How to Install and Use Bpytop: A Fast, Visual Terminal Resource Monitor

For terminal enthusiasts, monitoring system resource usage is essential, and while tools like top and htop show basic metrics, Bpytop offers a fast, visually appealing terminal‑based resource monitor.

Preparation

Before installing Bpytop, ensure the system meets the following requirements:

Python 3

Psutil module (install with python3 -m pip install psutil)

Install Bpytop

Bpytop can be installed either by compiling from source or via the package manager of your distribution.

Source Installation

Clone the repository from GitHub:

[root@localhost ~]# git clone https://github.com/aristocratos/bpytop.git
Cloning into 'bpytop'...
... (output truncated for brevity) ...

Enter the directory and compile/install:

[root@localhost ~]# python3 -m pip install psutil
[root@localhost ~]# cd bpytop/
[root@localhost bpytop]# make install

The psutil module must be installed; otherwise Bpytop will not start.

Psutil can also be installed from distribution repositories:

# CentOS 8
# yum -y install python3-psutil
# Ubuntu 18.04
sudo apt -y install python3-psutil

Installation completed.

Installation via Package Managers

Ubuntu (using snap):

bob@ubuntu-18-04:~$ sudo snap install bpytop
bpytop 1.0.22 from James Tigert (kz6fittycent) installed

CentOS 8 (using dnf/yum): # dnf -y install bpytop FreeBSD (using pkg):

$ sudo pkg install bpytop

Run Bpytop

Start Bpytop by typing bpytop in the terminal:

$ bpytop

Press ESC then select OPTIONS to change themes and other settings using the arrow keys.

Press h or ESC then HELP to view the help page.

Exit Bpytop with q or Ctrl + c.

Summary

The configuration file is located at $HOME/.config/bpytop and can be edited to customize themes and other options.