How to use the command 'i3lock' (with examples)
- Linux
- December 25, 2023
i3lock is a simple screen locker built for the i3 window manager. It allows users to lock their screens with various options such as background color, image background, and more.
Use case 1: Lock the screen showing a white background
Code:
i3lock
Motivation: Locking the screen with a white background provides a simple and clean visual indicator that the screen is locked.
Explanation: The command i3lock
without any additional arguments locks the screen with a default white background.
Example output:
Use case 2: Lock the screen with a simple color background (rrggbb format)
Code:
i3lock --color 0000ff
Motivation: Using a custom color background allows users to personalize the screen locker to their preferences.
Explanation: The --color
option followed by the specified color in the rrggbb format sets the background color of the locked screen. In this example, the color is set to blue (0000ff).
Example output:
Use case 3: Lock the screen to a PNG background
Code:
i3lock --image path/to/file.png
Motivation: Locking the screen with a custom image background adds a personal touch and allows users to showcase their favorite images.
Explanation: The --image
option followed by the path to the desired PNG file sets the background of the locked screen to the specified image.
Example output:
Use case 4: Lock the screen and disable the unlock indicator
Code:
i3lock --no-unlock-indicator
Motivation: Disabling the unlock indicator removes the visual feedback on keypress, providing a more minimalistic locking experience.
Explanation: The --no-unlock-indicator
option suppresses the unlock indicator that usually appears when the user starts typing to unlock the screen.
Example output:
No unlock indicator is shown on the locked screen.
Use case 5: Lock the screen and don’t hide the mouse pointer
Code:
i3lock --pointer default
Motivation: Keeping the mouse pointer visible on the locked screen helps users quickly locate and use it after unlocking.
Explanation: The --pointer
option allows users to choose the visibility of the mouse pointer on the locked screen. Setting it to default
ensures the pointer is not hidden.
Example output:
Use case 6: Lock the screen to a PNG background tiled over all monitors
Code:
i3lock --image path/to/file.png --tiling
Motivation: Tiling a custom image background over all monitors creates a unified locking experience across a multi-monitor setup.
Explanation: The --tiling
option sets the specified image as a tiled background across all monitors when locking the screen.
Example output:
Use case 7: Lock the screen and show the number of failed login attempts
Code:
i3lock --show-failed-attempts
Motivation: Displaying the number of failed login attempts provides awareness and, in case of unauthorized access attempts, alerts the user.
Explanation: The --show-failed-attempts
option shows the number of failed login attempts on the locked screen, reminding the user of any unauthorized access attempts.
Example output:
Conclusion:
The i3lock command provides a range of options for users to personalize their screen locking experience. Whether it’s the background color, image, unlock indicator, mouse pointer, or displaying failed attempts, i3lock allows users to customize and secure their screens according to their preferences.