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Install GNU Screen with your VPS distribution’s package manager, start a named session, run the long-lived command inside it, and detach with Ctrl-a followed by d. Your process keeps running when the SSH connection closes. Later, reconnect, run screen -ls, and use screen -r session-name to continue.
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What Screen does on a VPS
GNU Screen is a terminal multiplexer. It creates one or more virtual terminals inside an SSH connection, so you can run commands, switch between shell windows, and leave an interactive program running after you disconnect. When you reconnect, you attach to the same session instead of starting the command again.
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This is useful for database migrations, deployments, compilers, file transfers, data-processing jobs, and administration tasks that may outlast your local network or laptop. Screen does not turn a command into a service and does not replace a supervisor for automatic restarts; it preserves an interactive terminal session and its child processes.
As the GNU Screen manual explains, one of its most useful features is moving a session between terminals by detaching and reattaching. Red Hat describes the same behavior as launching a terminal in the background that can be detached and reconnected. The session is persistent from the terminal’s point of view, not an independent guarantee that a faulty application will keep running.
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A normal lifecycle is:
- Install the package.
- Create a descriptive session, such as
screen -S deploy. - Run the command inside Screen.
- Detach with Ctrl-a, then d.
- Reconnect to the VPS and inspect sessions with
screen -ls. - Reattach with
screen -r deploy.
What you need before installing
You need a Linux VPS that you can reach over SSH, a user account with permission to install packages, and a terminal client that can send the Ctrl-a key sequence. If your account is not an administrator, it must be allowed to use sudo. The hosting provider and plan determine the server’s price and resources; Screen itself does not change those terms.
Use Screen for work that benefits from an interactive terminal. For a daemon that must start at boot, restart after failure, expose health checks, or run without an administrator attached, use a service manager or process supervisor instead.
Check your VPS distribution first
Package names and repositories differ by distribution. Identify the operating system before installing:
cat /etc/os-releaseYou need an SSH account allowed to install packages, or access to an administrator account through sudo. The package version is determined by the repositories enabled on that particular VPS.
Ubuntu and Debian
Use APT:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install screenapt update refreshes the local package indexes before the installation request. Confirm that the executable is available:
screen --versionThe exact version can differ between Ubuntu or Debian releases and their configured repositories, so do not assume a particular version number. If APT cannot locate the package, check the release shown by /etc/os-release, repository configuration, and whether the VPS permits package access.
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On RHEL 7 and compatible releases where the package is present in an enabled repository, install it with the system package manager:
sudo yum install screenCheck the release and repository status if the package cannot be found. Screen was deprecated in RHEL 7.6 and is omitted from RHEL 8. A community-supported package may be available through EPEL 8, but adding a third-party repository should follow your organization’s security and support policy. Verify the exact RHEL minor release and enabled repositories before choosing a command.
Fedora and other RPM-based distributions
Use the package manager provided by the release. On Fedora this is commonly:
sudo dnf install screenIf that command reports no matching package, verify the distribution version and enabled repositories rather than repeatedly retrying a command intended for another release. Other RPM-based systems may use dnf, yum, or a vendor-specific wrapper, so follow that system’s package policy.
When a source build is appropriate
A source build is usually unnecessary on a VPS because a distribution package receives dependency handling and repository updates. If policy requires a build from source, GNU’s generic sequence is:
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./configure
makeYou must then install the resulting program according to the project’s instructions and maintain updates yourself. A source build does not solve the RHEL 8 package-availability issue unless you have accepted responsibility for that maintenance. It also means you must track security fixes and ensure that the resulting binary is available in the intended users’ PATH.
Create your first persistent Screen session
1. Start a named session
Choose a name that describes the work, not just the date:
screen -S deployYou are now inside a Screen-managed shell. The command prompt may look unchanged; the important difference is that the shell belongs to the named session. Names such as migration-prod, build-api, or logs-web make later selection safer than relying on a numeric process identifier.
