xref: /freebsd/contrib/less/less.hlp (revision 252d6dde57d5dd0184929d1f8fb65e7713f51c6d)
1
2                   SSUUMMMMAARRYY OOFF LLEESSSS CCOOMMMMAANNDDSS
3
4      Commands marked with * may be preceded by a number, _N.
5      Notes in parentheses indicate the behavior if _N is given.
6      A key preceded by a caret indicates the Ctrl key; thus ^K is ctrl-K.
7
8  h  H                 Display this help.
9  q  :q  Q  :Q  ZZ     Exit.
10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
12                           MMOOVVIINNGG
13
14  e  ^E  j  ^N  CR  *  Forward  one line   (or _N lines).
15  y  ^Y  k  ^K  ^P  *  Backward one line   (or _N lines).
16  ESC-j             *  Forward  one file line (or _N file lines).
17  ESC-k             *  Backward one file line (or _N file lines).
18  f  ^F  ^V  SPACE  *  Forward  one window (or _N lines).
19  b  ^B  ESC-v      *  Backward one window (or _N lines).
20  z                 *  Forward  one window (and set window to _N).
21  w                 *  Backward one window (and set window to _N).
22  ESC-SPACE         *  Forward  one window, but don't stop at end-of-file.
23  ESC-b             *  Backward one window, but don't stop at beginning-of-file.
24  d  ^D             *  Forward  one half-window (and set half-window to _N).
25  u  ^U             *  Backward one half-window (and set half-window to _N).
26  ESC-)  RightArrow *  Right one half screen width (or _N positions).
27  ESC-(  LeftArrow  *  Left  one half screen width (or _N positions).
28  ESC-}  ^RightArrow   Right to last column displayed.
29  ESC-{  ^LeftArrow    Left  to first column.
30  F                    Forward forever; like "tail -f".
31  ESC-F                Like F but stop when search pattern is found.
32  r  ^R  ^L            Repaint screen.
33  R                    Repaint screen, discarding buffered input.
34        ---------------------------------------------------
35        Default "window" is the screen height.
36        Default "half-window" is half of the screen height.
37 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
38
39                          SSEEAARRCCHHIINNGG
40
41  /_p_a_t_t_e_r_n          *  Search forward for (_N-th) matching line.
42  ?_p_a_t_t_e_r_n          *  Search backward for (_N-th) matching line.
43  n                 *  Repeat previous search (for _N-th occurrence).
44  N                 *  Repeat previous search in reverse direction.
45  ESC-n             *  Repeat previous search, spanning files.
46  ESC-N             *  Repeat previous search, reverse dir. & spanning files.
47  ^O^N  ^On         *  Search forward for (_N-th) OSC8 hyperlink.
48  ^O^P  ^Op         *  Search backward for (_N-th) OSC8 hyperlink.
49  ^O^L  ^Ol            Jump to the currently selected OSC8 hyperlink.
50  ESC-u                Undo (toggle) search highlighting.
51  ESC-U                Clear search highlighting.
52  &_p_a_t_t_e_r_n          *  Display only matching lines.
53        ---------------------------------------------------
54		Search is case-sensitive unless changed with -i or -I.
55        A search pattern may begin with one or more of:
56        ^N or !  Search for NON-matching lines.
57        ^E or *  Search multiple files (pass thru END OF FILE).
58        ^F or @  Start search at FIRST file (for /) or last file (for ?).
59        ^K       Highlight matches, but don't move (KEEP position).
60        ^R       Don't use REGULAR EXPRESSIONS.
61        ^S _n     Search for match in _n-th parenthesized subpattern.
62        ^W       WRAP search if no match found.
63        ^L       Enter next character literally into pattern.
64 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
65
66                           JJUUMMPPIINNGG
67
68  g  <  ESC-<       *  Go to first line in file (or line _N).
69  G  >  ESC->       *  Go to last line in file (or line _N).
70  p  %              *  Go to beginning of file (or _N percent into file).
