How to use the command rtv (with examples)

Reddit Terminal Viewer (rtv) is a command-line tool that allows you to browse Reddit right from your terminal. It provides a text-based interface for navigating through the front page and different subreddits, expanding and collapsing comments, opening links, and more.

Use case 1: Open the front page

Code:

rtv /front

Motivation: Opening the front page of Reddit allows you to see the latest popular posts across various subreddits without needing to visit each one individually. It provides a convenient way to stay updated and discover new content.

Explanation: The /front argument is used to open the front page of Reddit in rtv. After executing this command, rtv will display the top posts from the front page.

Example output:

Title: Learning Python
Author: u/johndoe
Score: 1000

Title: Technology News
Author: u/janetdoe
Score: 750

...

Use case 2: Open a subreddit

Code:

rtv /r/subreddit_name

Motivation: If you have a specific subreddit you enjoy, using rtv to open that subreddit allows you to browse all the latest posts, comment threads, and discussions without leaving your terminal. This can be particularly useful if you want to minimize distractions or if you prefer a command-line environment.

Explanation: The /r/subreddit_name argument is used to open a specific subreddit in rtv. Replace subreddit_name with the actual name of the subreddit you want to view. After executing this command, rtv will display the top posts from that subreddit.

Example output:

Title: Productivity Tips
Author: u/johndoe
Score: 100

Title: Book Recommendations
Author: u/janetdoe
Score: 75

...

Use case 3: Expand/collapse comments

Code:

[space]

Motivation: Sometimes, Reddit comment threads can be lengthy and difficult to navigate. Being able to expand or collapse comments can help you focus on the parts of the discussion that interest you the most, improving your browsing experience and saving you time.

Explanation: By pressing the [space] key while using rtv, you can expand or collapse comments. This allows you to hide or reveal comment replies, making it easier to navigate through large comment threads.

Example output:

Title: Best Movies of the Year
Author: u/johndoe
Score: 100

Top Comment: 
- Wow, I totally agree! This movie was amazing.
  - [space] (collapse)
  - [space] (expand)
     - I loved the performances!
     - The ending was so unexpected.
        - [space] (collapse)
        - [space] (expand)
             - I have to watch it again. Too good!
             - ...
  - [space] (collapse)
...

Use case 4: Open link

Code:

o

Motivation: When browsing Reddit, often there are interesting links shared within posts and comments. Being able to open these links directly from rtv can save you time by allowing you to access the content without switching to a web browser.

Explanation: The o key is used to open a link in rtv. When you press o while viewing a post or comment that contains a link, rtv will open the link in your default web browser.

Example output:

Title: Awesome Tutorial
Author: u/johndoe
Score: 100

Content: 
This tutorial explains how to use rtv:
<https://example.com/rtv-tutorial>

Use case 5: Log in

Code:

u

Motivation: If you have a Reddit account, logging in through rtv allows you to access your personalized feed, upvote or downvote posts and comments, and engage with the community even when you’re working in a terminal environment.

Explanation: Pressing the u key in rtv triggers the login prompt. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter your Reddit credentials and log in to your account.

Example output:

Username: your_username
Password: your_password

Successfully logged in as u/your_username.

Use case 6: Open the help screen

Code:

?

Motivation: When using a new tool or command, it’s always helpful to have access to the available commands and their functionalities. The help screen provides a quick reference for the different commands supported by rtv, allowing you to use the tool more effectively.

Explanation: Pressing ? in rtv displays the help screen, which lists the available commands, their corresponding keys, and a brief description of their functionalities.

Example output:

Commands:
-----------------------
[space] - Expand/collapse comments
o - Open link
u - Log in
? - Help screen
q - Quit

...

Conclusion:

The rtv command provides a convenient way to browse Reddit in a terminal environment. With its various features, such as opening the front page, navigating subreddits, expanding and collapsing comments, opening links, logging in, and accessing the help screen, rtv offers a command-line alternative to the traditional web-based Reddit experience. Whether you prefer a terminal-based workflow, need to minimize distractions, or simply like the convenience of a text-based interface, rtv is a powerful tool for interacting with Reddit from the command line.