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gtop is an interactive system-monitoring dashboard that runs in a terminal. It displays system activity and lets you sort the process list by process ID, CPU use, or memory use. It is a Node.js-based option for command-line users who want a visual overview without switching to a separate graphical monitor.
What gtop does
The project describes gtop as a “System monitoring dashboard for terminal.” Its interactive dashboard includes a process table with sorting controls: press p to sort by process ID, c by CPU use, or m by memory use. Press q to exit. These are the controls documented by the gtop project.
That makes gtop useful when you want to inspect activity from a terminal, but the documented feature set should not be mistaken for a guarantee that it covers every metric or workflow you might expect from a modern system monitor.
Requirements and platform support
The project README documents Linux and macOS (called “OSX” in the README), plus partial support for Windows. It specifies Node.js version 8 or later. These are the project’s stated requirements and compatibility claims, not independent confirmation that every combination of operating system and Node.js version works today. Check the current project information and test it in your target environment before relying on it.
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Install and run gtop with npm
With npm available, the documented global installation and launch commands are:
npm install gtop -g
gtopThe first command installs the package globally; the second starts the dashboard. Because this installs a command-line package into your Node.js environment, use the package manager and permissions appropriate to your system.
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Run it in Docker
The project also documents a Docker image. Its instructions require host network and PID access so the container can read host metrics. Those permissions give the container visibility beyond its own isolated process and network view, so consider the access implications before using that setup. Refer to the project README for the documented Docker command and details.
Fix incorrectly rendered terminal characters
If gtop displays question marks or other incorrect characters, the README suggests setting the terminal locale and type before launch:
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LANG=en_US.utf8 TERM=xterm-256color gtopThis changes the environment variables for that invocation. If the issue remains, check that the terminal supports the configured character encoding and terminal type.
Check project freshness before adopting it
The npm listing identifies version 1.1.5 and reports that it was published three years before the listing was crawled. That is a relative age from the listing snapshot, not a current release date or proof of the package’s present maintenance status. The available repository and package information does not establish a verifiable latest-commit date. Check the npm package listing and the repository’s current release and activity history before adopting gtop, especially for a production or managed environment.
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Also test the install and dashboard on the operating system and Node.js version you intend to use. The documented minimum of Node.js 8 is a project claim; it does not by itself show that the package works with a current Node.js release.
Alternatives and how to compare them
Related terminal monitors offer different project histories and positioning, but the available descriptions do not establish independent performance rankings. Compare them against your requirements rather than assuming one is faster or more capable.
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| Project | What its project page says | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| cjbassi/gotop | Go-based graphical terminal activity monitor inspired by gtop and vtop; the repository says it was archived on August 29, 2020 and is no longer maintained. | Because the original repository is archived, check whether its status and available releases suit your needs. |
| xxxserxxx/gotop | A continuation of gotop that describes broader monitoring options and platform support. | Check the fork’s current releases and platform documentation for the systems you use. |
| bottom | A customizable, cross-platform terminal process and system monitor that names gtop, gotop, and htop as inspirations. | Review its current documentation to confirm that its features, installation method, and platform support fit your setup. |
For any candidate, assess current maintenance activity and issue response, documented and tested platform support, runtime and installation model, and whether its metrics and controls meet your needs. The cited project descriptions establish positioning and selected status claims, not a controlled feature or performance comparison.
Quick Recap
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