How to Use the Reddit Terminal Viewer 'rtv' (with examples)
The Reddit Terminal Viewer (rtv) is a powerful command-line utility that allows users to browse Reddit directly from their terminal. This tool is designed to offer a fast and efficient way to interact with the popular social media platform without the need for a web browser or graphical user interface. With rtv, you can navigate through Reddit’s pages, comment threads, and even post submissions, all using simple key bindings. This is especially useful for individuals who prefer or need to work within a command-line environment or want to boost their productivity by maintaining everything in one place.
Use case 1: Open the front page
Code:
/front
Motivation: Accessing Reddit’s front page is akin to logging onto the social network to glimpse the most popular and trending content across all subreddits. For users who are interested in a wide range of topics and want to stay updated with the discussions surrounding them, checking the front page is an invaluable way to start.
Explanation:
The command /front doesn’t require any additional arguments. It tells rtv to load the front page of Reddit, which aggregates the most upvoted and discussed submissions from across all subreddits.
Example Output:
Upon executing the /front command, the terminal will display a list of submissions that are currently trending. Each entry will typically show information like the title, subreddit, poster, and score. Users can navigate through these using the arrow keys.
Use case 2: Open a subreddit
Code:
/r/subreddit_name
Motivation: Opening a specific subreddit allows users to dive into discussions or content that pique their interest or relate to a specific niche or community. This is especially useful for individuals who are fans of particular topics and want to engage directly with specialized content.
Explanation:
The command /r/subreddit_name requires one argument – subreddit_name, which is the name of the subreddit you wish to access. By providing this, rtv will redirect you to the corresponding subreddit page where you can explore the most recent posts.
Example Output:
When entering, for example, /r/technology, the terminal will display the latest discussions and posts from the technology subreddit. Each entry will include detailed submission information, similar to the front page, oriented around a focused subject matter.
Use case 3: Expand/collapse comments
Code:
<Space>
Motivation: Comments are an integral part of the Reddit experience, as they often contain insightful discussions, debates, and additional information relative to the submission. Having the ability to easily view or hide these comments can enhance your browsing efficiency and allow you to focus on content as needed.
Explanation:
The <Space> key is used to expand or collapse the comment threads on a submission. This does not require any additional arguments and can be used when a submission is currently selected and viewed.
Example Output:
Pressing <Space> while viewing a submission will initially expand the comment section, revealing the top-level comments in a hierarchical format. Successive presses will collapse or re-expand these comments, giving you control over how much of the discussion is visible at any time.
Use case 4: Open link
Code:
o
Motivation: Reddit submissions often include links directing users to external content such as articles, images, or videos. For users interested in exploring these resources, quickly opening the link adds a seamless extension to the browsing experience.
Explanation:
By pressing the o key when highlighting a submission that contains a link, you instruct rtv to open that link in your default web browser.
Example Output:
Upon pressing o, the browser launches and opens the linked page in a new tab or window, allowing you to interact with the content outside of the terminal environment.
Use case 5: Log in
Code:
u
Motivation: Logging into Reddit via rtv allows users to access personalized features, such as posting new comments, voting, saving posts, and more. This elevates rtv from a simple viewing tool to a comprehensive Reddit client that supports full account interactions.
Explanation:
Pressing the u key initiates the login process in rtv. You’ll be prompted to provide your Reddit username and password, ensuring secure access to your account.
Example Output: Upon successful login, rtv gives you access to additional features, confirming your session by displaying your username at the top of the terminal, enabling full participation in the Reddit community.
Use case 6: Display help
Code:
?
Motivation: Navigating new software with complex controls can be challenging. Accessing the help page provides users with a quick reference to all available commands and key bindings, making the learning curve less steep.
Explanation:
The ? key binds to the help function in rtv, providing a guide to the various features and controls. No additional arguments are needed for this function.
Example Output: A new screen will appear in the terminal, displaying a comprehensive list of commands, shortcuts, and explanations, helping users to better understand how to use rtv efficiently.
Conclusion:
These use cases for the Reddit Terminal Viewer (rtv) illustrate its versatility and effectiveness as a tool for interacting with Reddit. Whether exploring the front page, diving into specific subreddits, or engaging with comments, rtv offers a straightforward and resourceful alternative to traditional browsing methods. By integrating these commands, users can maintain productivity in a terminal-driven environment while staying connected to the discussions and content that matter most to them.
