How to use the command 'fastfetch' (with examples)
Fastfetch is a command that allows users to quickly display information about their operating system, software, and hardware. It is a lightweight utility that provides a concise summary of the system’s specifications. Users can customize the structure, load a custom configuration file, set a logo, and change the color of the keys and title.
Use case 1: Display system information
Code:
fastfetch
Motivation: This use case is helpful when you want to quickly view the specifications of your system, including the operating system, software, and hardware details. It allows you to get a snapshot of your system’s configuration without having to navigate through multiple settings and menus.
Explanation: By running the command ‘fastfetch’ without any arguments, the utility outputs the system information in a concise and easy-to-read format. It provides details such as the operating system name and version, desktop environment, CPU, memory, and GPU information.
Example output:
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS x86_64
Kernel: 5.11.0-37-generic
DE: GNOME
CPU: Intel i7-8700K (12) @ 3.700GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Memory: 16GB
Use case 2: Set the structure of the fetch
Code:
fastfetch --structure structure
Motivation: This use case allows users to customize the structure of the system information displayed by Fastfetch. The default structure may not include all the desired details, or users may prefer a different arrangement of the information.
Explanation: By specifying the structure argument followed by the desired structure, users can modify the layout of the system information. The structure parameter allows users to select specific fields such as OS, kernel, DE, CPU, GPU, and memory. Users can reorder the fields and even remove certain fields to tailor the output to their preferences.
Example output:
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS x86_64
DE: GNOME
CPU: Intel i7-8700K (12) @ 3.700GHz
Use case 3: Load a custom config file
Code:
fastfetch --load-config path/to/config_file
Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to load a custom configuration file that contains your preferred settings for Fastfetch. It allows you to easily switch between different configurations without manually modifying the command.
Explanation: By specifying the load-config argument followed by the path to the custom configuration file, users can load a predefined configuration. The config file contains the desired structure, logo, color, and any other customization options. This feature makes it convenient to switch between different configurations based on user preferences or themes.
Example output:
OS: Arch Linux x86_64
Kernel: 5.14.14-arch1-1
DE: KDE Plasma
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core @ 3.80GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Memory: 32GB
Use case 4: Set the logo to use
Code:
fastfetch --logo logo
Motivation: This use case allows users to set a custom logo to be displayed alongside the system information. It adds a touch of personalization and customization to the output.
Explanation: By specifying the logo argument followed by the desired logo, users can set a custom logo. The logo can be an ASCII art representation or an image file. By default, Fastfetch uses a minimalistic logo, but users can change it to their preferred logo or brand image.
Example output:
,-.
,' |
__,-'""|`-._|
__,-' . ,-. :,-`-.`.
,' ,-./ `:. `.`.
/ / .-. \ \ \
\ \ / ' /\ / /
`, `-.' ,' / `.-'.'
`.___,-' '---''
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS x86_64
DE: GNOME
CPU: Intel i7-8700K (12) @ 3.700GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Memory: 16GB
Use case 5: Set the color of the keys and title
Code:
fastfetch --color blue
Motivation: This use case allows users to change the color of the keys and title in the system information output. It enables customization and personalization based on user preferences.
Explanation: By specifying the color argument followed by the desired color, users can change the color scheme of the output. The available options include blue, red, green, yellow, purple, cyan, and white. This feature allows users to match the system information with their preferred color theme or aesthetic.
Example output:
OS: Ubuntu 20.04.3 LTS x86_64
Kernel: 5.11.0-37-generic
DE: GNOME
CPU: Intel i7-8700K (12) @ 3.700GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Memory: 16GB
Conclusion:
Using the ‘fastfetch’ command, users can easily display system information with customizable options such as the structure, custom logo, color scheme, and loading specific configurations. Fastfetch provides a lightweight and efficient way to access and personalize system information.