How to use the command polybar-msg (with examples)
Polybar is a powerful status bar for desktop environments, and the polybar-msg command allows you to control Polybar using inter-process messaging (IPC). With polybar-msg, you can perform various actions on the Polybar, such as quitting, restarting, hiding, and showing the bar, as well as executing module actions. In this article, we will explore each of these use cases with examples.
Use case 1: Quit the bar
Code:
polybar-msg cmd quit
Motivation: Quitting the bar is useful when you want to stop the Polybar from running.
Explanation: The cmd sub-command is used to send a command to Polybar. In this case, we use the quit command to stop the bar.
Example output:
Quit command sent to Polybar
Use case 2: Restart the bar in-place
Code:
polybar-msg cmd restart
Motivation: Restarting the bar is useful when you want to apply changes made to the Polybar configuration file without manually restarting the entire system or session.
Explanation: The restart command is used to restart the bar in-place, which means it will reload the Polybar configuration file and update the bar accordingly.
Example output:
Restart command sent to Polybar
Use case 3: Hide the bar
Code:
polybar-msg cmd hide
Motivation: Hiding the bar can be convenient when you want it to temporarily disappear from the screen to make more room for your workspace.
Explanation: The hide command is used to hide the bar. If the bar is already hidden, this command will do nothing.
Example output:
Hide command sent to Polybar
Use case 4: Show the bar again
Code:
polybar-msg cmd show
Motivation: Showing the bar is useful when you have previously hidden it and want to make it visible again.
Explanation: The show command is used to show the bar again. If the bar is not hidden, this command will do nothing.
Example output:
Show command sent to Polybar
Use case 5: Toggle between hidden/visible
Code:
polybar-msg cmd toggle
Motivation: Toggling between hidden and visible can be handy when you frequently switch between needing the bar and wanting it out of the way.
Explanation: The toggle command is used to toggle between hiding and showing the bar. If the bar is hidden, this command will show it, and if it is visible, this command will hide it.
Example output:
Toggle command sent to Polybar
Use case 6: Execute a module action
Code:
polybar-msg action "#module_name.action_name.data_string"
Motivation: Executing a module action allows you to modify the behavior of specific modules in the Polybar.
Explanation: The action sub-command is used to send an action to the Polybar. The data string is optional and can contain additional information needed by the module action.
Example output:
Action command sent to Polybar
Use case 7: Only send messages to a specific Polybar instance
Code:
polybar-msg -p pid cmd|action payload
Motivation: Sending messages to a specific Polybar instance is useful when you have multiple instances running and want to target a specific bar.
Explanation: The -p pid option is used to specify the process ID (PID) of the target Polybar instance. By default, messages are sent to all instances. The cmd or action sub-command is used along with the payload to perform the desired action.
Example output:
Command sent to specific Polybar instance
Conclusion:
The polybar-msg command provides a convenient way to control Polybar using inter-process messaging. Whether you need to quit, restart, hide, show, toggle, or execute module actions, polybar-msg has you covered. Additionally, you can send messages to specific Polybar instances when needed. By leveraging the power of polybar-msg, you can enhance your Polybar experience and customize it to suit your needs.
