Show Full Path of Commands in htop

Learn how to configure the htop interactive process viewer in Linux to display the complete file path of running commands instead of just the shortened program names. This quick guide covers the keyboard shortcut method and the step-by-step setup menu configuration to help you easily identify the exact location of running binaries.

The Quick Keyboard Shortcut

The fastest way to toggle between the short program name and the full command path is by using a built-in keyboard shortcut while the program is running.

• Press p on your keyboard.

Pressing this key instantly switches the “Command” column to show the absolute path of the executable. Pressing it again will revert the view back to the standard program name.

Configuring via Setup Menu

If you want to permanently change the view or customize how the command line arguments are displayed, you can navigate through the internal setup menu.

1. Launch htop in your terminal.
2. Press F2 (or S) to enter the Setup menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to navigate down to Display options in the left-hand column.
4. Move to the middle column and locate the option labeled Show program path.
5. Press Space to check the box next to it.
6. (Optional) You can also check Detailed command line to see all arguments passed to the process.
7. Press F10 (or Esc) to save your changes and return to the main process list.

Once saved, htop will remember this preference across future terminal sessions, ensuring you always see the full directory path for every active process.