plasma-apply-colorscheme

List available color schemes

$ plasma-apply-colorscheme --list-schemes

$ plasma-apply-colorscheme [BreezeLight]

$ plasma-apply-colorscheme --help

plasma-apply-colorscheme [OPTIONS] <colorscheme_name>

<colorscheme_name>
    The exact name of the color scheme to apply. This name corresponds to the `.colors` or `.colorscheme` file (e.g., 'Breeze Dark', 'Breeze', 'Adwaita'). The available names can typically be found in the Plasma System Settings or in the `~/.local/share/color-schemes/` and system-wide `/usr/share/color-schemes/` directories.

--help
    Displays a brief help message with command usage and available options.

--version
    Shows version information for the `plasma-apply-colorscheme` utility.

The `plasma-apply-colorscheme` command provides a powerful command-line interface for dynamically changing the color scheme of the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It allows users and scripts to apply a named color scheme to the currently running Plasma session without needing to navigate through graphical settings.

This utility is particularly useful for scripting, automation, and quick theming adjustments. For instance, it can be integrated into custom scripts that switch themes based on time of day, external conditions, or user preference, offering a flexible way to manage the look and feel of the Plasma desktop.

When executed, the command instantly updates the colors of windows, widgets, and other Plasma elements to match the specified scheme, providing immediate visual feedback.

• This command requires a running KDE Plasma desktop session to function correctly.
• It only affects the current user's active Plasma session.
• The provided color scheme name must exactly match an available scheme, often case-sensitively.
• While the color scheme is applied immediately, the command itself does not provide an option to permanently save the setting for future sessions. However, the Plasma desktop typically saves the last applied scheme automatically upon logout or shutdown.

To find the exact names of color schemes available on your system, you can either:
1. Open KDE Plasma System Settings and navigate to Appearance -> Colors. The names listed there are the ones you can use.
2. List the contents of the color scheme directories: `ls ~/.local/share/color-schemes/` or `ls /usr/share/color-schemes/`. The file names (without the `.colors` or `.colorscheme` extension) are usually the correct names.

This command is exceptionally useful in shell scripts. For example, you could create a cron job or a custom shortcut that switches between a light and dark theme based on the time of day, or integrate it into a larger setup script for new Plasma installations to apply a consistent look.

The `plasma-apply-colorscheme` command is an integral part of the KDE Plasma desktop environment, evolving with KDE's modularization and the Plasma 5 series. It was developed to provide finer-grained control over desktop settings through the command line, aligning with KDE's philosophy of offering both powerful graphical and command-line configuration options. Its inclusion reflects the growing demand for scripting and automation capabilities within modern desktop environments.

kwriteconfig5(1), kcmshell5(1), plasma-apply-wallpaper(1), systemsettings5(1)