How to view multiple files in single terminal?

Question

Sometimes I may need to access multiple log files for troubleshooting , but I don't want to open them in different terminals.

What I want is to open them in same terminal.

Is there any way I can view tail part of the multiple log files in a same terminal window ?

I don't have the time to post it as an answer, but you can open many files in one vim window. — don.joey, Mar 01 '14 at 15:02

nux · Answer 1 · 2014-05-01T14:46:19.287

If you have for example /var/log/syslog, /var/log/auth.log log files, you can view them both in one terminal by executing tail -f command .

Open terminal and add the following command:

tail -f /var/log/syslog  /var/log/auth.log

The output:

==> /var/log/syslog <==
Mar  4 17:44:15 client AptDaemon: INFO: Quitting due to inactivity
    Mar  4 17:44:15 client dbus[815]: [system] Activating service name='org.debian.apt' (using servicehelper)


==> /var/log/auth.log <==
Mar  4 16:17:01 client CRON[13628]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
Mar  4 16:17:01 client CRON[13628]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root

score 9 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 12 '14 at 01:24

9

To view tail part of multiple files in the single terminal window you can install multitail :

sudo apt-get install multitail

Usage: multitail <filename1> <filename2>.

So the output will be part of file1 and part of file2 in the same terminal.

hope that helps.

edited Mar 12 '14 at 01:24

nux

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answered Mar 01 '14 at 14:15

Raja G

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I've found this to be by far the most convenient way to monitor multiple log files. Very handy to work with and is customizable beyond belief. It can even stream log files to a specified port to be tail-ed from a remote machine. Can't recommend it enough. – user1853181 Mar 02 '14 at 07:48

score 5 · Answer 3 · edited Mar 04 '14 at 19:50

5

If you have to ssh into a remote machine to watch the logs there, you can run tmux (or screen) there , and tail the logs in split windows. Works local as well.

edited Mar 04 '14 at 19:50

nux

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answered Mar 01 '14 at 14:51

Klaus-Dieter Warzecha

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score 4 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 09 '14 at 21:47

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In the default gnome-terminal, you can just use tabs - 'File' -> 'New Tab'

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You can switch between the tabs with Alt+TAB NUMBER , each tab behaves similar to a new terminal. You can also switch with Ctrl+PgUp/PgDwn .

You can also detach one of the tabs into a new terminal window with 'Terminal' -> 'Detach Tab' .

edited Mar 09 '14 at 21:47

nux

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answered Mar 01 '14 at 14:34

Wilf

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you really didnt get my point. I dont want to do it in many terminals.I want to do it in single terminal. – Raja G Mar 01 '14 at 17:48
Sorry... just thought I would add in a conventional way. – Wilf Mar 01 '14 at 17:55

score 3 · Answer 5 · edited May 13 '14 at 17:47

3

You can use tabnew <filename> in vim. To switch between tabs you can use Ctrl+PgUp and Ctrl+PgDwn.

You can jump to the end of file by pressing G in Terminal.

edited May 13 '14 at 17:47

nux

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answered Mar 01 '14 at 17:34

user1857492

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How to view multiple files in single terminal?

5 Answers5