xrdb

Manage X server resource database

TLDR

Start xrdb in interactive mode

$ xrdb

Load values from a resource file

$ xrdb -load [~/.Xresources]

Query the resource database and print current values

$ xrdb -query

xrdb (X Resource DataBase) manages the X server resource database. X resources configure the appearance and behavior of X applications, including colors, fonts, and other settings.Resources are typically loaded from ~/.Xresources or ~/.Xdefaults at X session startup. The -merge option adds new resources without removing existing ones.

PARAMETERS

-load

Load resources from file, replacing existing values

-merge

Merge resources from file with existing values

-query

Display current resources

-remove

Remove all resources

-symbols

Print preprocessor symbols

-cpp _path_

Specify preprocessor to use

-nocpp

Don't preprocess input

-display _display_

Specify X display

INSTALL

sudo apt install x11-xserver-utils

sudo dnf install xrdb

sudo apk add xrdb

sudo zypper install xrdb

brew install xrdb

nix profile install nixpkgs#xrdb

CAVEATS

Changes only affect newly started applications. Use -merge to preserve existing settings when adding new ones. The file is processed by cpp by default, allowing use of #include and #define. Part of the X.Org utilities.

HISTORY

xrdb has been part of the X Window System since the early releases in the mid-1980s, providing a way to configure application appearance and behavior before modern desktop environments existed.