How to Customize Column Headers in htop?

The htop utility is a powerful, interactive process viewer for Linux that allows users to monitor system resources in real time. While the default configuration provides a comprehensive overview of running processes, customizing the display columns can significantly improve your monitoring efficiency. This article provides a straightforward, step-by-step guide on how to access the setup menu, navigate to the available screen columns, and enable or reorder custom column headers to tailor the interface to your specific troubleshooting needs.

Accessing the Setup Menu

To begin customizing your display, you first need to open the configuration interface within the tool.

1. Launch the utility by typing htop in your terminal.
2. Press the F6 key or the S key to open the Setup menu.
3. Alternatively, you can use your mouse to click on the Setup option located in the function bar at the very bottom of the screen.

Navigating to the Columns Configuration

Once you are inside the Setup menu, the interface splits into multiple columns to categorize your configuration options.

• Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Columns option under the Setup category (usually the leftmost column).
• Press the Right Arrow key or Enter to move your cursor into the Available Columns and Active Columns sections.

Adding and Ordering Custom Column Headers

The configuration screen allows you to choose exactly which metrics you want to see. The Active Columns list shows what is currently visible on your screen, while the Available Columns list shows all the metrics you can add.

• To add a column: Scroll through the Available Columns list, highlight the metric you want to display (such as PERCENT_CPU, STARTTIME, or COMM), and press F5 or Enter to add it to your Active Columns.
• To remove a column: Highlight an item in the Active Columns list and press F9 or D to delete it from your current view.
• To reorder columns: Highlight a metric in the Active Columns list, then press F7 (Move Up) or F8 (Move Down) to shift its position. The order from top to bottom in this list corresponds to the layout from left to right on your main monitoring screen.

Saving Your Custom Configuration

After arranging your custom column headers to your preference, you must save the changes so they persist across future terminal sessions.

• Press the F10 key or Enter on the Done option to save your layout and return to the main process viewer screen.
• Your new custom column headers will immediately appear at the top of the process list, displaying the real-time data you selected.