How to Add Meters to the htop Header in Linux?

The htop interactive process viewer is highly customizable, allowing users to modify the system resource meters displayed at the top of the interface. This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step walkthrough on how to enter the htop setup menu and add useful new meters, such as a hostname, clock, or battery status, to your top header columns.

Step 1: Open the Setup Menu

Launch htop in your terminal by typing htop. Once the interface loads, press the F2 key (or Shift + S on some terminal configurations) to open the Setup menu. This will split your screen into distinct configuration columns: Setup, Left column, Right column, and Available meters.

Step 2: Navigate to the Meters Configuration

Using your arrow keys, highlight Meters in the leftmost “Setup” column. Press the right arrow key to move into the “Left column” or “Right column” sections. This is where you choose which side of the top header you want your new meter to appear.

Step 3: Select and Add Your New Meter

Press the right arrow key again to move into the Available meters column. Scroll down this list using the up and down arrow keys until you find the specific meter you want to add, such as:

Once your desired meter is highlighted, press Enter. The meter will immediately appear in the active header column you selected in the previous step.

Step 4: Adjust the Display Style (Optional)

If you want to change how the new meter looks, highlight it within the “Left column” or “Right column” list. Press the Spacebar to cycle through the available display modes, which include:

Step 5: Save and Exit

Once you are satisfied with the positioning and style of your new header layout, press the F10 key to save your changes and return to the main htop dashboard. Your new clock, battery, or custom status meter will now actively display at the top of the screen.