hsetroot

sets the X11 root window background

TLDR

Set solid color background

$ hsetroot -solid "[#1a1b26]"

Set wallpaper (fill)

$ hsetroot -fill [wallpaper.jpg]

Set wallpaper (center)

$ hsetroot -center [wallpaper.png]

Set wallpaper (tile)

$ hsetroot -tile [pattern.png]

Set gradient

$ hsetroot -add "[#1a1b26]" -add "[#24283b]" -gradient [0]

Set with cover mode

$ hsetroot -cover [wallpaper.jpg]

hsetroot sets the X11 root window background. It's commonly used with minimal window managers that don't include wallpaper functionality, like dwm, bspwm, or i3.
The tool supports solid colors, images with various scaling modes, and gradients. It's lightweight and scriptable.

PARAMETERS

-solid color

Solid color background.

-fill image

Scale to fill screen.

-center image

Center image.

-tile image

Tile image.

-cover image

Cover screen, preserve aspect.

-add color

Add color to gradient.

-gradient angle

Create gradient at angle.

-screens n

Apply to n screens.

-brightness value

Adjust brightness.

-contrast value

Adjust contrast.

Gradient background

hsetroot -add "#1a1b26" -add "#24283b" -gradient 45

Fill with brightness adjustment

hsetroot -fill wallpaper.jpg -brightness -0.1

Center on transparent background

hsetroot -solid "#000000" -center logo.png

$
# CAVEATS

X11 only; doesn't work with Wayland. Some compositors may override. Requires Imlib2. Color formats: #RRGGBB or names.

# HISTORY

hsetroot is a fork/rewrite of various root background setters. It's commonly used in the minimal/tiling window manager community where dedicated wallpaper handling is needed.

# SEE ALSO

feh(1), nitrogen(1), xwallpaper(1), xsetroot(1)