Linux console

This page refers to the 'linux console' console driver builtin to the kernel (for TTYs).

Documentation

arch wiki

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Linux_console

Locations

/etc/vconsole.conf	config
/usr/share/kbd/keymaps/i386/qwerty/*.map.gz	keymap files

Configuration

Colours

# change TTY colours
setterm -foreground black -background white

# Set script to run on login:
if [ "$TERM" = "linux" ]; then
    echo -en "\e]P0151515" # Black
    echo -en "\e]P1ac4142" # Red
    ...
    echo -en "\e]PEac4142" # Bright Cyan
    echo -en "\e]PFac4142" # Bright White
    clear # Clear artifacts
fi

# \e]P0, \e]PF (base 16) are the escape sequences to set colours
# There are 16 colours (8 half bright, 8 bright)

Repeat Rate

kbdrate -s -d 200.0 -r 30.0  ## change the repeatkey speed in the console on linux

Unfortunately, this is not configured,
but you can create a systemd service that sets this:

# /etc/systemd/system/kbdrate.service
[Unit]                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Description=Keyboard repeat rate in tty.                                                                                                                                                                 

[Service]                                                                                                                                                                                                
Type=simple                                                                                                                                                                                              
RemainAfterExit=yes                                                                                                                                                                                      
StandardInput=tty                                                                                                                                                                                        
StandardOutput=tty                                                                                                                                                                                       
ExecStart=/usr/bin/kbdrate -s -d 200.0 -r 30.0                                                                                                                                                           

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

Video Mode

Your tty generally uses uses your videocard to render the console in a framebuffer.
The resolution is controlled using modesets.

If you are having issues viewing your tty, try disabling the framebuffer/modeset
using the kernel parameters nomodeset and/or nofb. See Linux Kernel#Kernel Options for details.