Using screen - SethBodine/audit-tools GitHub Wiki

Using screen

screen is a terminal multiplexer that lets you run multiple shell sessions inside a single terminal window. It is particularly useful when running long-lived tools like Prowler, as you can detach from a session and reconnect later without interrupting the running process.

  • Run multiple shell sessions inside one terminal
  • Detach from a running session and reconnect later
  • Useful for running parallel tool executions
  • Persists across SSH disconnections

Prepare the Environment

No setup required. Run from the shell.

Basic Usage

screen          # start a new screen session
screen -ls      # list existing sessions
screen -r       # reconnect to a detached session

Keyboard Shortcuts

All screen commands begin with Ctrl+a.

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+a c Create a new terminal window
Ctrl+a n Next window
Ctrl+a p Previous window
Ctrl+a " List all windows (navigate with arrow keys)
Ctrl+a a Rename the current window
Ctrl+a d Detach from session (leaves it running)
Ctrl+a k Kill the current window
Ctrl+a ? Help / key binding reference
Ctrl+a Esc Enter scroll mode (Esc again to exit)

Quick Spin up multiple terminals (great for Prowler)

screen         # Start Screen
# All commands begin with Ctrl+A

a              # Update Terminal Name
c              # Create new Terminal
p              # Navigate backwards to previous window
n              # Navigate forward to the next window
"              # List all Windows, use arrow keys to select and Enter to switch

Known Issues

TBC

Further Reading