How to use the command 'i3lock' (with examples)

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.