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Start the migration, build, deployment, or other interactive task normally. For example, change to the application directory and invoke your deployment command. Do not start the job in the original shell and then try to move it into Screen; launch it from inside the Screen window.
Record the working directory and exact command somewhere outside the session as well. If another administrator must take over, the session name alone may not explain what the process is doing or what completion looks like.
3. Detach without stopping the job
Press Ctrl-a, release both keys, and then press d. Screen returns you to the outer SSH shell and reports that the session was detached. The command inside the session continues to run.
Ctrl-a is Screen’s command prefix. It is not the same as pressing Ctrl-a alone in your shell, and the two keystrokes are sequential rather than simultaneous with the second key. Screen’s autodetach behavior is enabled by default, so a hangup can leave a session available for later reattachment, but deliberately detaching is still the clearest and safest workflow.
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You can now close SSH. When you later log in to the VPS again, list the sessions:
screen -lsA listing normally shows the session identifier, its name, and whether it is detached or attached. Reattach by name:
screen -r deployYou can also use the complete identifier shown by screen -ls:
screen -r 12345.deployOnce attached, you see the terminal exactly as it was left, including the command’s current output and prompt. If the command finished while you were away, you will see its final output and a shell prompt rather than a still-running process.
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Understand attached, detached, and forceful reattachment
A session is detached when no terminal is currently viewing it. It is attached when another terminal still has an active connection to it. Inspect the state before taking over:
screen -lsIf your previous SSH connection died without detaching cleanly, Screen may still mark the session as attached. To deliberately detach it from the old terminal and attach it to your current one, use:
screen -d -r deployThe -d option detaches the existing display and -r reattaches your display. Use this only when you have confirmed that another administrator is not actively using the session; otherwise you can unexpectedly remove their view and interrupt collaborative work. The GNU manual recommends checking the session list before using forceful combinations such as -d -r.
Use multiple windows inside one session
A single Screen session can contain several virtual terminal windows. The prefix for each control below is Ctrl-a:
| Keystroke | Action | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
Ctrl-a c |
Create a new window | Keep a shell, log viewer, and administration command separate. |
Ctrl-a n |
Next window | Move forward through windows. |
Ctrl-a p |
Previous window | Move backward through windows. |
Ctrl-a 0 through Ctrl-a 9 |
Select a numbered window | Jump directly to a known window number. |
Ctrl-a " |
Show the window list | Choose a window when several are open. |
Ctrl-a k |
Kill the current window | Close a shell or process after confirming the prompt. |
Ctrl-a d |
Detach the session | Leave every window and its processes running. |
Killing a window terminates the shell and normally its foreground process. Detaching is the safe choice when you want work to continue. The window list also helps you see whether a command is running in window 0, 1, or another number before switching to it.
Scroll back, copy, and paste
Screen provides scrollback and copy/paste in addition to window switching. Enter its copy mode with Ctrl-a followed by [, move through earlier output with the navigation keys, mark and select the text, and leave copy mode when finished. The exact navigation feel depends on your terminal and Screen configuration, so test it in a noncritical session first. Screen’s manual remains the authority for the complete copy-mode command set.
Scrollback is useful for reviewing compiler errors or migration output that has already moved off the visible terminal. It is not a substitute for application logs: output can be truncated by the configured history size, and terminal control sequences may not be suitable for automated parsing.
Capture output with Screen logging
For a session whose terminal output should be written to a file, start it with logging enabled:
screen -L -S buildWhere supported, specify a log file explicitly:
screen -Logfile build.log -S buildLogging records terminal output, which can include passwords accidentally echoed by a command, access tokens, customer data, file paths, or other confidential information. Store the log where only the required users can read it, check its ownership and permissions, and delete or rotate it according to your retention policy. A log is not a substitute for application-level audit records: terminal control sequences and interactive prompts may not produce a convenient machine-readable format.
Choose the log location before starting a production task, and verify that the account running Screen can create and write the file. If a command prints secrets to the terminal, enabling logging can copy those secrets into a second location even when the original output was only meant to be viewed briefly.
