port-killer

List and kill dev TCP servers from the terminal or Waybar.

Tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Ubuntu 26.04 LTS.

Quick install (Ubuntu 24 / 26)

git clone <repo-url> port-killer && cd port-killer
chmod +x install scripts/install-ubuntu-deps.sh

# Full stack: apt deps + build + Waybar module
./install --deps --waybar

Or step by step:

./scripts/install-ubuntu-deps.sh   # build-essential, iproute2, rofi, wofi, waybar
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh   # if no cargo
./install --waybar

Verify:

port-killer doctor

Binary installs to ~/.local/bin/port-killer. Add to PATH if needed:

export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"

Ubuntu packages

Package	Purpose
build-essential	Rust linker (cc)
iproute2	ss port scanning
libgtk-4-dev libadwaita-1-dev	Built-in kill window
waybar	Taskbar module (optional for CLI-only)
pkg-config	Rust build helper

One-liner: sudo apt install build-essential iproute2 libgtk-4-dev libadwaita-1-dev waybar

CLI usage

port-killer                 # interactive picker (default in a terminal)
port-killer status          # plain table (for scripts)
port-killer list            # JSON only — for Waybar, not humans
port-killer menu                 # built-in GTK kill window
port-killer menu --tui           # terminal picker instead
port-killer kill 12345      # kill by PID

Interactive controls: ↑↓ move, space toggle selection, enter confirm, esc cancel.

port-killer list is machine output for Waybar. Use port-killer or port-killer status in the terminal.

Ubuntu default desktop (GNOME)

Ubuntu 24 / 26 use GNOME Shell top bar — not Waybar (unless you installed Hyprland/Sway yourself).

port-killer setup gnome --install
# or
./install --gnome

Then restart GNOME Shell:

• X11: Alt+F2 → r → Enter
• Wayland: log out and back in

Look for the server icon and count on the top-right. Click → built-in kill window (GTK, matches Ubuntu theme).

Check: port-killer setup gnome --check

Auto-detect: port-killer setup desktop --install

Waybar (Hyprland / Sway / i3 only)

After installing the CLI:

port-killer setup waybar --install
pkill waybar; waybar &

Or everything at once: ./install --waybar

Not showing on the bar? Diagnose:

port-killer setup waybar --check

Common fix: Waybar does not inherit your shell PATH. The installer writes the full path to port-killer in config. If you use a custom Waybar config location:

port-killer setup waybar --install --config /path/to/your/config.jsonc

Restart Waybar after any config change.

What it shows

• TCP listeners on ports 1024–65535
• Excludes: 22, 53, 631, 5353, 9050, 11434
• Only your processes (UID check via /proc)

Safety

• Won't kill other users' processes
• SIGTERM first; SIGKILL only if process survives

Troubleshooting

port-killer doctor              # dependency + binary health check
port-killer setup waybar --check

Ubuntu 24 / 26 fresh machine: ./install --deps --waybar

Development

make build          # cargo build --release
make test           # cargo test
cargo run -- status