How to use the command 'kde-inhibit' (with examples)

The ‘kde-inhibit’ command is used to inhibit various desktop functions while a specified command is running. It can be used to prevent power management actions, screen savers, color correction, and other desktop functions from interrupting or affecting the execution of a command. This can be useful when running a command that requires uninterrupted access to system resources or when you want to temporarily disable certain desktop features.

Use case 1: Inhibit power management

Code:

kde-inhibit --power command command_arguments

Motivation:

Imagine you are downloading a large file or performing a system update that requires consistent power supply without interruption. In this case, you can use the ‘kde-inhibit’ command with the ‘–power’ option to inhibit power management actions such as automatic sleep, hibernation, or screen dimming while the command is running. This ensures that your system remains powered on and active throughout the process.

Explanation:

• ‘kde-inhibit’: The command itself.
• ‘–power’: The option that specifies the type of inhibition, in this case, power management.
• ‘command’: The command you want to execute while inhibiting power management actions.
• ‘command_arguments’: Optional arguments or parameters required by the command.

Example output:

When running the following command to download a file:

kde-inhibit --power wget https://example.com/large-file.zip

The power management actions such as automatic sleep or screen dimming will be inhibited while the file is being downloaded, ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

Use case 2: Inhibit screen saver

Code:

kde-inhibit --screenSaver command command_arguments

Motivation:

During a presentation or when watching a movie, it can be inconvenient to have the screen saver activate, causing interruptions. By using the ‘kde-inhibit’ command with the ‘–screenSaver’ option, you can temporarily inhibit the screen saver while a specific command is running, ensuring that the screen stays active.

Explanation:

• ‘kde-inhibit’: The command itself.
• ‘–screenSaver’: The option that specifies the type of inhibition, in this case, the screen saver.
• ‘command’: The command you want to execute while inhibiting the screen saver.
• ‘command_arguments’: Optional arguments or parameters required by the command.

Example output:

If you want to watch a movie without the screen saver activating, you can use the following command to launch your media player:

kde-inhibit --screenSaver vlc movie.mp4

The screen saver will be inhibited while VLC plays the movie, ensuring an uninterrupted viewing experience.

Use case 3: Inhibit color correction for media playback

Code:

kde-inhibit --colorCorrect command command_arguments

Motivation:

Certain media players apply color correction or night mode filters during video playback. However, there may be cases when you want to watch a video without any color correction, maintaining the original color profile. In such cases, the ‘kde-inhibit’ command with the ‘–colorCorrect’ option can be used to inhibit color correction while the media player is running.

Explanation:

• ‘kde-inhibit’: The command itself.
• ‘–colorCorrect’: The option that specifies the type of inhibition, in this case, color correction.
• ‘command’: The media player you want to launch while inhibiting color correction.
• ‘command_arguments’: Optional arguments or parameters required by the media player.

Example output:

To launch VLC and inhibit color correction during video playback, use the following command:

kde-inhibit --colorCorrect vlc movie.mp4

The color correction feature, such as night mode, will be disabled while VLC is playing the video, preserving the original color profile.

Conclusion:

The ‘kde-inhibit’ command provides a convenient way to temporarily inhibit various desktop functions while running specific commands. It can be used to prevent power management actions, screen savers, color correction, and other desktop features from interfering with command execution. By using the appropriate options, users can tailor the behavior of the command to their specific needs, ensuring uninterrupted execution and optimal user experience.