dtach

minimal detachable terminal session manager

TLDR

Create new session

$ dtach -c [/tmp/session.sock] [command]

Attach to existing session

$ dtach -a [/tmp/session.sock]

Create session, don't attach

$ dtach -n [/tmp/session.sock] [command]

Attach, create if missing

$ dtach -A [/tmp/session.sock] [command]

Set custom detach key

$ dtach -c [/tmp/session.sock] -e '^a' [command]

Create session with no detach key

$ dtach -c [/tmp/session.sock] -E [command]

SYNOPSIS

dtach [options] socket [command [args]]

dtach provides detachable terminal sessions similar to screen or tmux, but focused solely on the detach/attach functionality. It creates a Unix socket for session communication.The minimalist approach makes dtach lighter than alternatives when only session detachment is needed, without window management or other features.

PARAMETERS

-c socket

Create new session and attach.

-n socket

Create new session without attaching.

-a socket

Attach to existing session.

-A socket

Attach or create if missing.

-r method

Redraw method (none, ctrl_l, winch).

-e char

Set detach character.

-E

Disable detach character.

-z

Disable suspend key handling.

INSTALL

sudo apt install dtach

sudo dnf install dtach

sudo apk add dtach

sudo zypper install dtach

brew install dtach

nix profile install nixpkgs#dtach

CAVEATS

No window management. No scrollback buffer. Socket files persist after session ends. Single client at a time by default. No built-in session listing.

HISTORY

dtach was created by Ned T. Crigler in 2001 as a minimal alternative to GNU Screen. It emerged from the desire for session detachment without screen's complexity. The tool is useful when combining with other terminal multiplexers or for simple session persistence.