How to split GNU/Screen at start?

**longman** · February 25th, 2009

Hello,

Can't figure it out myself or with Google's help, perhaps someone here might help me.

I would like to start the Screen program with several new windows and with a certain layout. So that basically i want predefined layout at start, let's say screen splitted once horizontally and then once vertically (i have applied the patch for vertical splitting). And in each part of the splitted screen a new terminal instance running.

Is there a way to achieve that?
Thanks for help!

**geraldm** · February 25th, 2009

The screen program uses the full screen, and allows switching between screens.
You are using a patched program, so you should know what that patch does.
Dividing the screen into subsections would be a software problem.
Look into a curses program, such as ncurses. It should do what you are suggesting.

Gerald

**geirha** · February 25th, 2009

Using an unpatched screen, the following screenrc creates a horizontal split with window 0 at top and window 1 at bottom.

Code:

split
screen
focus
screen

Does that help?

**Yashiro** · February 25th, 2009

Or try http://www.tenshu.net/terminator/

**longman** · February 26th, 2009

Originally Posted by geirha

Using an unpatched screen, the following screenrc creates a horizontal split with window 0 at top and window 1 at bottom.

Code:

split
screen
focus
screen

Does that help?

Yes, it does exactly what i wanted! Thanks a lot, will try to adjust the .screenrc file.
Wohoo!

PS. Terminator is a nice app, however i need something what would work with or without X's. Screen is really great for that.
PPS. In case someone is interesting, here is my simple .screenrc file:

Code:

startup_message       off
vert_split
screen
focus
screen -t mc 0 mc

Here is great collection of examples:
http://www.softpanorama.org/Utilitie...examples.shtml

**Lividity** · March 13th, 2009

I split mine into 4ths. Here's how:

# Uninstall screen if you have it installed already

Code:

sudo aptitude purge screen

# Install dependencies to build screen

Code:

sudo apt-get build-dep screen

# Create an area to hold the source

Code:

cd ~/
mkdir screen
cd screen

# Get the latest source

Code:

wget http://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/screen/screen-4.0.3.tar.gz

# Extract the source

Code:

tar xvf screen-4.0.3.tar.gz

# Download extract and apply vertical split patch

Code:

cd screen-4.0.3/
wget http://vsp4sdl.yuggoth.org/wrp_vertical_split_0.3_4.0.2.diff.bz2
bunzip2 wrp_vertical_split_0.3_4.0.2.diff.bz2
patch -p1 < wrp_vertical_split_0.3_4.0.2.diff

# Build it!

Code:

./configure && make

# Install it!

Code:

sudo mv screen /usr/local/bin/

#Use my .screenrc

Code:

nano ~/.screenrc

##########.screenrc##########
activity "%c activity -> %n%f %t"
autodetach on
altscreen on
bell "%c bell -> %n%f %t^G"
defflow auto
defscrollback 10000
defutf8 on
msgwait 2 # 1 second messages
startup_message off # disable the startup splash message
shell -bash
vbell_msg "[[[ ding ]]]"
vbell off
nethack on
zombie cr

# remove some key bindings
bind k
bind W
bind ^k
bind .
bind ^\
bind \\
bind ^h
bind h
# make them safer
bind 'K' kill
bind 'W' windowlist
bind 'V' vert_split

# F8 to turn the status bar off
#bindkey -k k8 hardstatus alwayslastline
# F9 to turn the status bar on
#bindkey -k k9 hardstatus alwaysignore
# F5 and F6 to move one screen forward or backward
bindkey -k k5 prev
bindkey -k k6 next

split
screen -t rtorrent rtorrent -o http_capath=/etc/ssl/certs
vert_split
focus up
screen -t irssi irssi
focus up
screen -t bash bash
focus down
vert_split
screen -t bash bash
focus down
select irssi

# If you need more terms then uncomment however many you need.
#screen -t bash bash
#screen -t bash7 bash
#screen -t bash8 bash
#screen -t bash9 bash

########End of script########