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lynx — text web browser - usage and tips

Lynx can access HTTP(S), Gopher, FTP, WAIS and NNTP servers.

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-dump | dump formatted output to stdout.
-source | dump html output to stdout.
-socks5_proxy=IP[:PORT] | use socks5 proxy.

Lynx can use the environment variable SOCKS5_PROXY, the command line option or work through torsocks. It will not read a socks5 proxy set on with the http(s)_proxy environment variable.

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-session=FILE | read/save session from/to FILE.
-sessionin=FILE | read session from FILE.
-sessionout=FILE | save session to FILE.
Sessions can be saved by setting "Auto Session" to ON and setting a "Session file". The session can be loaded with lynx -session=FILENAME. The session will save visited links.

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lynx does not have options for profiles. However different lynx.cfg, $HOME/~.lynxrc and/or session files could be used to emulate profiles.

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Options can be changed on lynx through the options menu (o) or by editing ~/.lynxrc.

To save the changes on the options menu, toggle "Save options to disk" and then "Accept changes".

colors | never, off, on (default), always.
User mode | Novice (default), intermediate advanced, minimal.
Multi-bookmarks | off (default), standard, advanced.

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H | help
g | go to URL.
G | edit current URL.
E | edit current selected link.
d | download selected file.

Lynx does not have tabs, however, any link can be revisited by going to the visited links (V).

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Bookmarks can be a single bookmark file or multiple bookmark files. Multi-bookmarks has the following possible values: OFF (default), STANDARD, ADVANCED. It can be set in the Options menu > Multi-bookmarks or ~/.lynxrc > sub_bookmarks.

Options menu > Review/edit bookmarks files. The files can also be edited in ~/.lynxrc, eg.:

multi_bookmarkB=b.html

v | view bookmarks files (files can be selected by selecting the corresponding letter to see all bookmarks).
a | add bookmarks (when using multi-bookmarks, the bookmarks menu will be displayed to select the bookmark file).

Multi-bookmarks use letters a-z to set the bookmarks files.

  1. a: to add a bookmark.
  2. d,l,c: document (current document), link (selected link), cancel.
  3. If multi-bookmarks is set, the bookmarks menu will be displayed.
    1. Select the letter corresponding to the desired bookmarks file.
    2. Set the title for the bookmark.
  4. If multi-bookmarks is off, only the title needs to be set.

  1. v: will display the bookmarks or bookmarks files if multi-bookmarks is set.
  2. If multi-bookmarks is set, select the letter corresponding to the chosen bookmarks file to see the bookmarks.

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Jumpfiles work similar to bookmarks but the items can also have parameters by adding %s to the url. Lynx will prompt the user to enter a parameter per %s in the url. Eg.: https://man.openbsd.org/%s. Jumps can also point to programs or executable scripts. See lynx samples directory for jump examples.

NOTE: the list must be in alphabetical order.

Jumpfiles are defined in lynx.cfg: JUMPFILE:PATH[:key][:prompt] key is necessary only is multiple jumpfiles are specified, key will replace the current bind for the specified key. Prompt will set the prompt displayed to the user.

The first item should be: <dt>?<dd><a href="PATH_TO_JUMPFILE">the list in this jumpfile</a> to show the jumps in the file.

  1. j (or key defined for jumpfile)
  2. Jump shortcut.
  3. Enter parameter if required for the jump.

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Lynx can also be used for directory editing by using lynx on a directory. lynx PATH_TO_DIR

c | create a (f)ile or (d)irectory.
r | remove a file or directory.
e | edit file. (Requires an editor to be set in ~/.lynxrc)

  1. c: to create a directory.
  2. f or d to create file or directory.

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- Add better examples.
- Split doc: bookmarks and jumpfiles.
- Check CGI Script options.
- Check mail options.
- Check NNTP options.
- Check additional cookies options.
- Check Downloader options.
- Check Editor options.
- Check keymap options.

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lynx_config , tor , text_links

- ArchLinux manpages: lynx(1) , links(1) , elinks(1) , w3m(1)

- Thomas E. Dickey - Lynx developer (may be blocked in some countries)
- Mirror of Thomas E. Dickey (Accessible if the main site is blocked)
- Edbrowse, a Command Line Editor Browser

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linux , OpenBSD | Created:2025-11-21|Updated:2025-11-27|