gimp
Open-source image editor for photo retouching and graphic design
TLDR
SYNOPSIS
gimp [options] [files]
DESCRIPTION
gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a powerful open-source image editor. It provides tools for photo retouching, image composition, and image authoring, supporting numerous file formats.GIMP features layers, masks, filters, color adjustments, and drawing tools. It supports scripting through Script-Fu and Python for automation. The plugin architecture enables extensive customization.
PARAMETERS
FILES
Image files to open.-b COMMAND, --batch COMMAND
Run batch command non-interactively. May appear multiple times.--batch-interpreter PROC
Procedure to process batch commands (default: Script-Fu).-n, --new-instance
Start new instance.-i, --no-interface
Run without UI (for batch mode).--no-splash
Don't show splash screen.-d, --no-data
Don't load patterns, gradients, or brushes.-f, --no-fonts
Don't load fonts.--verbose
Show detailed startup messages.--help
Display help information.
CONFIGURATION
~/.config/GIMP/3.0/ (or ~/.config/GIMP/2.10/)
User configuration directory, versioned per major release.gimprc
Main configuration file containing preferences and tool settings.sessionrc
Session configuration storing window positions and dialog states.
INSTALL
CAVEATS
GTK application requires graphical environment. Large images can be memory-intensive. Plugin compatibility varies by version.
HISTORY
GIMP was started by Spencer Kimball and Peter Mattis in 1995 at UC Berkeley. It became a GNU project and remains one of the most popular open-source graphics applications. GIMP 3.0 was released in 2025 with GTK3 support and non-destructive editing.
SEE ALSO
imagemagick(1), inkscape(1), krita(1)
