# lnav

Log file viewer.

Source: [Console review](<https://console.dev/tools/lnav>)

Website: [https://lnav.org/](<https://lnav.org/>)

Profile updated: 2026-10-16

Category: [Log management](<https://console.dev/tools/categories/devops-log-management>)

## Supported tech stack

Research checked: 2026-10-11

### Runs on

- FreeBSD (Operating system)
- Linux (Operating system)
- Windows (Operating system)
- macOS (Operating system)

### Integrates with

- SQLite (Integration)

### Written in

- C++ (Language)

Source: [Research source](<https://github.com/tstack/lnav>)

Documented compatibility; coverage may be incomplete. Written in describes implementation, not user-project language support.

C++ log viewer uses SQLite queries; binaries/packages cover Linux, macOS, Windows and FreeBSD.

## Console’s review — 2023-01-05

Reviewed: 2023-01-05

Author: [David Mytton](<https://console.dev/about#david-mytton>)

Citation: [This review](<https://console.dev/tools/lnav#review_5c9ed763dfa0fd756d9e3469d1c7fa4f02eefbf43ab27c5ec0725f5dab0891c5>)

### What we like

Point at a directory and it auto-detects file formats, parses, colorizes, merges, and displays them in your terminal. Can pretty print structured data e.g. JSON. Search as you type also streams in new log lines. Sessions can be restored. Query and filter the logs with SQL, which includes “virtual tables” to allow for comments, tags, and bookmarking.

### Tradeoffs

Official downloads don’t include Arm binaries (although the macOS version via Homebrew is compiled for Apple Silicon). Does not inherit the terminal theme - need to configure custom colors separately.

This review reflects Console’s assessment at publication on 2023-01-05. Features and limitations may have changed since the review date.

## Is lnav a fit?

Based on [Console’s review published on 2023-01-05](<https://console.dev/tools/lnav#review_5c9ed763dfa0fd756d9e3469d1c7fa4f02eefbf43ab27c5ec0725f5dab0891c5>).

Summary updated: 2026-10-16

### Who it’s for

Developers who work with log files should consider this tool

### Why consider it

It can automatically detect and parse log file formats

### Keep in mind

It does not inherit the terminal theme and requires custom color configuration

## In these collections

[Understand your systems](<https://console.dev/tools/collections/understand-your-systems>): Investigate several logs together instead of reading files one by one. The review covers merged streams, live search, and SQL queries; themes and ARM installation needed extra attention.

## Also consider

[Toolong](<https://console.dev/tools/toolong>): Compare lnav’s SQL queries with Toolong’s keyboard-driven search and tailing across multiple log files. The Toolong review notes no Windows support.

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