Tutorial – Using rTorrent on Linux Like a Pro

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What is rTorrent?

rTorrent is a lightweight, ncurses-based BitTorrent client for Linux and other Unix-like systems. It runs entirely in the terminal, uses minimal resources, and is ideal for headless setups such as seedboxes or home servers.

Prerequisites

  • A Linux machine (Debian/Ubuntu/Fedora/Arch or similar)
  • Basic knowledge of the command line
  • SSH access if you’re installing on a remote server

1. Installation

Install rTorrent using your distribution’s package manager:

# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt install rtorrent

# Fedora
sudo dnf install rtorrent

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S rtorrent

2. Basic Usage

Start rTorrent by running: 

rtorrent

You’ll see a curses-based interface with different panes. Key commands:

  • Ctrl+q: Quit
  • Backspace: Load a .torrent file
  • Enter: Start/stop a torrent
  • Right arrow: View details of a selected torrent

3. Configuration

rTorrent reads its settings from ~/.rtorrent.rc. Create or edit this file: 

nano ~/.rtorrent.rc

Example configuration:

# Directory to save files
directory = ~/downloads

# Session directory (stores torrent state)
session = ~/.rtorrent/session

# Port range for incoming connections
port_range = 50000-50010

# Upload/download rate limits (in KiB)
upload_rate = 100
download_rate = 0   # 0 = unlimited

After editing, restart rTorrent to apply changes.

4. Automation & Advanced Tips

  • Watch Directory: Automatically load torrents placed in a specific folder. 
    schedule = watch_directory,5,5,load_start=~/torrents/*.torrent
  • Ratios & Seeding: Control seeding ratios to automate stopping after a threshold. 
    ratio.enable=
ratio.min.set = 1.0
ratio.max.set = 2.0
ratio.upload.set = 50M
schedule2 = ratio,60,60,"stop_on_ratio=1.0"
  • Automation Scripts: Pair rTorrent with tools like cron or systemd for unattended operation.

5. Running as a System Service

For servers, it’s convenient to run rTorrent under systemd so it starts automatically: 

[Unit]
Description=rTorrent
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=simple
ExecStart=/usr/bin/rtorrent
ExecStop=/bin/kill -s INT $MAINPID
Restart=on-failure
User=yourusername
WorkingDirectory=/home/yourusername

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Save this as /etc/systemd/system/rtorrent.service, then run:

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable --now rtorrent

6. Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

  • ^d (Ctrl+d): Remove torrent from list
  • + / –: Adjust download/upload priority
  • Space: Pause/resume all torrents

7. Security & Best Practices

  • Keep your system and rTorrent updated to the latest stable release.
  • Use a VPN or seedbox for privacy if required by your use case.
  • Set appropriate permissions on download and session directories.

Conclusion

rTorrent offers speed, flexibility, and full command-line control for serious Linux users. With a tuned .rtorrent.rc, watch directories, and systemd integration, you can run an automated, low-overhead torrenting setup that rivals any graphical client.

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