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Merge pull request #407 from Jay-1409/main
Added the nmtui command
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‎README.md‎

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- [159-the-lspci-command.md](ebook/en/content/159-the-lspci-command.md)
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- [160-the-cfdisk-command.md](ebook/en/content/160-the-cfdisk-command.md)
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- [161-the-column-command.md](ebook/en/content/162-the-column-command.md)
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- [162-the-nmtui-command.md](ebook/en/content/161-the-nmtui-command.md)
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# 🔗Links
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‎ebook/en/content/162-the-nmtui-command.md‎

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# The `nmtui` Command
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The **`nmtui`** (Network Manager Text User Interface) command is a **menu-driven tool** for configuring network connections in Linux.
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It provides a simple, text-based interface to manage network settings such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, hostname, and more — without using complex command-line options.
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---
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### 🔹 What it Does
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`nmtui` allows you to:
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- View and edit **network connections**
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- **Activate or deactivate** interfaces
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- **Set or change** the system **hostname**
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- Connect to **Wi-Fi networks**
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- Manage **IPv4 / IPv6 settings**
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It is especially useful on servers or systems **without a graphical desktop environment**.
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---
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### 🧠 Syntax
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nmtui [OPTION]
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---
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### 🖥️ Examples
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1. **Open the main menu interface:**
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nmtui
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Opens the main TUI (text user interface) window with options to *Edit a connection*, *Activate a connection*, or *Set system hostname*.
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2. **Directly edit a network connection:**
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nmtui edit
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Lets you create, modify, or delete network connections (both Ethernet and Wi-Fi).
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3. **Directly activate or deactivate connections:**
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nmtui connect
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Opens the *Activate a connection* menu where you can enable or disable network interfaces.
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4. **Set or change the system hostname:**
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nmtui hostname
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Opens a dialog box to set your system’s hostname (used for identification on a network).
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5. **Connect directly to a specific Wi-Fi network:**
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nmtui connect "MyWiFiNetwork"
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Connects to the specified Wi-Fi network if it exists in range.
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6. **Quit the interface:**
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Simply use **Tab → Quit** or press **Esc**.
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---
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### 🧩 Common Options and Subcommands
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| **Command** | **Description** |
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|:-------------|:----------------|
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| `nmtui` | Launches the interactive main menu |
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| `nmtui edit` | Opens the “Edit a connection” screen |
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| `nmtui connect` | Opens the “Activate a connection” screen |
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| `nmtui hostname` | Opens the “Set system hostname” dialog |
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| `nmtui connect <SSID>` | Connects to a specific Wi-Fi network directly |
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| `nmtui help` | Displays basic usage help |
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---
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### ⚙️ Interface Navigation
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- Use the **arrow keys** or **Tab** to move between fields.
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- Press **Enter** to select.
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- Use **Spacebar** to toggle checkboxes or options.
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- Press **Esc** or select **Quit** to exit safely.
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---
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### 📡 Common Use Cases
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**1. Configure a static IP address:**
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nmtui edit
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→ Choose your Ethernet connection
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→ Set “IPv4 CONFIGURATION” to *Manual*
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→ Enter IP, Gateway, and DNS
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→ Save → Activate connection
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---
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**2. Connect to Wi-Fi from terminal:**
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nmtui connect
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→ Select your wireless interface
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→ Choose the SSID
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→ Enter the password
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→ Activate connection
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---
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**3. Change the hostname:**
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nmtui hostname
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→ Type your new hostname
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→ Confirm and exit
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→ The new hostname will apply immediately.
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---
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### 🛠 Troubleshooting
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| **Issue** | **Possible Solution** |
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|:-----------|:----------------------|
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| `nmtui` command not found | Install NetworkManager TUI: `sudo apt install network-manager` (Debian/Ubuntu) or `sudo dnf install NetworkManager-tui` (Fedora/RHEL/CentOS) |
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| Changes don’t take effect | Restart NetworkManager: `sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager` |
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| Interface not showing | Ensure your interface is managed by NetworkManager: check `/etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf` |
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| Wi-Fi missing | Make sure wireless drivers are installed and `nmcli device status` shows the Wi-Fi adapter |
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---
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### 🧰 Related Commands
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| **Command** | **Purpose** |
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|:-------------|:------------|
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| `nmcli` | Command-line (non-interactive) NetworkManager control |
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| `ip addr` | Show IP addresses of all interfaces |
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| `ifconfig` | (Deprecated) Interface configuration command |
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| `systemctl restart NetworkManager` | Restart NetworkManager service |
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| `hostnamectl` | Manage the system hostname directly |
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---
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### 🧾 Example: Configuring Ethernet via `nmtui`
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sudo nmtui
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→ Select **Edit a connection**
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→ Choose **Wired connection 1**
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→ Set IPv4 to **Manual**
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→ Fill in:
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Address: 192.168.1.50/24
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Gateway: 192.168.1.1
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DNS: 8.8.8.8
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→ Save → Back → **Activate a connection** → Select **Wired connection 1**
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✅ Your network connection will now use a static IP.
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---
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### 📘 Notes
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- Changes made with `nmtui` are persistent across reboots.
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- Requires **NetworkManager** to be active.
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- `nmtui` provides the same functionality as `nmcli` but in a more user-friendly interface.
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- Perfect for **server environments** or **SSH sessions** where GUI tools are unavailable.

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