wcurl: The simple cURL tool for downloading files from the terminal

  • wcurl greatly simplifies downloading files via terminal using curl
  • Allows multiple parallel downloads and automatic file name management
  • It is integrated into the latest versions of curl on all major Linux distributions.
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wcurl

Have you ever wanted to download files from the terminal without complicating your life with hard-to-remember options and parameters? For many users of Linux and other Unix-based operating systems, the command line is a fundamental tool, and while there are popular programs like wget and curl for downloads, often the number of curl options can be intimidating. This is where curl comes into play. wcurl, the perfect ally for those seeking simplicity without sacrificing power.

wcurl is a utility designed to facilitate downloading files from URLs without having to memorize a long list of parameters. This small but powerful script has earned the sympathy of the community, especially among those who want speed and efficiency in their daily workflow in the terminal. In this article, we'll take a comprehensive and in-depth look at everything you need to know about wcurl: what it is, how to install it, its main advantages and functions, how it's used in different distributions, and the features that make it stand out from other alternatives.

What is wcurl and what is it for?

The version of the curl with a W in front It is a simple script interface that acts as a wrapper for curl, making it easy to download files from the internet without requiring advanced knowledge of curl parameters. Its main goal is to eliminate the need to remember the options needed for a simple download: simply enter the URL or URLs you want to download, and wcurl automatically applies the best settings.

Developer Samuel Henrique, along with other collaborators, launched this project after noticing that many users were turning to wget when they wanted to download files quickly, precisely because curl requires remembering several parameters even for a simple operation. wcurl It was intended as a response to this problem, so that downloading files becomes a straightforward and convenient task again.

Advantages and main features of wcurl

  • You don't need to learn any new syntax: just type 'wcurl' followed by the URL and the script does the rest.
  • Multiple parallel downloads: If your curl version is 7.66.0 or higher, wcurl allows you to download multiple files at once.
  • Respects redirects and applies automatic naming: Follows redirects to get the final file and assigns logical file names.
  • Avoid overwriting files: If you have curl 7.83.0 or newer, wcurl uses the 'no-clobber' option so you don't lose existing files.
  • Recover interrupted files, perform automatic retries, and save the exact download timestamp if provided by the server.
  • Disable curl URL globbing: this way, the {} and [] characters will have no special meaning.
  • Correctly encodes and decodes file names: for example, it converts spaces to %20 and, upon saving, recovers them as normal spaces if you want.
  • Assigns “index.html” if the URL does not contain a filename: useful for downloading entire web pages.

What is the difference between wcurl and curl and wget?

The main difference between wcurl and curl is that it is designed for very specific use cases: download files without complications, applying "sane defaults" without any user intervention. While wget has been the choice of those who prefer simplicity, wcurl allows you to enjoy the power of curl but with the same speed and ease of use as wget.

Who is wcurl designed for? Practically. for any user of the terminal: from system administrators and programmers who download scripts and data on a daily basis, to users who occasionally need to download easily without fear of making mistakes with the parameters.

Installing wcurl: How to get it on your system

Installation wcurl It is very direct, and is increasingly integrated with the packages of curl of the main distributions. From curl 8.14.0, wcurl It comes standard in the source files of curl; if you compile or install curl from the recent repositories, you will have wcurl ready to use.

Installation with the curl package

  • Debian and derivatives: From version 8.8.0-2 of the package curl in Debian, wcurl It comes already installed (on Debian unstable since July 2024, and planned for testing and backports).
  • Other distributions like Ubuntu, Kali, and Fedora: Recent packages may also include wcurl along with curlIf in doubt, consult your package manager or the documentation.
  • Distributions where it is not yet available: You can install wcurl manually by downloading the official script from GitHub.

Step-by-step manual installation

  1. Download the script from the official repository:
    • With curl: 
      curl -fLO https://github.com/curl/wcurl/releases/latest/download/wcurl
    • Or with wget: 
      wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Debian/wcurl/main/wcurl
  2. Make the file executable: 
    chmod +x wcurl
  3. Move the file to a path included in your PATH, for example /usr/bin: 
    sudo mv wcurl /usr/bin/wcurl

And you can start using wcurl now.

