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lynx — text web browser - usage, config and tips

Lynx has two configuration files, different configuration options can be configured in each file: ~/.lynxrc and /etc/lynx.cfg.

The file is saved to $HOME/.lynxrc, there is no argument to change this. To change the location of this file HOME=ALT_HOME_FOR_LYNX lynx .

This is the default location, this file can be changed lynx -cfg=PATH_TO_LYNXCFG .

STARTFILE:HOME_URL
DEFAULT_INDEX_FILE:HOME_URL|INDEX_FILE
When using a local file, use file://localhost/PATH. STARTFILE and DEFAULT_INDEX_FILE could be used with a bookmark file or jumpfile.

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-session=FILE | read/save session from/to FILE.
-sessionin=FILE | read session from FILE.
-sessionout=FILE | save session to FILE.
Sessions can be saved by setting "Auto Session" to ON and setting a "Session file". The session can be loaded with lynx -session=FILENAME. The session will save visited links.

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lynx does not have option for profiles, but different lynx.cfg, $HOME/~.lynxrc and/or session files could be used to emulate profiles.

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Options can be changed on lynx through the options menu (o) or by editing ~/.lynxrc.

To save the changes on the options menu, toggle "Save options to disk" and then "Accept changes".

colors | never, off, on (default), always.
User mode | Novice (default), intermediate advanced, minimal.
Multi-bookmarks | off (default), standard, advanced.

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H | help
g | go to link.
G | edit current link.
E | edit current selected link.
d | download selected file.

Lynx does not have tabs, however, the visited links are stored in the session, any link can be revisited by going to the visited links (V).

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bookmarks can be a single bookmark file or multiple bookmark files can be defined by setting Multi-bookmarks in the options menu or sub_bookmarks in ~/.lynxrc.

To use multiple bookmark files, the files need to be defined through the options menu > Review/edit bookmarks files or by setting them in ~/.lynxrc.

multi_bookmarkB=b.html

v | view bookmarks files (files can be selected by selecting the corresponding letter to see all bookmarks).
a | add bookmarks (when using multi-bookmarks, the bookmarks menu will be displayed to select the bookmark file).

Multi-bookmarks use letters a-z to set the bookmarks files.

  1. a: to add a bookmark.
  2. d,l,c: document (current document), link (selected link), cancel.
  3. If multi-bookmarks is set, the bookmarks menu will be displayed.
    1. Select the letter corresponding to the desired bookmarks file.
    2. Set the title for the bookmark.
  4. If multi-bookmarks is off, only the title needs to be set.

  1. v: will display the bookmarks or bookmarks files if multi-bookmarks is set.
  2. If multi-bookmarks is set, select the letter corresponding to the chosen bookmarks file to see the bookmarks.

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Lynx also has jumpfiles available, they work similar to bookmarks but the items can also have parameters by adding %s to the url. Lynx will prompt the user to enter a parameter per %s in the url. Eg.: https://man.openbsd.org/%s. Jumps can also point to programs or executable scripts. See lynx samples directory for jump examples.

Jumpfiles are defined in lynx.cfg: JUMPFILE:PATH[:key][:prompt] key is necessary only is multiple jumpfiles are specified, key will replace the current bind for the specified key, prompt will set the prompt displayed to the user.

The first item should be: <dt>?<dd><a href="PATH_TO_JUMPFILE">the list in this jumpfile</a> to show the jumps in the file.

  1. j (or key defined for jumpfile)
  2. Jump shortcut.
  3. Enter parameter if required for the jump.

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Lynx can also be used for directory editing by using lynx on a directory. lynx PATH_TO_DIR

c | create a (f)ile or (d)irectory.
r | remove a file or directory.
e | edit file. (Requires an editor to be set in ~/.lynxrc)

  1. c: to create a directory.
  2. f or d to create file or directory.

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- Add better examples.

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- ArchLinux manpages: lynx(1)

- Thomas E. Dickey - Lynx developer (may be blocked in some countries)
- Mirror of Thomas E. Dickey - Lynx developer (Accessible if the main site is blocked)

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linux , OpenBSD | Created:2025-11-21|Updated:2025-11-22