rofi/doc/rofi-manpage.markdown

# ROFI 1 rofi

## NAME

**rofi** - A window switcher, run launcher, ssh dialog and dmenu replacement

## SYNOPSIS

**rofi**
[ -width *pct_scr* ]
[ -lines *lines* ]
[ -columns *columns* ]
[ -font *pangofont* ]
[ -fg *color* ]
[ -fg-urgent *color* ]
[ -fg-active *color* ]
[ -bg-urgent *color* ]
[ -bg-active *color* ]
[ -bg *color* ]
[ -bgalt *color* ]
[ -hlfg *color* ]
[ -hlbg *color* ]
[ -key-**mode** *combo* ]
[ -terminal *terminal* ]
[ -location *position* ]
[ -fixed-num-lines ]
[ -padding *padding* ]
[ -opacity *opacity%* ]
[ -display *display* ]
[ -bc *color* ]
[ -bw *width* ]
[ -dmenu [ -p *prompt* ] [ -sep *separator* ] [ -l *selected line* ] [ -mesg ] [ -select ] [ -input *input* ] ]
[ -filter *filter* ]
[ -ssh-client *client* ]
[ -ssh-command *command* ]
[ -disable-history ]
[ -levenshtein-sort ]
[ -case-sensitive ]
[ -show *mode* ]
[ -modi *mode1,mode2* ]
[ -eh *element height* ]
[ -lazy-filter-limit *limit* ]
[ -e *message*]
[ -a *row* ]
[ -u *row* ]
[ -pid *path* ]
[ -now ]
[ -rnow ]
[ -snow ]
[ -version ]
[ -help ]
[ -dump-xresources ]
[ -dump-xresources-theme ]
[ -auto-select ]
[ -parse-hosts ]
[ -no-parse-known-hosts ]
[ -combi-modi *mode1,mode2* ]
[ -normal-window ]
[ -fake-transparency ]
[ -quiet ]
[ -glob  ]
[ -regex ]
[ -tokenize ]
[ -threads *num* ]
[ -config *filename* ]

## DESCRIPTION

**rofi** is an X11 popup window switcher, run dialog, dmenu replacement and more. It focuses on
being fast to use and have minimal distraction. It supports keyboard and mouse navigation, type to
filter, tokenized search and more.


## USAGE

**rofi** can be used in three ways, single-shot; executes once and directly exits when done, as a
daemon listening to specific key-combination or emulating dmenu.

### Single-shot mode

To launch **rofi** directly in a certain mode, specify a mode with `rofi -show <mode>`.
To show the run dialog:

    rofi -show run

### Daemon mode

To launch **rofi** in daemon mode don't specify any mode, instead keys can be bound
to launch a certain mode. To show run-mode by pressing `F2` start **rofi** like this:

    rofi -key-run F2

Keybindings can also be specified in the `Xresources` file.

### Emulating dmenu

**rofi** can emulate `dmenu` (a dynamic menu for X) when launched with the `-dmenu` flag.

The official website for `dmenu` can be found [here](http://tools.suckless.org/dmenu/).

## OPTIONS

There are currently four methods of setting configuration options (evaluated in order below):

 * Compile time: edit config.c. This method is strongly discouraged.
 * Xresources: A method of storing key values in the Xserver. See
   [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_resources) for more information.
   This is the recommended way of configuring **rofi**.
 * Configuration File: This uses the same format as the Xresources file.
   By default it looks in `XDG_USER_CONFIG_DIR`/rofi/config, but can be overriden on commandline.
 * Command-line options: Arguments passed to **rofi**.

The Xresources file expects options starting with `rofi.` followed by it's name. An Example to set the number of lines:

    rofi.lines: 10

Command line options override settings from Xresources file. The same option set as argument:
prefixed with a '-':

    rofi -lines 10

To get a list of available options, formatted as Xresources entries run:

    rofi -dump-xresources

The configuration system supports the following types:

 * String
 * Integer (signed and unsigned)
 * Char
 * Boolean

Boolean options have a non-default command-line syntax. Example to enable option X:

    -X

to disable it:

    -no-X

Below is a list of the most important options:

### General

`-help`

The help option shows the full list of commandline options and the current set value.

`-dump-xresources`

Dump the current active configuration in Xresources format to the command-line.
This does not validate all passed values (e.g. colors).

