---
name: "utox"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "utox"
version: "0.18.1-8"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/utox"
---

# utox(1)

Lightweight Tox client

## NAME

µTox - Lightweight Tox client

## SYNOPSIS

usage: utox \[--portable\] \[--theme \<THEME\>\] \[--set=\<start-on-boot\|show-window\|hide-window\>\] \[--allow-root\]\
    or: utox --version\
    or: utox --help

## DESCRIPTION

µTox is a free software lighweight X.org graphical Tox client.

µTox can be used for:\
  \* 1-to-1 text IM\
  \* group IM\
  \* audio calls\
  \* video calls\
  \* group audio calls\
  \* desktop sharing\
  \* file transfers

## OPTIONS

- **-t** *\<THEME\>* or **--theme** *\<THEME\>*

  Choose a color scheme. Possible options are *default*, *dark*, *light*, *highcontrast*, *zenburn*, *solarized-light*, or *solarized-dark*.

- **-p** or **--portable**

  Run in portable mode. All data will be saved to the tox folder in the current working directory, see FILES for more details.

- **--allow-root**

  Allow running µTox as root. Default is to refuse.

- **-s** *\<OPTION\>* or **--set** *\<OPTION\>*

  Set an option. The available options are "start-on-boot", "show-window" and "hide-window".

- **-u** *\<OPTION\>* or **--unset** *\<OPTION\>*

  Unset an option. The available option is "start-on-boot".

- **-v** or **--verbose**

  Increase debug output level. Multiple -v options increase the verbosity. The maximum is 6.

- **--silent**

  Set the verbosity level to 0, disable all debugging output.

- **--debug** *\<FILE\>*

  Write all debug output to the specified file.

- **-h** or **--help**

  Print a short description of available options.

- **--version**

  Print the version and exit.

## KEYBINDINGS

- **Ctrl+F**

  Toggle friend list online status filter.

- **Ctrl+f**

  Focus on friend list search input field.

- **Ctrl+\[num\], Alt+\[num\]**

  Switch to chat \[num\].

- **Ctrl+Pg{Up,Down}**

  Move up or down in the friend list.

- **Ctrl+Pg{Home,End}**

  Move to first or last friend in the friend list.

- **Esc**

  Unfocus message input field. When unfocused, pressing any key will focus on it again.

- **Pg{Up,Down}**

  Scroll chat log up or down.  This keybinding will only work when the message input field is unfocused.

- **Home, End**

  Scroll to top or bottom of chat log.  This keybinding will only work when the message input field is unfocused.

## CHAT COMMANDS

These commands can be used in the chat window.

- **/alias** \<alias\>

  Sets selected friend's alias to \<alias\>. It will be displayed instead of that friend's name.

- **/invite** \<name\>

  Invites \<name\> to the current groupchat.

- **/sendfile** \<path\>

  Sends a file located in \<path\> to the current friend.

- **/topic** \<topic\>

  Changes current groupchat's name/topic to \<topic\>. This command can also be used to edit the current topic by typing /topic and pressing the tab key.

- **/me** \<action\>

  Sends an message/action in the format \<name\> \<action\>, for example: Tox User says hi

## FILES

All files listed below are located in **$HOME/.config/tox**. If µTox is running in portable mode, their location will be **./tox**.

- **tox\_save.tox**

  **tox\_save.tox** is the file that contains the public/private key pair, name, status and contacts. It's compatible with other Tox clients.

- **utox\_save**

  **utox\_save** is µTox' binary config file, it contains settings such as language, proxy options, DPI or logging.

- **avatars**

  The **avatars** directory contains other contacts' avatars. Files are named after contacts' public keys (the first 64 characters of the ID).

- **Tox\_Auto\_Accept**

  Default directory for auto-accepted files in portable mode.

- **\[public key\].txt**

  Those are friends' chat logs. µTox supports only 1v1 chat logging for now.

- **\[public key\].fmetadata**

  Friend metadata file, currently used for storing aliases.

- **\[public key\]\[file number\].ftoutfo**

  Current outgoing file transfers' state. Used for resuming transfers across client restarts.

## CONTRIBUTORS

Please see the list page: *https://github.com/uTox/uTox/graphs/contributors*

## BUGS

Please report bugs on *https://github.com/uTox/uTox/issues*

The source code for **µTox** can be found at *https://github.com/uTox/uTox*