curlent

A wget-like command-line torrent downloader using libtorrent.

Features

• Download from .torrent files or magnet links
• Colored progress bar with speed and ETA
• Seeds to target ratio after download (default 2.0)
• Interface binding with kill switch for VPN use
• Configuration file for persistent settings
• DHT, LSD, PEX for peer discovery
• Session state persistence for faster startup
• Terminal bell on completion

Installation

Dependencies

• libtorrent-rasterbar
• boost
• OpenSSL

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S libtorrent-rasterbar boost

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install libtorrent-rasterbar-dev libboost-all-dev libssl-dev

Build

make
sudo make install

Usage

# Download from .torrent file
curlent ubuntu.torrent

# Download from magnet link (must be quoted!)
curlent "magnet:?xt=urn:btih:..."

# Specify output directory
curlent -o ~/Downloads ubuntu.torrent

# Bind to VPN interface with kill switch
curlent -i tun0 ubuntu.torrent

# Custom seed ratio
curlent -r 1.0 ubuntu.torrent

# Download only, don't seed
curlent -n ubuntu.torrent

# Quiet mode
curlent -q ubuntu.torrent

Options

Option	Description
-o, --output DIR	Output directory (default: current)
-i, --interface IF	Bind to network interface with kill switch
-r, --ratio RATIO	Seed ratio target (default: 2.0)
-n, --no-seed	Exit after download, don't seed
-q, --quiet	Minimal output
-h, --help	Show help

Configuration

Settings can be persisted in ~/.config/curlent/config:

# Output directory
output = ~/Downloads

# Bind to network interface with kill switch
interface = wg0

# Seed ratio target
ratio = 1.5

# Exit after download, don't seed
no-seed = false

# Quiet mode
quiet = false

Command line options override config file settings.

Kill Switch

When using -i, curlent binds all traffic to the specified interface and monitors its status. If the interface goes down (e.g., VPN disconnects), curlent immediately stops to prevent IP leaks.

Man Page

After installation, documentation is available via man curlent.

License

MIT