imv

View multiple images

$ imv [path/to/image1.ext path/to/image2.ext ...]

$ imv -f [path/to/image.ext]

$ imv -r --slideshow [path/to/directory]

$ find . -type f -name "[*.svg]" | imv

$ imv -t 10 [path/to/directory]

$ curl -Osw '%{filename_effective}\n' '[http://www.example.com/[1-10].jpg]' | imv

imv [options] [file...]

-b, --background
    Sets the viewer's background color. Accepts hex codes like #RRGGBB or #AARRGGBB.

-d, --display
    Specifies the Wayland display ID to use, if applicable.

-f, --fullscreen
    Starts the viewer immediately in fullscreen mode.

-r, --recursive
    When opening directories, recursively scans subdirectories for images.

-s, --scale
    Sets the initial image scaling mode. Modes include: fit, fill, stretch, center, and actual (1:1 pixel mapping).

-v, --version
    Prints the imv version information and then exits.

-h, --help
    Displays a help message detailing command options and then exits.

file...
    One or more image files or directories to open. If a directory is specified, all supported images within it are loaded.

imv is a highly efficient and minimalistic command-line image viewer, particularly well-suited for users of tiling window managers and those who prioritize speed. It leverages the imlib2 library for rapid image loading and rendering, ensuring immediate feedback and low latency when browsing through a collection of images. imv supports a wide array of common image formats, making it versatile for various use cases.

Its core design philosophy centers on simplicity and responsiveness, providing a clean interface focused solely on image display without extraneous graphical elements. Navigation and control are primarily keyboard-driven, allowing for quick and seamless browsing of images within a specified directory or list of files. This design makes imv an excellent choice for quickly reviewing photos or graphics without the overhead of more feature-rich graphical applications. It aims to be unobtrusive and highly performant, distinguishing itself by its lean resource usage and fluid user experience, especially on modern Wayland compositors.

Being minimalistic, imv lacks advanced GUI features like menus, toolbars, or built-in image manipulation tools. It is primarily keyboard-driven, which might require a learning curve for new users unfamiliar with its keybindings. Its performance and supported image formats are dependent on the capabilities of the underlying imlib2 library.

imv is primarily controlled via keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation and interaction:
j / k or Right / Left arrow: Navigate to the next/previous image.
q: Quit the viewer.
f: Toggle fullscreen mode.
r: Rotate the current image clockwise.
+ / -: Zoom in/out on the image.
g: Go to the first image in the list.
G: Go to the last image in the list.
d: Delete the current image (requires confirmation).
h: Toggle the help overlay, showing available keybindings.

Users can customize imv's behavior through a configuration file, typically located at ~/.config/imv/config or ~/.config/imv/imvrc. This file allows for the modification of default settings, such as scaling mode, and the remapping of keybindings to suit individual preferences.

A significant design goal for imv was to ensure robust compatibility with Wayland compositors, making it a modern choice for users running Wayland-based desktop environments. This focus on Wayland integration contributes to its responsive and smooth performance, providing a native feel on contemporary Linux systems.

imv was developed to be a fast, modern image viewer, offering an alternative to existing tools like feh or sxiv, with a specific focus on low latency and robust Wayland compatibility. Its development prioritizes speed and a minimal footprint, making it a popular choice among users who prefer highly responsive applications, especially within tiling window manager environments. It leverages the efficient imlib2 library for its core image rendering capabilities.

feh(1), sxiv(1), qiv(1), eog(1), display(1)