How to use the command swaybg (with examples)

Swaybg is a wallpaper tool specifically designed for Wayland compositors. It allows users to set their wallpaper to an image or a static color, as well as choose from different wallpaper modes such as stretch, fit, fill, center, tile, or solid color. In this article, we will explore each of these use cases and provide examples for better understanding.

Use case 1: Set the wallpaper to an image

Code:

swaybg --image path/to/image

Motivation: Setting the wallpaper to an image allows users to personalize their Wayland desktop environment and make it visually appealing. It provides the flexibility to choose any image stored on the system as the wallpaper.

Explanation:

• --image: Specifies the path to the image file that will be used as the wallpaper.

Example output: None, but the wallpaper will be set to the specified image.

Use case 2: Set the wallpaper mode

Code:

swaybg --image path/to/image --mode stretch|fit|fill|center|tile|solid_color

Motivation: Choosing the appropriate wallpaper mode ensures that the image fits harmoniously on the screen. Users can experiment with different modes to achieve the desired layout and display of the wallpaper.

Explanation:

• --image: Specifies the path to the image file that will be used as the wallpaper.
• --mode: Specifies the wallpaper mode. It can be one of the following options:
  • stretch: Stretches the image to fit the screen.
  • fit: Preserves the image’s aspect ratio and fits it within the screen, leaving empty space if necessary.
  • fill: Preserves the image’s aspect ratio and fills the screen entirely, cropping parts of the image if necessary.
  • center: Centers the image on the screen without any scaling.
  • tile: Tiles the image across the screen, creating a pattern.
  • solid_color: Sets a solid color as the wallpaper.

Example output: None, but the wallpaper will be set to the specified image using the chosen mode.

Use case 3: Set the wallpaper to a static color

Code:

swaybg --color "#rrggbb"

Motivation: Setting the wallpaper to a static color allows users to have a consistent and minimalistic look. It is especially useful when no specific image is desired as the wallpaper, but a solid color background is preferred.

Explanation:

• --color: Specifies the color in hexadecimal format. The color can be any valid RGB value in the format “#rrggbb”.

Example output: None, but the wallpaper will be set to the specified static color.

Conclusion:

Swaybg is a powerful command-line tool for managing wallpapers in Wayland compositors. Whether you want to set an image as the wallpaper, define the wallpaper mode, or have a solid color background, swaybg provides the necessary functionality. By following the examples in this article, you can easily customize your Wayland desktop environment to suit your personal preferences and style.