dconf
Read or write GNOME configuration settings
TLDR
Print a specific key value
Print a specific path sub-directories and sub-keys
Write a specific key value
Reset a specific key value
Watch a specific key/directory for changes
Dump a specific directory in INI file format
SYNOPSIS
dconf {read|write|reset|list|help} [OPTIONS...]
PARAMETERS
read KEY
Reads the value of KEY.
write KEY VALUE
Writes VALUE to KEY. VALUE must be in GVariant format.
reset KEY
Resets KEY to its default value.
list [PATH]
Lists the keys or subdirectories at PATH. Defaults to root if PATH is not specified.
help
Displays help information.
--all
Used with list to list all keys (including those which are not directly under the specified path but contained in subdirectories).
--verbose
Show detailed information. (e.g. errors)
DESCRIPTION
dconf is a low-level configuration system.
It provides a centralized way to store and retrieve configuration settings, primarily used by the GNOME desktop environment and related applications.
dconf interacts with a hierarchical database, which can be accessed via a command-line tool or programmatically through libraries.
It is commonly used to set application preferences, system settings, and other configuration options.
dconf replaces GConf in newer GNOME versions.
While designed to be a backend, dconf commands allow users to read, write, and reset keys in the database from the command line. This makes it useful for scripting configuration changes and debugging issues.
CAVEATS
dconf directly manipulates the underlying configuration database. Incorrect usage can lead to application malfunctions or system instability. Understanding GVariant syntax is crucial for writing values.
GVARIANT FORMAT
When using dconf write, the VALUE must be a valid GVariant string. Examples: 's "hello"' (string), 'i 10' (integer), 'b true' (boolean), 'as ["item1", "item2"]' (string array).
EXAMPLE USAGE
To read the theme name:
dconf read /org/gnome/desktop/interface/gtk-theme
To set the theme name:
dconf write /org/gnome/desktop/interface/gtk-theme 's "Adwaita"'
To reset the theme name:
dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/interface/gtk-theme
HISTORY
dconf was created as a replacement for GConf in the GNOME desktop environment. It was designed to be faster and more efficient than GConf, while also offering a more flexible and extensible configuration system. It has been the primary configuration backend for GNOME since version 3.
SEE ALSO
gsettings(1)