---
name: "getty"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/getty"
---

# getty(8)

set terminal mode

## NAME

**getty** – set terminal mode

## SYNOPSIS

**getty**\[ *type* \[*tty*\]\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **getty** utility is called by [init(8)](/init/8.md) to open and initialize the tty line, read a login name, and invoke [login(1)](/login/1.md).

The argument *tty* is the special device file in */dev* to open for the terminal (for example, \`\`ttyh0''). If there is no argument or the argument is ‘**-**’, the tty line is assumed to be open as file descriptor 0.

The *type* argument can be used to make **getty** treat the terminal line specially. This argument is used as an index into the [gettytab(5)](/gettytab/5.md) database, to determine the characteristics of the line. If there is no argument, or there is no such table, the *default* table is used. If there is no */etc/gettytab* a set of system defaults is used. If indicated by the table located, **getty** will clear the terminal screen, print a banner heading, and prompt for a login name. Usually either the banner or the login prompt will include the system hostname.

Most of the default actions of **getty** can be circumvented, or modified, by a suitable *gettytab* table.

The **getty** utility can be set to timeout after some interval, which will cause dial up lines to hang up if the login name is not entered reasonably quickly.

## FILES

- */etc/gettytab*

  - */etc/ttys*

  ## DIAGNOSTICS

- ttyxx: No such device or address.

  - ttyxx: No such file or address.

  A terminal which is turned on in the *ttys* file cannot be opened, likely because the requisite lines are either not configured into the system, the associated device was not attached during boot-time system configuration, or the special file in */dev* does not exist.

## SEE ALSO

[login(1)](/login/1.md), [ioctl(2)](/ioctl/2.md), [tty(4)](/tty/4.md), [gettytab(5)](/gettytab/5.md), [ttys(5)](/ttys/5.md), [init(8)](/init/8.md), [pstat(8)](/pstat/8.md)

## HISTORY

A **getty** utility appeared in Version 3 AT&T UNIX.