Troubleshoot common Screen problems
“There are several suitable screens”
This message means that more than one session matches the name or abbreviated identifier you supplied. List all sessions:
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screen -lsThen reattach using the full identifier or a more specific name:
screen -r 12345.deployDescriptive names such as deploy-api, migration-prod, and build-2026-10 reduce accidental matches. If two sessions have the same name, the numeric portion distinguishes them. Avoid guessing when several sessions belong to different administrators or production environments.
screen -r says the session is already attached
First decide whether another terminal is genuinely using it. If it is abandoned, take over deliberately:
screen -d -r deployIf another operator is connected, coordinate before detaching their display. For shared observation rather than taking over, Screen’s multiuser features may be more appropriate.
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A session is marked “dead” or leaves a stale entry
Confirm that the process is truly gone and that no administrator is still using the session. After that check, remove destroyed-session entries with:
screen -wipeDo not run a cleanup command blindly on a shared VPS: a listing that looks old to you may belong to a live administrator whose connection is temporarily unavailable. A stale listing and a running process are different conditions, so inspect before deleting the entry.
The terminal looks garbled after attaching
A changed terminal size, an interrupted SSH connection, or differences in terminal emulation can make output appear misaligned. Resize the local terminal, reconnect to the VPS, and attach again. Screen adapts terminal size, but the result depends on the client terminal and the $TERM value. Check that value in both the outer shell and the Screen session, and test the affected command in the target environment rather than assuming every terminal combination behaves identically.
Screen is unavailable on RHEL 8
This is a package-availability issue, not a mistake in the screen syntax. RHEL 8 does not include Screen in its standard distribution and Red Hat recommends the maintained tmux alternative. Use the supported alternative, or obtain an approved community package only when your system policy permits it.
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The process still stopped after disconnecting
Check that you actually launched the command inside Screen and detached with Ctrl-a d. If the program itself exits on an error, Screen cannot keep it alive. Inspect the reattached window, its exit status, and any application log. For services that must restart automatically, use a service manager or process supervisor instead of relying solely on an interactive terminal multiplexer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Share a session safely
Screen supports multiuser sessions, but sharing is not enabled accidentally. A session owner can enable multiuser mode and grant an account access through Screen’s command interface. The precise sequence is:
- Attach to the session as its owner.
- Press Ctrl-a, then type
:multiuser onand press Enter. - Press Ctrl-a, type
:acladd username, and press Enter to add the intended account. - Have the second account attach to the owner’s session with an appropriate
screen -xcommand, using the identifier shown byscreen -ls.
Grant only the access required for the task. A shared Screen session exposes every visible shell and command, so do not use it to share a privileged root shell unless there is a controlled, documented reason. Protect the Screen socket directory, VPS accounts, SSH keys, and any log files. Multiuser access does not bypass normal Unix permissions and should be removed when the collaboration ends.
Password protection and ACL controls are separate decisions from simply knowing a session name. Review who can read the session socket and who can log in to the VPS, and avoid granting broad access when read-only observation is sufficient.
Screen and tmux: which should you use?
Both tools provide persistent terminal sessions and window switching. The practical choice often depends on what your distribution maintains and what your team already knows.
| Decision point | Screen | tmux |
|---|---|---|
| Core workflow | Named sessions, detach with Ctrl-a d, list with screen -ls, reattach with screen -r. |
Sessions and windows with a different command prefix and command set. |
| RHEL 8 availability | Omitted from RHEL 8’s standard distribution; an approved alternative or community package is needed. | Recommended maintained alternative on RHEL 8. |
| Existing familiarity | Convenient when administrators already use the Ctrl-a workflow or need compatibility with older procedures. | Convenient when the team standardizes on tmux and its configuration ecosystem. |
| Sharing and logging | Provides multiuser ACL controls and built-in logging options; configure both deliberately. | Also supports session sharing and logging, but the commands and defaults differ. |
Do not mix instructions between the two programs: a Screen prefix, session option, or socket command is not automatically valid in tmux. On a distribution where Screen is unsupported, choosing the maintained package is generally safer than forcing an unmaintained installation. On Ubuntu, Debian, and compatible systems where Screen is packaged and your team already knows its controls, installing the repository version is usually the simplest path.
