How do I install Alacritty on Ubuntu?

Use package managers like apt or download prebuilt binaries from GitHub releases. Detailed instructions are in the INSTALL.md file, which covers various Linux distributions.

Alacritty vs Kitty terminal: which is better?

Alacritty focuses on GPU-accelerated speed and lean integration, while Kitty offers more built-in features like ligatures. Choose based on whether you prioritize raw performance or out-of-the-box functionality.

Does Alacritty support tabs like other terminals?

No, Alacritty intentionally omits tabs to keep the codebase lean. It integrates with terminal multiplexers like tmux or window managers for tab and split functionality, as explained in the FAQ.

How to change the font and colors in Alacritty?

Edit the TOML configuration file, specifying font family, size, and color schemes under the 'font' and 'colors' sections. The config file must be created manually in one of the standard locations listed in the README.

Is Alacritty good for Windows users?

Yes, but it requires Windows 10 version 1809 or higher for ConPTY support. It offers GPU acceleration and cross-platform consistency, but configuration is done via TOML files, not a GUI.

How does Alacritty handle scrollback?

Alacritty includes efficient scrollback functionality for reviewing terminal history, optimized for performance. This was added in updates and is mentioned in the project's documentation and blog posts.

Open-Awesome

Alacritty

Apache-2.0Rustv0.17.0

A fast, cross-platform, OpenGL terminal emulator with extensive configuration and high performance.

Visit Website GitHub

65.0k stars3.5k forks0 contributors

What is Alacritty?

Alacritty is a cross-platform terminal emulator that uses GPU acceleration via OpenGL to deliver exceptional performance. It provides a modern terminal experience with sensible defaults while allowing extensive customization through configuration files. The project focuses on speed and efficiency by integrating with existing applications rather than reimplementing their functionality.

Target Audience

Developers and system administrators who prioritize terminal performance and customization, particularly those working across multiple operating systems (BSD, Linux, macOS, Windows).

Value Proposition

Alacritty offers the fastest terminal experience through GPU-accelerated rendering while maintaining a lean codebase by integrating with existing tools rather than bloating with built-in features. Its extensive configurability and cross-platform support make it a versatile choice for power users.

Overview

A cross-platform, OpenGL terminal emulator.

Use Cases

Best For

Developers seeking the fastest possible terminal emulator for daily use
Users who prefer configuring their terminal through editable config files
Cross-platform developers needing consistent terminal behavior on BSD/Linux/macOS/Windows
Performance-sensitive workloads like scrolling through large log files
Integration with terminal multiplexers like tmux or screen
Users who value GPU-accelerated rendering for smooth terminal operations

Not Ideal For

Users who need built-in tab management or split panes without external multiplexers
Environments without GPU acceleration or outdated OpenGL support
Teams wanting a GUI-based configuration editor instead of editing TOML files
Projects requiring a stable, production-ready terminal emulator without beta-level features

Pros & Cons

Pros

GPU-Accelerated Performance

Leverages OpenGL for high-speed text rendering and smooth scrolling, making it exceptionally fast for daily use and large logs, as highlighted in the README's benchmarking with vtebench.

Cross-Platform Consistency

Runs on BSD, Linux, macOS, and Windows with consistent behavior, ideal for developers working across multiple operating systems, as stated in the platform support section.

Extensive Customization

Highly configurable through TOML files with multiple standard locations, allowing deep personalization of terminal behavior without bloating the core codebase.

Lean Integration Focus

Designed to work with existing tools like tmux, keeping the codebase efficient and avoiding feature reimplementation, as emphasized in the project philosophy.

Cons

Missing Built-in Features

Lacks tabs, split panes, and a GUI config editor, requiring users to rely on external applications, which the FAQ admits is intentional but may inconvenience some.

Manual Configuration Setup

Does not auto-create config files; users must manually set up TOML files in specific locations, adding complexity for newcomers despite the sensible defaults.

Beta-Level Readiness

Still at a beta stage with some missing features and bugs, as noted in the README, which might not be suitable for all production environments seeking stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

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