Pronunciation and curiosities of the name

The name comes from the contraction of wget and curl, although it does not have a literal meaning. Pronounced "double-u curl"Interestingly, in early discussions, it was considered to call it "curld," but this was discarded to avoid confusion with "daemons." It was eventually suggested by the community and quickly adopted.

How to use wcurl: practical examples

Using wcurl is super easyYou simply specify the URLs you want to download, and optionally apply additional parameters if necessary.

Basic file download

wcurl example.com/file.txt

Download multiple files in parallel

wcurl example.com/file1.txt example.com/file2.txt

Passing additional options to curl

wcurl --curl-options="--progress-bar --http2" example.com/file.txt

This passes the flags –progress-bar y –http2 to the execution of curl internal, allowing greater customization.

Resume an interrupted download

wcurl --curl-options="--continue-at -" example.com/file.txt

Using exit options and help

  • See help options: 
    wcurl --help
  • Specify custom output route: 
    wcurl -o "-o destination_file.txt" https://example.com/file.txt

Options and parameters available in wcurl

In addition to the usual simplicity, wcurl allows for a certain degree of customization. thanks to the fact that you can pass advanced options curl:

  • –curl-options=: Allows you to specify any option supported by curl. You can use this multiple times if needed.
  • -o, -O, –output, –output=: Defines the path/output of the downloaded file instead of taking it from the URL. If you download multiple files and use the same path, add a sequential number at the end (if curl >= 7.83.0).
  • –no-decode-filename: Do not decode the file name, useful if you prefer to preserve URL encoding (e.g. spaces like %20).
  • –dry-run: : Only shows the curl command that would be executed, without performing the actual download.
  • -V, –version: Displays the version of wcurl installed.
  • -h, --help: Help and list of available options.

Remember Parameters other than options are interpreted by wcurl as URLs to download.. The encoding of spaces and other special characters is managed internally.

Integration and availability of wcurl on different distributions

  • Debian and derivatives: wcurl comes with curl starting with 8.8.0-2 (July 2024 in unstable, soon to be tested and backported to stable versions).
  • Fedora, Ubuntu, Kali and others: Recent versions of curl may also include wcurl. If your distribution doesn't yet integrate it, you can follow the manual installation.
  • On distributions where curl is updated regularly: wcurl is usually available as soon as it reaches testing/rolling release.
  • For stagnant distributions or older versions: You may need to install wcurl from the official script until it arrives via the repository.

What if I need more advanced features?

This proposal It is designed for simple downloads. If you require more complex operations (advanced authentication, custom scripts, upload operations…), it is better to use curl directly, since wcurl only forwards the additional parameters but does not extend the functionality of curl.

Bugs, support and collaboration

If you encounter any issues specific to wcurl (something that doesn't occur using curl directly), you can report them on the official GitHub repositoryThe project is maintained as free software under the curl license, with active contributions. You can also join chat rooms like Matrix to interact with the developers.

Best practices and tips after installing wcurl

  • Test your downloads with the option –dry-run If you're not sure how it will work, this will help you avoid surprises, overwriting, or unwanted downloads.
  • Remember that any advanced options that curl would accept can be passed to wcurl via –curl-options: It is a flexible way to fine-tune the behavior if you need to.
  • To keep your scripts POSIX-compliant and cleanPlease note that wcurl is standards-based to maximize compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about wcurl

  • What happens if my system doesn't have wcurl after installing curl? Check the installed version of curl. If it's older than wcurl's integration with your distribution, install the script manually following the steps mentioned above.
  • Can I use wcurl on macOS systems? If you have updated curl or can install custom scripts, yes. Make sure your version of curl is compatible if you want to take advantage of parallel downloads and other improvements.
  • Can you update wcurl without updating all of curl? Yes, although it's recommended to keep both updated. You can always override the script manually if you need a new feature or fix.
  • Why use wcurl instead of wget? wcurl allows you to use the curl engine, which is generally more present and up-to-date on Unix systems, and offers a simpler syntax with all the benefits of the curl experience.

The constant evolution of this tool, its careful adaptation to users' real needs, and its progressive integration into major distributions are making it the preferred option for simple and quick downloads from the terminal. If you value efficiency, simplicity, and under-the-hood power, it's worth trying and adding to your repertoire of daily tools.