Fixing `'xterm-ghostty': unknown terminal type` over SSH

xterm-ghostty-terminal-type.md

Fixing 'xterm-ghostty': unknown terminal type over SSH

When connecting to a remote host with Ghostty, commands like clear, tmux, or less may fail with:

'xterm-ghostty': unknown terminal type.

This happens because the remote host doesn't have Ghostty's terminfo entry. Here are three fixes, easiest first.

1. Quick fix (per command)

Override TERM for a single command:

TERM=xterm-256color clear

2. Set TERM for the SSH session

In your local ~/.ssh/config:

Host myserver
    SetEnv TERM=xterm-256color

Requires AcceptEnv TERM on the server (often the default). If it's not set, this silently has no effect.

3. Proper fix — install Ghostty's terminfo on the remote

Export your local xterm-ghostty terminfo and install it into the remote user's ~/.terminfo:

infocmp -x | ssh myserver -- tic -x -

This is the recommended option: it preserves Ghostty's full terminal capabilities instead of downgrading TERM. Options 1 and 2 are fine when you just need it working right now.