$ Linux Command

System

resize

Set terminal window size for remote sessions.

terminalconsolextermsshwindow size

Additional Notes

resize queries and sets the terminal window size. It is primarily used in remote sessions (SSH, telnet, serial) where the local terminal emulator's window size may not be communicated to the remote system automatically.

When run, resize outputs shell commands to set the COLUMNS and LINES environment variables to match the actual terminal dimensions. It can also evaluate these commands directly. This ensures that applications like less, vim, and top properly format their output to fit the terminal window.

Syntax

resize [options]

Parameters

  • options: Flags that change how resize behaves.
  • target: Optional file, device, interface, user, service, or command target when the command supports one.

Common Options

  • -c: Output C shell commands for setting environment variables.
  • -s: Output Bourne shell (sh/bash) commands for setting environment variables.
  • -u: Output Bourne shell commands (same as -s).
  • -x: Output commands suitable for xterm or other terminal emulators.
  • -h, --help: Show help and exit.
  • -v, --version: Show version information.
  • -q, --quiet: Suppress informational messages.
  • -w, --print-window-size: Print window size as rows columns without setting variables.

Examples

resize

Query the terminal size and output shell commands to set COLUMNS and LINES.

eval $(resize)

Evaluate the resize commands for the current shell (bash/sh).

resize -s

Output Bourne shell-style commands (same as default).

resize -c

Output C shell-style commands.

resize -w

Print the current terminal dimensions as rows columns without generating shell commands.

eval $(resize -u)

Evaluate resize commands for a Bourne-compatible shell.

Practical Notes

  • Run eval $(resize) at the command line or add it to your .bashrc to automatically adjust terminal size after SSH connections.
  • Some terminal emulators (like ssh with xterm support) automatically set COLUMNS and LINES. resize is useful when they do not.
  • On modern systems, resize is usually provided by the xterm package.
  • The -w option is useful for scripts that need to know the terminal dimensions without modifying the environment.
  • If you resize your terminal window after connecting, run resize again to update the remote system.
  • Alternatives: use stty size to get rows and columns as two numbers.