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Motivation Behind This Cheatsheet

Sometimes you want to start a download, update, or what have you. Instead of keeping your terminal (remote connection) open, you can start the process using screen, detach, and then exit/logout.

The Cheatsheet

This cheatsheet is for running a command under screen so that you won't have to stay logged in, or worry about your dodgey connection with your remote host.

just run

screen command_you_want

then, when the screen ui opens, you can press C-a d. (Again, thats hold down cntrl and press a, then d while still holding control). You will then recieve a message saying that your process/job is detached.

run

screen -r

to re-attach. or

screen -r process_id_number

to list all the screen pid's:

screen -list

Further Discussion

This is just a quick and dirty on how to use screen to start and detach a process. Screen is normally used in a situation where the connection is unstable. It will create a process which looks much like the normal bash shell (with a few control differences) and keep that screen process running even when the user session ends.

ie, if you ssh into your *nix box, begin your updates with screen, and then logout. The updates will continue until they are finished, even if you are no longer logged in.

for more details, use:

man screen

or better yet, check out the source for a more in depth screen tutorial.

Sources: