No colors in the process buffer

[dgaw]

I've noticed that the build tools that display color in a normal terminal don't display color in Howl's process buffer. I believe ANSI colors are supported so I'm wondering what might be wrong.

Steps to reproduce:

1. ctrl shift r
2. ls --color=auto

Expected result:

• a list of files and directories with color

Actual result:

• no colors

Interestingly, when I type ls --color=always then the colors do work so I presume it's something to do with ls (and other tools) not recognizing the color capability. I do have TERM=xterm-256color and COLORTERM=truecolor env variables though.

Any ideas?

Edit: I'm on the current master (fdf0997).

[rokf]

Isn't that the default behavior of most command line tools? When they're piped somewhere (not a tty) then they do not output color, except if forced.

[dgaw]

I think you're right @rokf. However, Spacemacs for example manages to work around this and build tools display color in its compilation buffer. I'll have a look at how they do it.

[nilnor]

Yes, Howl manages ANSI color output if present, but most tools don't emit if unless they detect that they're in a terminal, which is why they have to be forced. To get around this you'd have to fake a terminal using a psuedo TTY, which entails some effort.

[dgaw]

Thanks for the answers. I've checked the tools I use and they can all be forced to use color so I'm putting this one on a back burner.

[shalabhc]

This is related to #218 - terminal emulation.