Master the lnav Manpages for Powerful Log Analysis

Lnav manpages are the key. They turn the lnav command-line log viewer from a simple utility into a precise instrument for exploring and analyzing logs directly in your console. The manpages document every command, option, and keystroke lnav supports—no more guessing what a flag does or scrolling through outdated web snippets.

Lnav reads log files in multiple formats without pre-configuring parsers. The manpages detail how to filter logs with SQL queries, navigate by timestamp, and follow live log data. Using man lnav reveals built-in commands like :filter-in, :filter-out, and :save-to for capturing results. Flags like -n (no-save) or -r (read from stdin) are fully explained.

Advanced sections of the lnav manpages cover JSON, syslog, and Apache/Nginx support. They explain how to define your own formats and regular expressions in YAML, load them at runtime, and use syntax highlighting across structured log output. Searching in manpages shows keybindings for rapid movement—g to jump to start, G for end, / for regex search.

By reading the manpages closely and experimenting in a live terminal, you can chain lnav’s tools—merging logs from different servers, querying them with SQL, exporting structured results—all without leaving your SSH session. The manpage is the source of truth for every capability, including seldom-used commands that unlock powerful workflows.

Stop relying on hazy recollection or random blog tips. Master the lnav manpages. They are the fastest way to turn raw logs into actionable intelligence, right where the data lives.

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