Terminal Features: How Escape Sequences Work
Escape sequences are byte patterns that control terminal features without displaying text. They enable various functionalities such as text styling, cursor positioning, and mode settings. The complexity of escape sequences varies across different terminal emulators, impacting how features are implemented and recognized.
- ▪Most terminal features are controlled by escape sequences, which are special byte patterns.
- ▪The Control Sequence Introducer (CSI) is the prefix for most escape sequences.
- ▪Escape sequences can be used for text styling, cursor movement, and enabling terminal modes.
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Terminal Features 270 features across 13 categories — tested across major terminal emulatorsMost terminal features — color changes, cursor moves, mode switches — are controlled by escape sequences, byte patterns your terminal interprets instead of displaying. Some features (text wrapping, character width, scrollback behavior) are behavioral properties that terminals implement without explicit control sequences. This page catalogs them all, with support data from major terminals. See the glossary for acronyms.How Escape Sequences Work Most terminal features are controlled by escape sequences — special byte patterns that tell the terminal to do something other than display text.
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