How to Launch htop from Ubuntu Terminal

This guide explains how to launch the htop process viewer on Ubuntu. You will learn the necessary terminal commands to install the tool if it is missing and how to start it immediately to monitor system resources effectively.

Check Installation

Before running the tool, verify if it is already available on your system. Type the following command:

htop --version

If the terminal returns a version number, you can skip the installation step. If it says command not found, proceed to install it.

Install htop

Use the apt package manager to install the software. Run these commands in your terminal:

sudo apt update
    sudo apt install htop

Enter your password when prompted to allow the system to make changes.

Launch the Application

Start the process monitor by typing the command below and pressing Enter:

htop

You will see an interactive interface showing CPU cores, memory usage, and a list of active processes.

Exit htop

To close the application and return to the command line, simply press the q key. This quits the program immediately.