tio - a simple serial device I/O tool

1. Introduction

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

1.1 Motivation

To make a simpler serial device 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.

tio was originally created to replace screen for connecting to serial devices when used in combination with tmux.

2. Features

Easily connect to serial TTY devices
Automatic re-connect
Support for arbitrary baud rates
List available serial devices
Show RX/TX statistics
Toggle serial lines
Local echo support
Remap special characters (nl, cr-nl, bs, etc.)
Line timestamps
Support for delayed output
Hexadecimal mode
Log to file
Configuration file support
Select subconfigurations by name or pattern
Redirect I/O to socket for scripting or TTY sharing
Pipe input and/or output
Bash completion
Color support
Man page documentation

3. Usage

3.1 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 logging to file
          --log-file <filename>        Set log filename
          --log-strip                  Strip control characters and escape sequences
      -m, --map <flags>                Map special characters
      -c, --color 0..255|none|list     Colorize tio text (default: 15)
      -S, --socket <socket>            Redirect I/O to socket
      -x, --hex                        Enable hexadecimal mode
      -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.

By default tio automatically connects to the provided TTY 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 features full bash autocompletion.

3.2 Key commands

Various in session key commands are supported. When tio is started, press ctrl-t ? to list the available key commands.

[20:19:12.040] Key commands:
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t ?   List available key commands
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t b   Send break
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t c   Show configuration
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t d   Toggle DTR line
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t e   Toggle local echo mode
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t h   Toggle hexadecimal mode
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t l   Clear screen
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t L   Show line states
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t q   Quit
[20:19:12.040]  ctrl-t r   Toggle RTS line
[20:19:12.041]  ctrl-t s   Show statistics
[20:19:12.041]  ctrl-t t   Send ctrl-t key code
[20:19:12.041]  ctrl-t T   Toggle line timestamp mode
[20:19:12.041]  ctrl-t v   Show version

3.3 Configuration file

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

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

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

Example configuration file:

# Defaults
baudrate = 115200
databits = 8
parity = none
stopbits = 1
color = 10

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

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

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

$ tio ftdi

Or by pattern match:

$ tio usb12

4. Installation

4.1 Installation using package manager

Packages for various GNU/Linux distributions are available. Please consult your package manager tool to find and install tio.

4.2 Installation using snap

Install latest stable version:

    $ snap install tio

Install bleeding edge:

    $ snap install tio --edge

4.3 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.

5. 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:

6. Support

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

7. Website

Visit tio.github.io

8. License

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

9. Authors

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

See the AUTHORS file for full list of contributors.

0x5c/tio