xsetroot

Set X root window appearance

TLDR

Set solid background color

$ xsetroot -solid [blue]

Set gray background

$ xsetroot -gray

Set background from bitmap

$ xsetroot -bitmap [pattern.xbm]

Create plaid pattern

$ xsetroot -mod [4] [4] -fg [red] -bg [white]

Set cursor by name

$ xsetroot -cursor_name [left_ptr]

Reset to defaults

$ xsetroot -def

Set root window name

$ xsetroot -name "[status text]"

xsetroot configures the appearance of the X root window (desktop background). It can set solid colors, patterns, bitmap tiles, and the root window cursor.The tool is commonly used in window manager startup scripts to set initial background appearance. Only one background option (-solid, -gray, -bitmap, or -mod) can be used at a time.The -name option sets the root window's WM_NAME property, which some window managers use for status display (e.g., dwm displays it in the status bar).For more sophisticated backgrounds, consider using tools like feh or nitrogen.

PARAMETERS

-solid color

Set background to solid color.

-gray, -grey

Set background to gray mesh pattern.

-bitmap file

Tile background with bitmap file.

-mod x y

Create plaid pattern (x, y: 1-16).

-fg, -foreground color

Foreground color for patterns.

-bg, -background color

Background color for patterns.

-rv, -reverse

Swap foreground and background colors.

-cursor font mask

Set cursor from font glyphs.

-cursor_name name

Set cursor by standard X cursor name.

-xcf file size

Set cursor from Xcursor file.

-def, -default

Reset to default settings.

-name string

Set root window name property.

-d, -display display

X server to connect to.

-help

Display help.

-version

Display version.

INSTALL

sudo apt install x11-xserver-utils

sudo dnf install xsetroot

sudo apk add xsetroot

sudo zypper install xsetroot

nix profile install nixpkgs#xsetroot

CAVEATS

Bitmap files must be in XBM format. Colors use X color names or hex values (#RRGGBB). Some compositing window managers may override root window appearance. The -name option is used by dwm for status bar text.

HISTORY

xsetroot has been part of the X Window System since early releases. It provides basic root window customization following the Unix philosophy of simple, focused tools. Many users now prefer more feature-rich tools like feh for wallpapers.