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

# manctl(8)

manipulating manual pages

## NAME

**manctl** – manipulating manual pages

## SYNOPSIS

**manctl** \[**-compress**\] \[**-uncompress**\] \[**-help**\] *path* *...*

## DESCRIPTION

The **manctl** utility compress or uncompress manual pages in directory path. If possible, .so's are replaced with hard links.

The following options are available:

- **-help**

  Print options and exit.

- **-compress**

  Compress uncompressed man pages (eliminating .so's).

- **-uncompress**

  Uncompress compressed man pages.

## SEE ALSO

[man(1)](/man/1.md)