71  t                 *  Go to the (_N-th) next tag.
72  T                 *  Go to the (_N-th) previous tag.
73  {  (  [           *  Find close bracket } ) ].
74  }  )  ]           *  Find open bracket { ( [.
75  ESC-^F _<_c_1_> _<_c_2_>  *  Find close bracket _<_c_2_>.
76  ESC-^B _<_c_1_> _<_c_2_>  *  Find open bracket _<_c_1_>.
77        ---------------------------------------------------
78        Each "find close bracket" command goes forward to the close bracket
79          matching the (_N-th) open bracket in the top line.
80        Each "find open bracket" command goes backward to the open bracket
81          matching the (_N-th) close bracket in the bottom line.
82
83  m_<_l_e_t_t_e_r_>            Mark the current top line with <letter>.
84  M_<_l_e_t_t_e_r_>            Mark the current bottom line with <letter>.
85  '_<_l_e_t_t_e_r_>            Go to a previously marked position.
86  ''                   Go to the previous position.
87  ^X^X                 Same as '.
88  ESC-m_<_l_e_t_t_e_r_>        Clear a mark.
89        ---------------------------------------------------
90        A mark is any upper-case or lower-case letter.
91        Certain marks are predefined:
92             ^  means  beginning of the file
93             $  means  end of the file
94 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
95
96                        CCHHAANNGGIINNGG FFIILLEESS
97
98  :e [_f_i_l_e]            Examine a new file.
99  ^X^V                 Same as :e.
100  :n                *  Examine the (_N-th) next file from the command line.
101  :p                *  Examine the (_N-th) previous file from the command line.
102  :x                *  Examine the first (or _N-th) file from the command line.
103  ^O^O                 Open the currently selected OSC8 hyperlink.
104  :d                   Delete the current file from the command line list.
105  =  ^G  :f            Print current file name.
106 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
107
108                    MMIISSCCEELLLLAANNEEOOUUSS CCOOMMMMAANNDDSS
109
110  -_<_f_l_a_g_>              Toggle a command line option [see OPTIONS below].
111  --_<_n_a_m_e_>             Toggle a command line option, by name.
112  __<_f_l_a_g_>              Display the setting of a command line option.
113  ___<_n_a_m_e_>             Display the setting of an option, by name.
114  +_c_m_d                 Execute the less cmd each time a new file is examined.
115
116  !_c_o_m_m_a_n_d             Execute the shell command with $SHELL.
117  #_c_o_m_m_a_n_d             Execute the shell command, expanded like a prompt.
118  |XX_c_o_m_m_a_n_d            Pipe file between current pos & mark XX to shell command.
119  s _f_i_l_e               Save input to a file.
120  v                    Edit the current file with $VISUAL or $EDITOR.
121  V                    Print version number of "less".
122 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
123
124                           OOPPTTIIOONNSS
125
126        Most options may be changed either on the command line,
127        or from within less by using the - or -- command.
128        Options may be given in one of two forms: either a single
129        character preceded by a -, or a name preceded by --.
130
131  -?  ........  --help
132                  Display help (from command line).
133  -a  ........  --search-skip-screen
134                  Search skips current screen.
135  -A  ........  --SEARCH-SKIP-SCREEN
136                  Search starts just after target line.
137  -b [_N]  ....  --buffers=[_N]
