How to Save htop Output to Text File in Ubuntu

This guide explains how to export process monitoring data similar to htop into a text file on Ubuntu. Since htop is an interactive terminal user interface, standard redirection commands do not produce readable text. You will learn the most effective command-line alternatives and recording methods to capture this system information accurately.

Why Direct Redirection Fails

You cannot simply run htop > file.txt because htop uses ncurses to draw dynamic interfaces. This method saves ANSI escape codes instead of plain text, resulting in an unreadable file. To get usable data, you must use commands designed for static output or record the terminal session.

Method 1: Using the ps Command

The most reliable way to save process data to a text file is using the ps command with sorting options. This provides a static snapshot similar to the htop view without interface codes. Run the following command in the terminal:

ps aux --sort=-%cpu | head -n 11 > htop_data.txt

This command lists all processes, sorts them by CPU usage, takes the top 11 lines including the header, and saves them to htop_data.txt. You can change -%cpu to -%mem to sort by memory usage instead.

Method 2: Using the script Command

If you need to record the visual session exactly as it appears in the terminal, use the script utility. This records everything displayed on the screen, including control characters, but preserves the session flow. Start the recording with:

script -c "htop" htop_session.txt

Press Ctrl + D or type exit to stop the recording. Note that the resulting file may contain terminal control codes and is best viewed with cat or a text editor that handles escape sequences.

Method 3: Manual Copy and Paste

For a quick one-time capture without commands, you can manually copy the visible text from the terminal buffer. Open htop, select the text you wish to save with your mouse, and press Ctrl + Shift + C. Open a text editor, paste the content with Ctrl + V, and save the file. This method captures only what is currently visible on the screen.