How to Use the Command 'i3status' (with Examples)

The i3status command is designed to work with the i3 window manager, which is a popular tiling window manager for X11 on Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. i3status outputs a status line containing information like time, date, system updates, CPU usage, memory usage, and more, all formatted in a way that integrates well with the i3 bar. Typically, this command is invoked from the i3 configuration file and is responsible for providing you with real-time system status updates. Its lightweight nature ensures that it does not add significant overhead to your system resources.

Use case 1: Print the status line to stdout periodically, using the default configuration

Code:

i3status

Motivation for using the example:

When you are new to configuring the i3 window manager, you might want to start with the default settings provided out of the box for i3status. By using the default configuration, you can quickly test and understand what kind of information can be displayed in the status bar without diving into customizing configurations.

Explanation for every argument given in the command:

The i3status command in this example is executed without any additional options or arguments. Running it without arguments means it will seek a configuration file located at a default path (usually ~/.i3status.conf or /etc/i3status.conf) and use it to determine what status information to output.

Example output:

{"version":1} 
[{"full_text":"battery: 72%","name":"battery"}
,{"full_text":"memory: 4212MB","name":"memory"}
,{"full_text":"cpu: 4%","name":"cpu"}
,{"full_text":"load: 0.33","name":"load"}
,{"full_text":"wlan0: 192.168.1.15 (65% signal strength)","name":"wlan0"}
,{"full_text":"ETH: down","name":"eth"}
,{"full_text":"clock: 2023-10-31 10:35:22","name":"clock"}]

Use case 2: Print the status line to stdout periodically, using a specific configuration

Code:

i3status -c path/to/i3status.conf

Motivation for using the example:

As users become more familiar with i3status, they might want to customize the information presented in the status bar and how it is displayed. The -c option allows the user to specify a custom configuration file rather than defaulting to the generic configuration, giving more control over what information is important and visible for the specific use case.

Explanation for every argument given in the command:

The -c option is used to specify the path to a custom configuration file, path/to/i3status.conf. This allows users to define their preferences regarding which modules are loaded (like battery status, network information, CPU usage, etc.) and the formatting, intervals, and conditions under which this information is refreshed.

Example output:

{"version":1} 
[{"full_text":"battery: 80%","name":"battery"},
{"full_text":"disk: 120GB used of 250GB total","name":"disk"},
{"full_text":"weather: Sunny, 23°C","name":"weather"},
{"full_text":"clock: 2023-10-31 10:36:05","name":"clock"}]

Use case 3: Display help and version

Code:

i3status -h

Motivation for using the example:

This command is particularly useful for new users unfamiliar with i3status or for experienced users who may need a quick reference to validate their commands or to find how to implement a new flag or option. It provides basic usage instructions and details about available commands without needing to search through lengthy documentation or man pages.

Explanation for every argument given in the command:

The -h option is a standard argument for many command-line tools that provide immediate access to a help text. When executed, it displays a concise guide covering the potential options and usages of the i3status command, thereby serving as a basic manual.

Example output:

i3status 2.13
Display the current status of your system for the i3 window manager.

Usage: i3status [-c <path to config>] [-h] [-V]

Options:
  -c <file>   Specify a custom config file.
  -h          Display this help message and exit.
  -V          Output version information and exit.

Conclusion:

Understanding the basic use cases of the i3status command allows users to efficiently display and customize system information in a way that complements the modular and minimal philosophy of the i3 window manager. Whether you’re leveraging the default setup for quick use or diving into custom configurations for a personalized experience, i3status provides versatility and utility for your status monitoring needs. Additionally, the built-in help option empowers users to explore and discover different functionalities seamlessly.