How to use the command lynx (with examples)
Lynx is a command-line web browser that allows users to browse the internet and access websites from the command line interface. It provides a text-based interface with navigation features and supports various options to customize the browsing experience.
Use case 1: Visit a website
Code:
lynx example.com
Motivation: This use case allows users to visit a specific website using the Lynx command-line web browser. This can be useful when you need to quickly access website content without opening a graphical web browser.
Explanation: The lynx command is followed by the URL of the website you want to visit. In this case, example.com is the placeholder for the URL. Replace it with the actual website URL you want to visit.
Example output: Lynx will fetch the HTML content of the website and display it in the command line interface, allowing you to browse through the text-based representation of the webpage.
Use case 2: Apply restrictions for anonymous account
Code:
lynx -anonymous example.com
Motivation: When browsing websites anonymously, it can be beneficial to apply certain restrictions to protect your privacy. This use case allows you to browse a website using the Lynx command-line web browser while staying anonymous.
Explanation: The -anonymous option is used to enable restrictions for an anonymous account in Lynx. When this option is specified, the browser hides the user’s identity and prevents websites from tracking their activities.
Example output: Lynx will browse the specified website using an anonymous account, preventing the disclosure of personal information and avoiding any tracking by the website.
Use case 3: Turn on mouse support, if available
Code:
lynx -use_mouse example.com
Motivation: Enabling mouse support in Lynx can improve the browsing experience by allowing users to navigate through links using the mouse instead of keyboard shortcuts.
Explanation: The -use_mouse option is used to turn on mouse support in Lynx. This option is useful when running Lynx on a terminal emulator with mouse support enabled.
Example output: When mouse support is enabled, you can navigate through links on the website by simply clicking on them with the mouse, providing a more intuitive browsing experience.
Use case 4: Force color mode on, if available
Code:
lynx -color example.com
Motivation: Browsing the web in color mode can enhance the visual experience and make it easier to distinguish different elements on a webpage.
Explanation: The -color option is used to force color mode on Lynx if it is available. This option enables rendering webpages using colors when supported by the terminal emulator.
Example output: When color mode is enabled, Lynx displays the webpage using different colors for various elements such as links, text, headings, etc., making it easier to navigate and read the content.
Use case 5: Open a link, using a specific file to read and write cookies
Code:
lynx -cookie_file=path/to/file example.com
Motivation: When browsing websites that require cookies for authentication or session management, using a specific file to read and write cookies can be useful to maintain continuity across sessions.
Explanation: The -cookie_file option allows you to specify a path to a file where Lynx can read and write cookies. Cookies are small pieces of data stored by websites on the user’s computer. By using a cookie file, Lynx can maintain session information and retain login/session data.
Example output: Lynx will open the specified website using the cookie file provided. This ensures that authentication and session data, if present, are maintained between visits to the website.
Use case 6: Navigate forwards and backwards through the links on a page
Code:
Up arrow key, Down arrow key
Motivation: While browsing a website, it is often necessary to navigate forwards or backwards through the links on a page. This use case provides the keyboard shortcuts to achieve this in Lynx.
Explanation: In Lynx, pressing the up arrow key moves the cursor to the previous link on a page, while pressing the down arrow key moves the cursor to the next link on a page. This allows users to navigate through different links on a webpage easily.
Example output: When you press the up or down arrow key, the cursor moves to the previous or next link respectively, highlighting the link and allowing you to select and navigate to it.
Use case 7: Go back to the previously displayed page
Code:
Left arrow key or u
Motivation: While navigating through a website in Lynx, going back to the previously displayed page can be useful when you want to re-read a section or revisit a previously visited link.
Explanation: In Lynx, pressing the left arrow key or the letter ‘u’ allows users to go back to the previously displayed page. This effectively lets you revisit the content that was displayed before you navigated to the current page.
Example output: When you press the left arrow key or ‘u’, Lynx takes you back to the previously displayed page, displaying the content that was shown before you moved to the current page.
Use case 8: Exit
Code:
q then y
Motivation: When you are done browsing a website or need to exit the Lynx command-line web browser for any reason, this use case provides the keyboard shortcuts to exit the browser.
Explanation: Pressing ‘q’ in Lynx triggers the exit prompt, asking if you want to quit. To confirm and exit, press ‘y’.
Example output: When you press ‘q’, Lynx prompts whether you want to quit. When you press ‘y’ after ‘q’, Lynx exits, returning you to the command line interface.
Conclusion:
Lynx is a powerful command-line web browser that enables users to browse websites and access web content directly from the command line interface. By utilizing the various options and keyboard shortcuts provided by Lynx, users can customize their browsing experience and navigate through webpages efficiently. Whether you want to browse the web anonymously, navigate through links using mouse support, or control cookie handling, Lynx offers a range of features to meet your browsing needs.
