rTorrent for Linux

rTorrent is an open-source and free BitTorrent client application designed to run entirely in the Linux console or any X11 terminal emulator software. Developed by Jari Sundell, this efficient client is based on the libTorrent library and utilizes the Ncurses project for its CLI user interface.

Key Features:

• Ability to add torrent files using URLs or file paths at runtime


• Emacs-style find-file support for opening torrent files


• Control functions including stop, resume, and delete for torrents


• Support for fast resume and detailed peer and torrent information

Technical Specifications:

• Written in C++ and C programming languages


• Uses libTorrent and Ncurses libraries


• Supports GNU/Linux OS like Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, and more


• Compatible with various BSD flavors and Mac OS X

To utilize rTorrent, users need to provide the URL of the torrent file or the local path where the file is stored. This application operates solely through keyboard input, offering efficiency and control. Detailed keyboard shortcuts can be found in the dedicated manpage or the project's homepage.

Users can download rTorrent as a universal source archive, enabling configuration, compilation, and installation on any Linux distribution. However, the recommended method is to install the program from default software repositories.

For those who prefer a minimalistic approach on their Linux systems without complex graphical interfaces, rTorrent is the ideal BitTorrent client choice. It caters to users who prioritize functionality and performance over flashy features.