tio - a simple serial terminal I/O tool

1. Introduction

tio is a simple serial terminal tool which features a straightforward command-line interface to easily connect to TTY devices for basic I/O operations.

1.1 Motivation

To make a simpler serial terminal tool for talking with TTY devices with less focus on classic terminal/modem features and more focus on the needs of embedded developers and hackers.

2. Usage

2.1 Command-line

The command-line interface is straightforward as reflected in the output from 'tio --help':

    Usage: tio [<options>] <tty-device|config>

    Options:
      -b, --baudrate <bps>             Baud rate (default: 115200)
      -d, --databits 5|6|7|8           Data bits (default: 8)
      -f, --flow hard|soft|none        Flow control (default: none)
      -s, --stopbits 1|2               Stop bits (default: 1)
      -p, --parity odd|even|none       Parity (default: none)
      -o, --output-delay <ms>          Character output delay (default: 0)
      -n, --no-autoconnect             Disable automatic connect
      -e, --local-echo                 Enable local echo
      -t, --timestamp                  Enable line timestamp
          --timestamp-format <format>  Set timestamp format (default: 24hour)
      -L, --list-devices               List available serial devices
      -l, --log                        Enable log to file
          --log-filename <filename>    Set log filename
      -m, --map <flags>                Map special characters
      -c, --color <0..255>             Colorize tio text
      -S, --socket <socket>            Listen on socket
      -v, --version                    Display version
      -h, --help                       Display help

    Options may be set via configuration file.

    In session, press ctrl-t q to quit.

    See the man page for more details.

The only option which requires a bit of elaboration is perhaps the --no-autoconnect option.

By default tio automatically connects to the provided device if present. If the device is not present, it will wait for it to appear and then connect. If the connection is lost (eg. device is unplugged), it will wait for the device to reappear and then reconnect. However, if the --no-autoconnect option is provided, tio will exit if the device is not present or an established connection is lost.

Tio supports various in session key commands. Press ctrl-t ? to list the available key commands.

Tio also features full bash autocompletion and configuration file support.

See the tio man page for more details.

2.2 Configuration file

Options can be set via a configuration file first found in the following locations in the order listed:

• $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/tio/tiorc
• $HOME/.config/tio/tiorc
• $HOME/.tiorc

The configuration file supports sub-configurations by named sections which can be activated via the command-line.

Example configuration file:

# Defaults
baudrate = 115200
databits = 8
parity = none
stopbits = 1
color = 46

[ftdi]
tty = /dev/serial/by-id/usb-FTDI_TTL232R-3V3_FTGQVXBL-if00-port0
baudrate = 9600
no-autoconnect = enable
color = 12

[usb devices]
pattern=usb([0-9]*)
tty = /dev/ttyUSB%s
log = enable
log-filename = usb.log
color = 13

To use a specific sub-configuration simply start tio like so:

$ tio ftdi

or

$ tio usb12

3. Installation

3.1 Installation using package manager

tio comes prepackaged for various GNU/Linux distributions. Please consult your package manager tool to find and install tio.

3.2 Installation using snap

Install latest stable version:

    $ snap install tio

Install bleeding edge:

    $ snap install tio --edge

3.3 Installation from source

The latest source releases can be found here.

Install steps:

    $ meson build
    $ meson compile -C build
    $ meson install -C build

See meson_options.txt for tio specific build options.

Note: Please do no try to install from source if you are not familiar with how to build stuff using meson.

4. Contributing

tio is open source. If you want to help out with the project please feel free to join in.

All contributions (bug reports, code, doc, ideas, etc.) are welcome.

Please use the github issue tracker and pull request features.

Also, if you find this free open source software useful please feel free to consider making a donation of your choice:

5. Support

Submit bug reports via GitHub: https://github.com/tio/tio/issues

6. Website

Visit tio.github.io

7. License

Tio is GPLv2+. See LICENSE file for more details.

8. Authors

Created by Martin Lund <martin.lund@keep-it-simple.com>

See the AUTHORS file for full list of contributors.