`-dump-xresources-theme`

Dump the current color schme in Xresources format to the command-line.

`-key-{mode}` **KEY**

  Set the key combination to display a {mode} in daemon mode.

    rofi -key-run F12
    rofi -key-ssh control+shift+s
    rofi -key-window SuperL+Tab

`-threads` *num*

Specify the number of threads **rofi** should use:

  * 0: Autodetect the number of supported hardware threads.
  * 1: Disable threading
  * 2..N: Specify the maximum number of threads to use in the thread pool.

`-dmenu`

Run **rofi** in dmenu mode. This allows for interactive scripts.
In `dmenu` mode, **rofi** reads from STDIN, and output to STDOUT.
A simple example, displaying 3 pre-defined options:

    echo -e "Option #1\nOption #2\nOption #3" | rofi -dmenu

Or get the options from a script:

    ~/my_script.sh | rofi -dmenu

Pressing `shift-enter` sends the selected entry to STDOUT and moves to the next entry.

`-show` *mode*

Open **rofi** in a certain mode. Available modes are `window`, `run`, `ssh`
To show the run-dialog:

    rofi -show run

`-modi` *mode1,mode1*

Specify a ordered, comma separated list of modes to enable.
Enabled modes can be changed at runtime. Default key is Ctrl+Tab.
If no modes are specified all modes will be enabled.
To only show the run and ssh launcher:

    rofi -modi "run,ssh" -show run

Custom modes can be added using the internal 'script' mode. Each mode has two parameters:

    <name>:<script>

Example: Have a mode 'Workspaces' using the `i3_switch_workspace.sh` script:

    rofi -modi "window,run,ssh,Workspaces:i3_switch_workspaces.sh" -show Workspaces

`-case-sensitive`

Start in case sensitive mode.

`-quiet`

Do not print any message when starting in daemon mode.

`-fuzzy`

Enable experimental fuzzy matching.

`-filter` *filter*

Filter the list by setting text in input bar to *filter*

`-config` *filename*

Load alternative configuration file.


### Theming

All colors are either hex #rrggbb values or X11 color names.
`-bg`

`-bg-active`

`-bg-urgent`

Set background color in menu.

    rofi -bg "#222222"

Default: *#f2f1f0*

`-bgalt`

Set background color for alternating rows in menu.

    rofi -bgalt "#222222"

Default: *#f2f1f0*

`-bc`

Set border color for menu.

    rofi -bc black

Default: *black*

`-bw`

Set border width in pixels.

    rofi -bw 1

Default: *1*

`-fg`

`-fg-urgent`

`-fg-active`

Set foreground text color for the menu.

    rofi -fg "#cccccc"

Default: *#222222*


`-hlbg`

`-hlbg-active`

`-hlbg-urgent`

Set background color for the highlighted item in the menu.

    rofi -hlbg "#005577"

Default: *#005577*

`-hlfg`

`-hlfg-active`

`-hlfg-urgent`

Set foreground text color for the highlighted item in the menu.

    rofi -hlfg "#ffffff"

Default: *#FFFFFF*

`-font`

Specify a font. Pango syntax is used.

    rofi -font "Dejavu Sans Mono 14"

Default: *mono 12*

`-opacity`

Set window opacity (0-100).

    rofi -opacity "75"

Default: *100*

`-eh` *element height*

The height of a field in lines. e.g.

    echo -e "a\n3|b\n4|c\n5" | rofi -sep '|' -eh 2 -dmenu

Default: *1*

The following options are further explained in the theming section:

`-color-enabled`

Enable the exteneded coloring options.

`-color-window` *background* *border color* *separator color */

Set window background, border and separator color.

`-color-normal` *background, foreground, background alt, highlight background, highlight foreground*

`-color-urgent` *background, foreground, background alt, highlight background, highlight foreground*

`-color-active` *background, foreground, background alt, highlight background, highlight foreground*

Specify the colors used in a row per state (normal, active, urgent).

`-line-margin`

Set the spacing between the rows.

    Default: *3*
    Min:     *3*
    Max:     *50*

`-separator-style` *style*

Set separator style. Possible options are "none", "solid" or "dash".

    Default: *dash*

`-hide-scrollbar`

Hide the scrollbar.

`-scrollbar-width` *width*

Set the scrollbar width.

`-glob`

Use glob style matching
*Warning this option might be slow on large lists*

`-regex`

Use regex matching

`-tokenize`

Tokenize the input.

