xrdb

xrdb [options] [filename]

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.

-load

Load resources from file, replacing existing values

Merge resources from file with existing values

Display current resources

Remove all resources

Print preprocessor symbols

Specify preprocessor to use

Don't preprocess input

Specify X display

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.

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.

xset(1)