Using the qtile Command (with examples)

Starting the Window Manager

To start the qtile window manager, use the following command:

qtile start

Motivation: This command is used to start the qtile window manager if it is not already running. It is typically run from the .xsession file or equivalent.

Checking the Configuration File

To check the configuration file for any compilation errors, use the following command:

qtile check

Motivation: This command is useful when you have made changes to your qtile configuration file (~/.config/qtile/config.py) and want to ensure that there are no syntax errors or other issues. It is important to validate the configuration file to ensure that qtile can start and operate correctly.

Showing Resource Usage Information

To show the current resource usage information, use the following command:

qtile top --force

Motivation: This command allows you to monitor the resource usage of qtile in real-time. It provides information on CPU utilization, memory usage, and other system metrics. By using the --force flag, qtile refreshes the resource usage information continuously.

Opening a Program as a Floating Window

To open a program as a floating window on a specific group, use the following command:

qtile run-cmd --group {group_name} --float {program_name}

Replace {group_name} with the name of the group where you want to open the program and {program_name} with the name of the program you want to open.

Motivation: This command is useful when you want to open a specific program as a floating window instead of using the default tiling behavior. It allows you to control the position and size of the program window manually.

Restarting the Window Manager

To restart the qtile window manager, use the following command:

qtile cmd-obj --object cmd --function restart

Motivation: This command is used when you want to apply changes to the qtile configuration file without restarting your entire X session. It allows you to quickly reload the qtile configuration and see the changes take effect.

Example Outputs:

• Starting the Window Manager

  No output is produced when starting the window manager. The window manager will start running in the background.

• Checking the Configuration File

  If there are no compilation errors in the configuration file, the output will be:

  Configuration file syntax OK
  

  If there are errors in the configuration file, the output will display the specific errors that need to be fixed.

• Showing Resource Usage Information

  The output of this command will display the current resource usage information in real-time. It will include information such as CPU usage, memory usage, and other system metrics.

• Opening a Program as a Floating Window

  When a program is opened as a floating window on a specific group, the program window will appear in a floating position and size on the specified group.

• Restarting the Window Manager

  No specific output is produced when restarting the window manager. The window manager will be restarted, and any changes made to the configuration file will take effect.