Quick Tip

Harnessing `stdbuf` for Unbuffered Command Output

Challenge: When running certain commands, especially those involved in piping or scripting, their output might be buffered. This means you won’t see the output in real-time, which can be problematic for monitoring or interactive scripts.

The Solution: Use the `stdbuf` command to control or disable output buffering for a given command.

stdbuf -oL your_command > output.log

Why it works: The `-o L` option tells `stdbuf` to set the output buffer mode to “line buffering”. This ensures that output is flushed line by line, making it available immediately.

Pro-Tip: You can also use `-o 0` to completely disable output buffering for a command, which might be useful in specific scenarios where even line buffering introduces latency.

Linux Tips & Tricks | © ngelinux.com | 4/28/2026