
witr
Why is this running? Trace process, port, container or file
About witr
Witr is a powerful diagnostic tool designed for developers, system administrators, and DevOps professionals who need to understand the origin and context of running processes on their systems. Unlike traditional commands like ps, top, or lsof that reveal what is running, Witr takes it a step further by explaining why a process is active. By pointing it at a process ID, port, container, or file, users can trace the entire chain—covering systemd, supervisor, shell, or cron—that led to its initiation. Its interactive TUI interface offers an intuitive way to explore processes, ports, containers, and locks, while scripting options allow for automation and integration into monitoring workflows. Available as a single static Go binary compatible across Linux, macOS, Windows, and BSD, Witr is both versatile and portable, making it ideal for troubleshooting complex environments and containerized setups. Its ability to provide detailed context and warnings makes it a standout tool for in-depth system analysis.
Screenshots





Pros
- ✓Provides detailed process origin tracing beyond traditional commands
- ✓Supports multiple platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows, BSD) with a single binary
- ✓Interactive TUI for easy exploration and troubleshooting
- ✓Flexible scripting options (--short, --json) for automation
- ✓Open source and lightweight, suitable for integration into existing workflows
Cons
- ✗Relatively new with limited community adoption and documentation
- ✗May require familiarity with system internals for full benefit
- ✗Lacks a graphical user interface, relying on command-line or TUI
Use Cases
Pricing
Witr is open source and free to use, distributed as a single static binary for multiple operating systems. Its open-source nature makes it accessible without any licensing costs, though support or extended features may depend on community contributions or future updates.
Quick Info
Topics
Makers
Pranshu Parmar
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