How to Launch htop in Monochrome Mode

The htop command-line utility is a powerful, interactive process manager for Linux, but its default multi-color interface can sometimes be difficult to read on certain terminal backgrounds or accessible displays. This article explains how to launch htop in a clean, black-and-white monochrome mode using a simple command-line flag, and covers how to make this setting permanent.

The Monochrome Flag for htop

To start htop without any color themes, use the -C (or --no-color) flag. Opening your terminal and executing this command forces the utility into a high-contrast, monochrome interface.

htop -C

Alternatively, you can use the equivalent long-form flag:

htop --no-color

This is particularly useful when you are working over a slow SSH connection where rendering color codes might introduce slight latency, or if you are using a terminal emulator with a color scheme that clashes with htop’s default green, red, and blue bars.

Making Monochrome Mode Permanent

If you prefer the monochrome look and do not want to type the flag every time, you can save this preference directly within the utility’s interactive setup menu:

  1. Launch htop normally by typing htop.
  2. Press F2 (or S) to enter the Setup menu.
  3. Use the arrow keys to navigate to Display options.
  4. Move to the Colors column and select Monochrome.
  5. Press F10 (or Enter) to save and exit.

Your preference will be written to the htop configuration file (typically located at ~/.config/htop/htoprc), ensuring it launches in monochrome mode by default in the future without requiring the command-line flag.