For developers, system administrators, and command-line enthusiasts, Konsole has always been a reliable terminal emulator within the KDE ecosystem. With the upcoming release of version 24.12.0, Konsole is going to introduce a highly anticipated feature: automatic session output saving. This feature allows users to automatically save all terminal output to a file in real time.
KDE Konsole's Autosave Feature
While the ability to save scrollback to a file has existed in previous versions, it required manual intervention. The new autosave feature in Konsole 24.12.0 allows users to automatically save all terminal output to a file in real time.
Konsole's new autosave feature promises to be a game-changer for users who need to keep detailed logs of their terminal sessions. Imagine effortlessly referencing past commands, troubleshooting errors, or simply reviewing your workflow without the hassle of manual saving!!
How Autosave Works in Konsole
As Theodore Wang, the Konsole Developer, noted in the KDE bug tracker, the Konsole autosave functionality is integrated into a new class called SaveHistoryAutoTask which operates within Konsole's framework. Here's the detailed explanation of how it works:
- Triggering Autosave: Users can start the autosave feature through a dedicated "Auto Save Output As" button located in the "File" tab of the Konsole toolbar.
- Choosing a File: Upon activation, a file dialog appears, enabling the user to select the desired file for storing the autosaved content.
- The Autosave Process: A new class called "SaveHistoryAutoTask" manages the autosaving process, inheriting from "SessionTask". This class uses a fixed time interval, configurable in the profile settings under the "Advanced" tab, to save the output to the chosen file.
- Stopping Autosave: Once autosave is active, the "Auto Save Output As" button is replaced with a "Stop Auto Save" button, allowing users to halt the process.
- Error Handling: Any errors during autosave, such as issues with file access or modifications, trigger a "KMessageBox" detailing the problem and stop the autosaving.
This new mechanism promises a robust and efficient way to capture and save terminal output in real-time.
Beta Testing Phase
Currently, the autosave feature is in its final stages of development and is undergoing beta testing. For those eager to experience this feature firsthand, installing the beta version of Konsole 24.12.0 is recommended.
While the beta version allows users to test and provide valuable feedback on the autosave feature, it's important to remember that unforeseen bugs might be present. Users are encouraged to report any issues they encounter, contributing to the final polish of this exciting new addition to Konsole.
Final Release
While there is no exact release date mentioned, the sources indicate that the final release of Konsole 24.12.0, with the autosave feature, is expected soon.
TLDR;
Timeline:
- 2009: User Liang Guo initiates a feature request for automatic session logging in Yakuake, a drop-down terminal emulator based on Konsole in September, 2009. The request highlights the desire for a functionality similar to PuTTY's logging, enabling automatic saving of terminal input and output to a file.
- 2009-2024: The request remains dormant for several years, with only minor discussions and related feature connections being made.
- 2024: Developer Theodore Wang implements the autosave functionality in Konsole version 24.12.0. This feature is highlighted in Nate Graham's blog post "This week in KDE: features and UI polish".
Key Features of the Implemented Autosave Functionality:
- Real-time Saving: The Autosave feature provides a mechanism to automatically save the output of a Konsole terminal session to a file in real-time.
- User Control: Users can initiate the autosave functionality via a dedicated "Auto Save Output As" button within the "File" tab of Konsole's toolbar. This button toggles to a "Stop Auto Save" button once the feature is active, providing on-demand control.
- Error Handling: The implementation incorporates robust error handling. If errors occur during the autosave process, a detailed message box alerts the user, and the autosave process is halted to prevent data loss or corruption.
- Customizable Interval: Users can define the frequency of autosaves within the "Advanced" tab of their Konsole profile settings. This allows for flexibility based on individual needs and preferences.
For more information on the autosave feature in Konsole 24.12.0, refer to the following sources:
