---
name: "querybts"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "reportbug"
version: "13.2.0"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/querybts"
---

# querybts(1)

view outstanding bug reports on a debbugs server

## NAME

querybts - view outstanding bug reports on a debbugs server

## SYNOPSIS

**querybts** *\[options\] \<package \| number \[number2\]...\>*

## DESCRIPTION

**querybts** is designed to provide a convenient and easy-to-use interface to the Debbugs bug tracking system, as used by Debian and several other projects.  You can specify a package name or one or more report numbers.

## OPTIONS

The program follows the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (\`**--**').  A summary of options are included below.

- **-h, --help**

  Show summary of options.

- **--version**

  Show the version of **querybts** and exit.

- **-A, --archive**

  Browse archived bugs instead of current reports.  Debbugs servers clear out closed reports after 28 days and place them in a separate archive; this option allows those older, resolved reports to be viewed (at least for servers that maintain an archive).

- **-B SYSTEM, --bts=SYSTEM**

  Instead of the Debian bug server, use the server specified by **SYSTEM**.  Valid options are **default** and **debian** but check **--help** for an updated list.

- **-b, --buglist**

  Display a bugs list for the given package.

- **--latest-first**

  Display the bug reports list sorted and with the latest reports at the top.

- **--mbox-reader-cmd=MBOX\_READER\_CMD**

  Specify a command to open the bug reports mbox file. You can use **%s** to substitute the mbox file to be used, and **%%** to insert a literal percent sign. If no **%s** is specified, the mbox file name is supplied at the end of the argument list.

- **-m, --mbox**

  Retrieve the given bug number(s) or package name(s) as a mailbox file, instead of viewing it. It will be dumped to standard output.

- **--proxy=PROXY, --http\_proxy=PROXY**

  Specify the WWW proxy server to use to handle the queries to the bug tracking system.  You should only need this parameter if you are behind a firewall.

- **-s, --source**

  Query on source packages, rather than binary packages.

- **--timeout=SECONDS**

  Specify the network timeout, the number of seconds to wait for a resource to respond. If nothing is specified, a default timeout of 1 minute is selected.

  In case of a network error, there are chances it's due to a too low timeout: try passing the --timeout option with a higher value than default.

- **-u INTERFACE, --ui=INTERFACE, --interface=INTERFACE**

  Specify the user interface to use.  Valid options are **text**, **urwid**, **gtk**; default is taken from the reportbug configuration files.

- **-w, --web**

  Launch a web browser to view bug reports, instead of using the internal interface.  This will also allow you to see the whole discussion about a particular bug at once, instead of one message at a time as **querybts** would do.  (Only the first bug number on the command line will be opened.)

## CONFIGURATION FILES

**querybts** supports a simple run control file syntax.  Commands are read from **/etc/reportbug.conf** and **$HOME/.reportbugrc** with commands in the latter overriding those in the former.

Commands are not case sensitive, and currently take 0 or 1 argument; arguments containing whitespace must be enclosed in quotes.

Any line starting with # is taken to be a comment and will be ignored.

Generally, options corresponding to the long options for **querybts** are supported, without leading **--** sequences. See the default **/etc/reportbug.conf** for all acceptable options and **[reportbug.conf(5)](/reportbug.conf/5.md)** for all acceptable options and detailed information.

Options only supported by **reportbug** will be silently ignored.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **http\_proxy**

  Provides the address of a proxy server to handle the BTS query.  This should be a valid **http** URL for a proxy server, including any required port number (simply specifying a hostname, or omitting a port other than 80, WILL NOT WORK).

## SEE ALSO

[reportbug(1)](/reportbug/1.md), [reportbug.conf(5)](/reportbug.conf/5.md), [bts(1)](/bts/1.md)

## AUTHOR

Chris Lawrence \<lawrencc@debian.org\>, Sandro Tosi \<morph@debian.org\>.