented capability or SUID setup only when those readings are required.
Changing permissions cannot supply a missing driver, library or compile-time feature, so check those prerequisites first.
Verify an installation before customizing it
After any installation route, use this short check:
- Run
btopand confirm that the process, CPU, memory, disk and network panels render. - Run
btop --helpto see the options supported by the installed build. - Run
btop --default-configif you need to inspect the defaults before editing your own file. - Change one display option in the interface, exit, and check the applicable btop configuration directory.
- If you use an alternate file or layout, test it explicitly with
--configor--preset.
This sequence separates installation problems from terminal-rendering and hardware-integration problems: if the basic panels work, investigate graph settings or vendor requirements rather than reinstalling the program.
Which route should you keep?
Use the distribution package when integrated updates and minimal maintenance matter most. Choose the upstream archive when you need a ready-to-run binary without a compiler and your architecture matches one of the published targets. Build with Make when you need compiler, static-linking, architecture or GPU-support control. Use CMake when its community-maintained workflow fits your existing build environment. Whichever route you choose, keep the configuration under the correct XDG path and use the display settings that your terminal and font render reliably.
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