PowerShell provides a shell and scripting environment for multiple systems, according to the project summary.
Open source
24 alternativesWhy Is This Running?
witr traces processes, ports, containers, or files back to what started them through command-line and text interfaces.
About Why Is This Running?
Why Is This Running? (witr) traces a process, port, container, or file back to the chain that started it. It shows where it came from and what supervisors, containers, services, or shells are responsible, in human-readable output, machine-readable JSON, or an interactive TUI.
It is distributed as a single static binary for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and Windows, with additional installs via package managers. Community and APT-packaged versions may lag GitHub releases.
Key features
- Trace processes, ports, containers, or files to their starting chain
- Provide results as human-readable output, JSON, or interactive TUI
- Show chains across supervisors, containers, services, and shells
- Distribute as single static binary for Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Windows
- Install via package managers including APT, Homebrew, and Winget
- Offer browser-based simulated Linux box for tutorial and free play
Best for: Users who need to find what started a process, port, container, or file.
Good for
- Combines information from multiple system tools into one causality output
- Offers command output, JSON output, and interactive TUI
- Provides install scripts and multiple package-manager installation options
Watch out for
- Community and APT-packaged versions may lag GitHub releases
Why Is This Running? at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › System Utilities
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Why Is This Running? FAQ
What can witr trace?
It traces a process, port, container, or file back to the chain that started it.
Which operating systems are supported?
Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, and Windows via a single static binary.
How is witr installed?
By Unix or Windows install script, or by package managers such as APT, Homebrew, MacPorts, Conda, AUR, and Winget.
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