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reset

terminalLinux/Unix

The reset command is one of the most frequently used commands in Linux/Unix-like operating systems. reset Reset the terminal

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Quick Reference

Command Name:

reset

Category:

terminal

Platform:

Linux/Unix

Basic Usage:

reset [options] [arguments]

Common Use Cases

Syntax

reset [options]

Options

Option	Description
`-e`	Use environment variables to determine terminal settings
`-I`	Use initialization strings for tty mode
`-k`	Use Termcap database for terminal capabilities
`-p`	Set preferred terminal modes
`-q`	Quiet mode, don't echo "reset" when terminal is reset
`-s`	Use system-wide Termcap file instead of user's file
`-V`	Print version information and exit
`--help`	Display help message and exit

Examples

How to Use These Examples

The examples below show common ways to use the reset command. Try them in your terminal to see the results. You can copy any example by clicking on the code block.

# Basic Examples Basic

reset

Reset the terminal to its default state.

# Advanced Examples Advanced

reset -q

Reset the terminal quietly without showing "reset" output.

reset -k Reset the terminal using Termcap database. reset -e Configure terminal settings based on environment variables. export TERM=xterm reset Set terminal type before resetting. tput cup 0 0 reset Move cursor to top-left corner and then reset terminal. reset && clear Reset the terminal and clear the screen. echo -e "\033[0m" || reset Try to reset using escape sequence, fall back to reset command if it fails. TERM=linux reset Force using the 'linux' terminal type for the reset operation. reset > /dev/null 2>&1 Reset the terminal silently, suppressing all output.

Try It Yourself

Practice makes perfect! The best way to learn is by trying these examples on your own system with real files.

Understanding Syntax

Pay attention to the syntax coloring: commands, options, and file paths are highlighted differently.

Notes

The `reset` command is a terminal utility used to reinitialize the terminal when it becomes garbled or is in an otherwise unusable state. It's particularly useful when binary data is accidentally displayed, causing the terminal to show strange characters, behave unpredictably, or become unresponsive to normal input. In most Unix-like systems, `reset` is actually a symbolic link to the `tset` command or is implemented as part of the `ncurses` package. It works by sending special control sequences to the terminal that restore it to a known, usable state. Key features and uses of the `reset` command include: 1. Terminal Recovery: The primary use is to recover from situations where the terminal display has been corrupted by non-printable characters or incorrect escape sequences. 2. Terminal Initialization: It initializes or reinitializes the terminal type and sets appropriate terminal modes. 3. Control Sequence Transmission: The command sends initialization strings and control sequences defined for the terminal type in the terminfo or termcap database. 4. Terminal Type Detection: In some implementations, it can automatically detect the terminal type when not explicitly specified. Common scenarios where you might need to use the `reset` command include: - After accidentally viewing binary files with `cat` (e.g., `cat /bin/ls`) - When terminal output becomes garbled after running certain programs - After encountering errors in terminal-based applications that leave the terminal in an unusual state - When terminal settings are modified incorrectly by applications - After SSH connections drop unexpectedly or terminate abnormally While `reset` is powerful for restoring terminal functionality, it's worth noting that it may not fix all terminal issues. For more persistent problems, you might need to: 1. Use the `stty sane` command to restore reasonable terminal settings 2. Close and reopen the terminal application 3. Adjust the TERM environment variable to match your terminal type 4. Use the `tput` command for more specific terminal control The `reset` command is available on virtually all Unix-like systems, including Linux, macOS, and BSD variants, making it a universal tool for terminal recovery across different platforms.

Related Commands

These commands are frequently used alongside reset or serve similar purposes:

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Use Cases

Learn By Doing

The best way to learn Linux commands is by practicing. Try out these examples in your terminal to build muscle memory and understand how the reset command works in different scenarios.

See Examples Try Lab Exercises

$ reset

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