Tutorial – Using rTorrent on Linux Like a Pro

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.