138                  Number of buffers.
139  -B  ........  --auto-buffers
140                  Don't automatically allocate buffers for pipes.
141  -c  ........  --clear-screen
142                  Repaint by clearing rather than scrolling.
143  -d  ........  --dumb
144                  Dumb terminal.
145  -D xx_c_o_l_o_r  .  --color=xx_c_o_l_o_r
146                  Set screen colors.
147  -e  -E  ....  --quit-at-eof  --QUIT-AT-EOF
148                  Quit at end of file.
149  -f  ........  --force
150                  Force open non-regular files.
151  -F  ........  --quit-if-one-screen
152                  Quit if entire file fits on first screen.
153  -g  ........  --hilite-search
154                  Highlight only last match for searches.
155  -G  ........  --HILITE-SEARCH
156                  Don't highlight any matches for searches.
157  -h [_N]  ....  --max-back-scroll=[_N]
158                  Backward scroll limit.
159  -i  ........  --ignore-case
160                  Ignore case in searches that do not contain uppercase.
161  -I  ........  --IGNORE-CASE
162                  Ignore case in all searches.
163  -j [_N]  ....  --jump-target=[_N]
164                  Screen position of target lines.
165  -J  ........  --status-column
166                  Display a status column at left edge of screen.
167  -k _f_i_l_e  ...  --lesskey-file=_f_i_l_e
168                  Use a compiled lesskey file.
169  -K  ........  --quit-on-intr
170                  Exit less in response to ctrl-C.
171  -L  ........  --no-lessopen
172                  Ignore the LESSOPEN environment variable.
173  -m  -M  ....  --long-prompt  --LONG-PROMPT
174                  Set prompt style.
175  -n .........  --line-numbers
176                  Suppress line numbers in prompts and messages.
177  -N .........  --LINE-NUMBERS
178                  Display line number at start of each line.
179  -o [_f_i_l_e] ..  --log-file=[_f_i_l_e]
180                  Copy to log file (standard input only).
181  -O [_f_i_l_e] ..  --LOG-FILE=[_f_i_l_e]
182                  Copy to log file (unconditionally overwrite).
183  -p _p_a_t_t_e_r_n .  --pattern=[_p_a_t_t_e_r_n]
184                  Start at pattern (from command line).
185  -P [_p_r_o_m_p_t]   --prompt=[_p_r_o_m_p_t]
186                  Define new prompt.
187  -q  -Q  ....  --quiet  --QUIET  --silent --SILENT
188                  Quiet the terminal bell.
189  -r  -R  ....  --raw-control-chars  --RAW-CONTROL-CHARS
190                  Output "raw" control characters.
191  -s  ........  --squeeze-blank-lines
192                  Squeeze multiple blank lines.
193  -S  ........  --chop-long-lines
194                  Chop (truncate) long lines rather than wrapping.
195  -t _t_a_g  ....  --tag=[_t_a_g]
196                  Find a tag.
197  -T [_t_a_g_s_f_i_l_e] --tag-file=[_t_a_g_s_f_i_l_e]
198                  Use an alternate tags file.
199  -u  -U  ....  --underline-special  --UNDERLINE-SPECIAL
200                  Change handling of backspaces, tabs and carriage returns.
201  -V  ........  --version
202                  Display the version number of "less".
203  -w  ........  --hilite-unread
204                  Highlight first new line after forward-screen.
205  -W  ........  --HILITE-UNREAD
206                  Highlight first new line after any forward movement.
207  -x [_N[,...]]  --tabs=[_N[,...]]
208                  Set tab stops.
209  -X  ........  --no-init
210                  Don't use termcap init/deinit strings.
211  -y [_N]  ....  --max-forw-scroll=[_N]
212                  Forward scroll limit.
213  -z [_N]  ....  --window=[_N]
214                  Set size of window.
215  -" [_c[_c]]  .  --quotes=[_c[_c]]
216                  Set shell quote characters.
217  -~  ........  --tilde
218                  Don't display tildes after end of file.
219  -# [_N]  ....  --shift=[_N]
220                  Set horizontal scroll amount (0 = one half screen width).
221
222                --exit-follow-on-close
223                  Exit F command on a pipe when writer closes pipe.
224                --file-size
225                  Automatically determine the size of the input file.
226                --follow-name
227                  The F command changes files if the input file is renamed.
228                --form-feed
229                  Stop scrolling when a form feed character is reached.
230                --header=[_L[,_C[,_N]]]