Operational habits that prevent lost work
- Use a unique, descriptive session name for every significant task.
- Run
screen -lsbefore reattaching or taking over an attached session. - Detach deliberately with Ctrl-a d before closing SSH when possible.
- Keep production work in a dedicated Unix account rather than a shared root login.
- Record the command, working directory, and expected completion condition outside the Screen window so another administrator can identify the job.
- Protect or avoid logs when terminal output may contain credentials or personal data.
- Use a service manager for daemons, automatic restarts, health checks, and boot-time startup.
- Clean up completed sessions so old names do not make a later
screen -rambiguous. - Coordinate before using
screen -d -ror killing a window that another operator may be viewing.
Quick command reference
| Purpose | Command or key sequence |
|---|---|
| Install on Ubuntu or Debian | sudo apt update && sudo apt install screen |
| Install on RHEL 7-compatible systems | sudo yum install screen |
| Install on Fedora | sudo dnf install screen |
| Check the installed version | screen --version |
| Start a named session | screen -S name |
| Detach while leaving work running | Ctrl-a d |
| List sessions | screen -ls |
| Reattach a detached session | screen -r name |
| Detach elsewhere and reattach here | screen -d -r name |
| Start with logging | screen -L -S name |
| Remove confirmed dead entries | screen -wipe |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install Screen on my VPS?
Identify the distribution first. On Ubuntu or Debian run sudo apt update and sudo apt install screen; on RHEL 7-compatible systems use sudo yum install screen when the package is in an enabled repository; on Fedora use sudo dnf install screen. Confirm with screen --version.
How do I keep a process running after I disconnect SSH?
Start the command inside a named session with screen -S name, then press Ctrl-a and d to detach. The session and its child process remain available while you close SSH. Reconnect later and run screen -r name.
How do I detach and reattach a Screen session?
Detach sequentially with Ctrl-a, then d. After reconnecting, list sessions with screen -ls and reattach with screen -r name. If the old terminal is still marked attached and you have confirmed it is abandoned, use screen -d -r name.
Why does screen -r say there are multiple sessions?
More than one session matches the name or abbreviated identifier. Run screen -ls, then use the complete identifier such as screen -r 12345.deploy or choose a more specific session name.
What should I do when Screen says a session is already attached?
Check screen -ls and determine whether another administrator is using it. Coordinate with that person when possible. If the connection is genuinely abandoned, deliberately detach the old display and attach yours with screen -d -r name.
Can I use Screen on RHEL 8?
Screen is omitted from the standard RHEL 8 distribution, and Red Hat recommends the maintained tmux alternative. An approved community-supported package may be available through EPEL 8, but use it only when your repository and security policy allow it.
How do I remove a dead Screen session?
First verify that the session is truly destroyed and that no administrator is using it. Then run screen -wipe to remove destroyed-session entries. Do not use the cleanup command blindly on a shared VPS.
Does Screen replace a service manager?
No. Screen preserves an interactive terminal and its child processes, but it does not provide automatic restarts, boot-time startup, or health checks. Use a service manager or process supervisor for those requirements.
Can two administrators share one Screen session?
Yes, but sharing must be enabled explicitly. The owner can enter :multiuser on, grant an account with :acladd username, and have the second user attach with an appropriate screen -x command. Limit access and avoid sharing privileged shells.
Why is my terminal garbled after I reattach?
A changed terminal size, interrupted SSH connection, or different terminal emulation can affect the display. Resize the local terminal, reconnect, and attach again. Check $TERM in the outer shell and Screen session; behavior depends on the client and terminal combination.
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Install the package for your distribution, start every long-running interactive task inside a descriptive session, detach with Ctrl-a d, and inspect with screen -ls before reattaching. Use screen -d -r, logging, multiuser access, and cleanup commands deliberately, and choose tmux on RHEL 8 when that is the maintained supported option.
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