krfb-virtualmonitor

Create a virtual monitor

$ krfb-virtualmonitor --resolution [1920]x[1080] --name [monitor_name] --password [password] --port [5900]

krfb-virtualmonitor [--help | --version] <command> [<args>]

commands: list | add <geometry> | remove <id>

--help
    Display usage information and exit

--version
    Display version information and exit

list
    List all configured virtual monitors with IDs and geometries

add WIDTHxHEIGHT[+X+Y]
    Add new virtual monitor; geometry format like 1920x1080+0+0 (X/Y optional)

remove ID
    Remove virtual monitor by its numeric ID from list output

krfb-virtualmonitor is a command-line utility for KDE Plasma's KRFB (KDE Remote Framebuffer) VNC server. It enables dynamic management of virtual monitors, allowing users to add, remove, or list additional virtual displays beyond physical screens. This feature is particularly useful for remote desktop sessions where VNC clients need access to an extended desktop layout.

In KDE Plasma on Wayland, KWin supports virtual monitors, and KRFB leverages this to stream multiple screens. Users can create virtual displays with specific geometries (widthxheight[+x+y]) for flexible remote viewing. For example, add a secondary virtual screen positioned to the right of the primary.

The tool interacts with the running KRFB instance and KWin session, updating the VNC output in real-time. It's essential for multi-monitor emulation in VNC without physical hardware. Run it from a terminal while KRFB is active.

Requires running KRFB and KWin on Wayland; ineffective on X11. Changes apply only to current session and VNC stream. No persistence across reboots.

krfb-virtualmonitor list
krfb-virtualmonitor add 1920x1080+1920+0
krfb-virtualmonitor remove 1

WIDTHxHEIGHT[+X+Y]: WIDTH/HEIGHT required (pixels); +X+Y optional offset from primary monitor (defaults to auto-placement).

Introduced in KDE Plasma 5.20 (2020) with KWin virtual monitor support on Wayland. Enhanced in Plasma 6 for better VNC integration and geometry handling.

krfb(1), kwin_wayland(1), plasma-workspace-wayland(1)