How to use the command 'bpytop' (with examples)

Bpytop is a sophisticated resource monitoring tool written in Python. It provides detailed real-time information about your system’s CPU, memory, disks, network, and processes. As a Python adaptation of the popular ‘bashtop’, it is designed to offer a visually appealing interface packed with features to manage system resources effectively. It’s particularly useful for system admins and developers who need to consistently monitor the performance and workload of their servers or personal computers.

Use case 1: Start bpytop

Code:

bpytop

Motivation: Starting bpytop without any additional flags is the most straightforward approach to access its full suite of monitoring capabilities. This is ideal for users who want to explore all aspects of their system’s performance in one place, as it provides a comprehensive display of CPU usage, memory, disk IO, network activity, and running processes.

Explanation:

• bpytop: By executing the command bpytop, you’re launching the program in its default, fully-featured mode. No additional arguments are needed for full access to monitoring data.

Example output: Upon running bpytop, you would see a dynamic, colorful dashboard displaying various statistics such as CPU usage for each core, total system memory usage, network bandwidth, and a list of currently active processes with their respective CPU and memory usage percentages.

Use case 2: Start in minimal mode without memory and networking boxes

Code:

bpytop -m

Motivation: Minimal mode is beneficial when you need to focus solely on CPU processes without the distraction of additional system metrics such as memory or network data. This could be particularly useful during CPU-intensive tasks, where you want to monitor the CPU load without unnecessary data cluttering the interface.

Explanation:

• -m: The -m flag is used to start bpytop in a minimalist mode. It simplifies the interface by hiding memory and network statistics, allowing for a more focused view on CPU performance and process management.

Example output: With minimal mode activated, the interface simplifies by removing memory and network information boxes, leaving you with only CPU stats and process lists, which makes it easier to focus on specific tasks or troubleshooting CPU-related issues.

Use case 3: Toggle minimal mode

Code:

m

Motivation: Toggling minimal mode allows you to dynamically switch between full and minimal displays based on your real-time needs. This flexibility means that you can adjust the amount of information you receive from bpytop without restarting the program, making it adaptable to changing monitoring requirements.

Explanation:

• m: Pressing ‘m’ while bpytop is running toggles the minimal mode on and off in real-time. It’s a quick keyboard shortcut to adjust the display to the information you currently need.

Example output: Pressing ’m’ instantly changes the display to show or hide memory and network statistics, reflecting the toggle between minimal and full modes.

Use case 4: Search for running programs or processes

Code:

f

Motivation: Searching for specific processes within bpytop is vital when you need to locate and focus on a particular application or service quickly. This can be useful for troubleshooting purposes or when you’re focusing on the performance implications of a particular program.

Explanation:

• f: Pressing ‘f’ initiates a search function within bpytop, allowing you to input your search criteria and directly filter through the list of processes for matches.

Example output: When ‘f’ is pressed, a search bar is displayed, allowing you to enter process names. Matching results from the processes list will be highlighted, making it easy to pinpoint processes of interest.

Use case 5: Change settings

Code:

M

Motivation: Accessing the settings menu within bpytop allows you to customize the application’s behavior and appearance according to your preferences. This is useful for personalizing your monitoring experience, adjusting settings like update frequency, color themes, and enabling or disabling logging.

Explanation:

• M: Pressing ‘M’ takes you to the main menu where you can change various settings of bpytop. This includes graphical and performance settings, network configurations among other customizable options.

Example output: Upon pressing ‘M’, you’ll see a menu with various configurable options, which you can navigate and adjust to modify how bpytop displays and logs system performance data.

Use case 6: Display version

Code:

bpytop -v

Motivation: Knowing which version of bpytop you are using can be important for troubleshooting compatibility issues or when checking for updates. This ensures that you’re maximizing the tool’s capabilities by using the latest features and optimizations available.

Explanation:

• -v: The -v flag provides the current version of bpytop installed on your system. It’s a simple query that confirms the software version in use without initiating the monitoring interface.

Example output: Running bpytop -v returns a simple text output displaying the current version of bpytop, for example, “bpytop version 1.0.0”.

Conclusion:

Bpytop is a powerful tool offering immense flexibility and depth in monitoring system resources. Whether you’re interested in a full overview or specific subsets of data, bpytop provides the functionality to customize your experience to meet specific monitoring needs. Its rich feature set and intuitive shortcuts make bpytop an invaluable utility for any user looking to maintain a close eye on system performance.