231                  Use _L lines (starting at line _N) and _C columns as headers.
232                --incsearch
233                  Search file as each pattern character is typed in.
234                --intr=[_C]
235                  Use _C instead of ^X to interrupt a read.
236                --lesskey-context=_t_e_x_t
237                  Use lesskey source file contents.
238                --lesskey-src=_f_i_l_e
239                  Use a lesskey source file.
240                --line-num-width=[_N]
241                  Set the width of the -N line number field to _N characters.
242                --match-shift=[_N]
243                  Show at least _N characters to the left of a search match.
244                --modelines=[_N]
245                  Read _N lines from the input file and look for vim modelines.
246                --mouse
247                  Enable mouse input.
248                --no-edit-warn
249                  Don't warn when using v command on a file opened via LESSOPEN.
250                --no-keypad
251                  Don't send termcap keypad init/deinit strings.
252                --no-histdups
253                  Remove duplicates from command history.
254                --no-number-headers
255                  Don't give line numbers to header lines.
256                --no-paste
257                  Ignore pasted input.
258                --no-search-header-lines
259                  Searches do not include header lines.
260                --no-search-header-columns
261                  Searches do not include header columns.
262                --no-search-headers
263                  Searches do not include header lines or columns.
264                --no-vbell
265                  Disable the terminal's visual bell.
266                --redraw-on-quit
267                  Redraw final screen when quitting.
268                --rscroll=[_C]
269                  Set the character used to mark truncated lines.
270                --save-marks
271                  Retain marks across invocations of less.
272                --search-options=[EFKNRW-]
273                  Set default options for every search.
274                --show-preproc-errors
275                  Display a message if preprocessor exits with an error status.
276                --proc-backspace
277                  Process backspaces for bold/underline.
278                --PROC-BACKSPACE
279                  Treat backspaces as control characters.
280                --proc-return
281                  Delete carriage returns before newline.
282                --PROC-RETURN
283                  Treat carriage returns as control characters.
284                --proc-tab
285                  Expand tabs to spaces.
286                --PROC-TAB
287                  Treat tabs as control characters.
288                --status-col-width=[_N]
289                  Set the width of the -J status column to _N characters.
290                --status-line
291                  Highlight or color the entire line containing a mark.
292                --use-backslash
293                  Subsequent options use backslash as escape char.
294                --use-color
295                  Enables colored text.
296                --wheel-lines=[_N]
297                  Each click of the mouse wheel moves _N lines.
298                --wordwrap
299                  Wrap lines at spaces.
300
301
302 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
303
304                          LLIINNEE EEDDIITTIINNGG
305
306        These keys can be used to edit text being entered
307        on the "command line" at the bottom of the screen.
308
309 RightArrow ..................... ESC-l ... Move cursor right one character.
310 LeftArrow ...................... ESC-h ... Move cursor left one character.
311 ctrl-RightArrow  ESC-RightArrow  ESC-w ... Move cursor right one word.
312 ctrl-LeftArrow   ESC-LeftArrow   ESC-b ... Move cursor left one word.
313 HOME ........................... ESC-0 ... Move cursor to start of line.
314 END ............................ ESC-$ ... Move cursor to end of line.
315 BACKSPACE ................................ Delete char to left of cursor.
316 DELETE ......................... ESC-x ... Delete char under cursor.
317 ctrl-BACKSPACE   ESC-BACKSPACE ........... Delete word to left of cursor.
318 ctrl-DELETE .... ESC-DELETE .... ESC-X ... Delete word under cursor.
319 ctrl-U ......... ESC (MS-DOS only) ....... Delete entire line.
320 UpArrow ........................ ESC-k ... Retrieve previous command line.
321 DownArrow ...................... ESC-j ... Retrieve next command line.
322 TAB ...................................... Complete filename & cycle.
323 SHIFT-TAB ...................... ESC-TAB   Complete filename & reverse cycle.
324 ctrl-L ................................... Complete filename, list all.
325