---
name: "cmatrix"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "cmatrix"
version: "2.0-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/cmatrix"
---

# cmatrix(1)

## NAME

CMatrix

## SYNOPSIS

**cmatrix** \[-abBflohnsmVx\] \[-u update\] \[-C color\]

## DESCRIPTION

Shows a scrolling 'Matrix' like screen in Linux

### OPTIONS

- *-a*

  Asynchronous scroll

- *-b*

  Bold characters on

- *-B*

  All bold characters (overrides -b)

- *-f*

  Force the linux $TERM type to be on

- *-l*

  Linux mode (sets "matrix.fnt" font in console)

- *-o*

  Use old-style scrolling

- *-h, -?*

  Print usage and exit

- *-n*

  No bold characters (overrides -b and -B)

- *-s*

  "Screensaver" mode, exits on first keystroke

- *-m*

  "Lambda" mode, every character becomes a lambda

- *-x*

  X window mode, use if your xterm is using mtx.pcf

- *-V*

  Print version information and exit

- *-u delay*

  Screen update delay 0 - 9, default 4

- *-C color*

  Use this color for matrix (default green).  Valid colors are green, red, blue, white, yellow, cyan, magenta and black.

### KEYSTROKES

The following keystrokes are available during execution (unavailable in -s mode)

- *a*

  Toggle asynchronous scroll

- *b*

  Random bold characters

- *B*

  All bold characters

- *n*

  Turn off bold characters

- *0-9*

  Adjust update speed

- *! @ # $ % ^ & )*

  Change the color of the matrix to the corresponding color: ! - red, @ - green, # - yellow, $ - blue, % - magenta, ^ - cyan, & - white, ) - black.

- *q*

  Quit the program

## BUGS

This program is very CPU intensive.  Don't be surprised if it eats up over 40% of your CPU at times.

## HOMEPAGE

http://www.github.com/abishekvashok/cmatrix