How to Use the Command 'Gammastep' (with Examples)

Gammastep is an adaptable utility designed to adjust the screen’s color temperature based on the time of day, promoting healthier screen habits and reducing eye strain. By simulating natural light cycles, Gammastep helps synchronize screen brightness and color with outdoor lighting conditions, making it especially useful for avid computer users or those working late into the night.

Use Case 1: Turn on Gammastep with a Specific Temperature During the Day and at Night

Code:

gammastep -t 5700:3600

Motivation: Many users experience discomfort when using electronic devices for extended periods, particularly at night. Setting different color temperatures for day and night can relieve eye strain and improve sleep quality by reducing blue light exposure during the evening.

Explanation:

• -t: This option allows users to specify the target color temperatures for daytime and nighttime separately.
• 5700: This is the color temperature in Kelvin for daytime usage, which mimics natural daylight.
• 3600: This is the color temperature for nighttime, creating a warm tone to be easier on the eyes.

Example Output: Once the command is executed, Gammastep will automatically adjust your screen’s temperature to 5700K during the day and 3600K at night. As a result, daytime visuals will appear natural, while nighttime colors will be warmer and less straining.

Use Case 2: Turn on Gammastep with a Manually Specified Custom Location

Code:

gammastep -l 40.7128:-74.0060

Motivation: Gammastep can adjust the screen’s color temperature based on your location’s sunrise and sunset times. Manually setting a location is beneficial for those who travel frequently or reside in areas not automatically detected by location services.

Explanation:

• -l: This parameter sets the desired location by latitude and longitude.
• 40.7128:-74.0060: These coordinates point to New York City, determining the local time for sunrises and sunsets.

Example Output: The screen temperature will adapt to the sunrise and sunset of the specified location, New York City. As a result, users will notice smoother transitions that align better with local geographic lighting conditions, irrespective of their actual location.

Use Case 3: Turn on Gammastep with a Specific Screen Brightness

Code:

gammastep -b 0.7:0.4

Motivation: Adjusting screen brightness throughout the day can be crucial for maintaining optimal screen visibility and reducing energy consumption. This feature is particularly advantageous for users whose ambient lighting varies significantly between day and night.

Explanation:

• -b: This switch sets the screen’s brightness levels for different times of day.
• 0.7: Represents 70% brightness during the day, optimizing visibility under bright conditions.
• 0.4: Represents 40% brightness during the night, reducing glare and power usage when less light is needed.

Example Output: The command adjusts the screen brightness to 70% during the day and dims it to 40% at night, helping protect your eyes and conserve device energy.

Use Case 4: Turn on Gammastep with Custom Gamma Levels

Code:

gammastep -g 0.9:0.8:0.7

Motivation: Different screens display colors with varying intensities, so adjusting gamma levels can enhance visual quality and color accuracy according to personal preferences or artistic tasks.

Explanation:

• -g: This flag sets the gamma level for each primary color (red, green, blue).
• 0.9: Adjusts the red gamma.
• 0.8: Adjusts the green gamma.
• 0.7: Adjusts the blue gamma.

Example Output: Colors on the screen will visually shift to reflect the specified gamma values, altering brightness and contrast in subtle ways to achieve the desired effect.

Use Case 5: Turn on Gammastep with a Constant Unchanging Color Temperature

Code:

gammastep -O 5000

Motivation: For users who prefer a consistent visual experience without fluctuation, setting a constant temperature can provide uniformity, which is key for graphic design work or for those sensitive to changes in light.

Explanation:

• -O: This argument fixes the color temperature to a singular value, irrespective of the time of day.
• 5000: The selected color temperature that yields a soft daylight white, maintaining its tone consistently.

Example Output: The screen maintains a steady color temperature of 5000K, providing a stable and consistent viewing experience suitable for critical visual tasks.

Use Case 6: Reset Temperature Adjustments Applied by Gammastep

Code:

gammastep -x

Motivation: Occasionally, users may need to temporarily disable Gammastep adjustments to return their display to default settings temporarily, such as when calibrating color for design projects.

Explanation:

• -x: This option removes all modifications made to screen temperature by Gammastep.

Example Output: Executing this command resets the screen color temperature back to its native settings, providing an unaltered and default display output.

Conclusion

Gammastep is a versatile tool that allows fine-tuning of your screen’s color and brightness settings to coincide with your daily schedule or preferences. These examples showcase its multiple uses, enabling enhanced visual ergonomics and comfort tailored to individual user needs.