LINUX COMMAND ATLAS · COMMAND GUIDE

Linux top command

View a live, interactive summary of processes and resource use.

procps-ng

Syntax

Command form

top [OPTION]...

6 options

Option	What it does
`-b, --batch`	Run in batch mode for scripts or redirection.
`-n N, --iterations=N`	Set the number of updates before exit.
`-d SECONDS, --delay=SECONDS`	Set the refresh delay.
`-p PIDLIST`	Monitor selected process IDs.
`-u USER`	Show processes owned by USER.
`-H`	Show individual threads.

2 examples

View a live, interactive summary of processes and resource use.

top

Capture one batch update and show its first lines.

top -b -n 1 | head -n 20

Interactive keys vary by implementation; press q to quit. Process and system metrics are snapshots, not guarantees about future load.