### Layout

`-lines`

Maximum number of lines to show before scrolling.

    rofi -lines 25

Default: *15*

`-columns`

Number of columns to show before scrolling.

    rofi -columns 2

Default: *1*

`-width` [value]

Set width of menu. `[value]` is specified in percentage.

    rofi -width 60

If `[value]` is larger then 100, size is set in pixels. Example to span a full hd monitor:

    rofi -width 1920

If `[value]` is negative, it tries to estimates a character width. To show 30 characters on a row:

    rofi -width -30

Character width is a rough estimation, and might not be correct, but should work for most monospaced fonts.

Default: *50*

`-location`

Specify where the window should be located. The numbers map to the following locations on screen:

      1 2 3
      8 0 4
      7 6 5

Default: *0*

`-fixed-num-lines`

Keep a fixed number of visible lines (See the `-lines` option.)

`-padding`

Define the inner margin of the window.

Default: *5*

`-fullscreen`

Use the full screen height and width.

`-sidebar-mode`

Open in sidebar-mode. In this mode a list of all enabled modes is shown at the bottom.
(See `-modi` option)
To show sidebar use:

    rofi -show run -sidebar-mode -lines 0

`-lazy-filter-limit` *limit*

The number of entries required for **rofi** to go into lazy filter mode.
In lazy filter mode, it won't re-filter the list on each keypress, but only after **rofi** been
idle for 250ms. Experiments shows that the default (5000 lines) works well, set to 0 to always
enable.

Default: *5000*

`-auto-select`

When one entry is left, automatically select it.

`-m` *num*
`-monitor` *num*

Select (Xinerama) monitor to display **rofi** on. The special number -1 denotes the currently focused monitor, the number -2 denotes the currently focused window (i.e. rofi will be displayed on top of the focused window).

    Default: *-1*

### PATTERN setting

`-terminal`

Specify what terminal to start.

    rofi -terminal xterm

Pattern: *{terminal}*
Default: *x-terminal-emulator*

`-ssh-client` *client*

Override the used ssh client.

Pattern: *{ssh-client}*
Default: *ssh*


### SSH settings

`-ssh-command` *cmd*

Set the command to execute when starting a ssh session.
The pattern *{host}* is replaced by the selected ssh entry.

Default: *{terminal} -e {ssh-client} {host}*

`-parse-hosts`

Parse the `/etc/hosts` file for entries.

Default: *disabled*

`-parse-known-hosts`
`-no-parse-known-hosts`

Parse the `~/.ssh/known_hosts` file for entries.

Default: *enabled*

### Run settings

`-run-command` *cmd*

Set command (*{cmd}*) to execute when running an application.
See *PATTERN*.

Default: *{cmd}*

`-run-shell-command` *cmd*

Set command to execute when running an application in a shell.
See *PATTERN*.

Default: *{terminal} -e {cmd}*

`-run-list-command` *cmd*

If set, use an external tool to generate list of executable commands. Uses 'run-command'

Default: *""*

### Combi settings

`-combi-modi` *mode1,mode2*

The modi to combine in combi mode.
For syntax to see `-modi`.
To get one merge view, of window,run,ssh:

    rofi -show combi -combi-modi "window,run,ssh"

### History and Sorting

`-disable-history`
`-no-disable-history` (re-enable history)

Disable history

`-levenshtein-sort` to enable
`-no-levenshtein-sort` to disable

When searching sort the result based on levenshtein distance.

### Dmenu specific

`-sep` *separator*

Separator for dmenu. Example: To show list 'a' to 'e' with '|' as separator:

    echo "a|b|c|d|e" | rofi -sep '|' -dmenu

`-p` *prompt*

Specify the prompt to show in dmenu mode. E.g. select monkey a,b,c,d or e.

    echo "a|b|c|d|e" | rofi -sep '|' -dmenu -p "monkey:"

Default: *dmenu*

`-selected-row` *selected row*

Select a certain row.

Default: *0*

`-l` *number of lines to show*

Maximum number of lines the menu may show before scrolling.

    rofi -lines 25

Default: *15*

`-i`

Makes dmenu searches case-insensitive

`-a` *X*

Active row, mark row X as active. (starting at 0)
You can specify single element: -a 3
A range: -a 3-8
or a set of rows: -a 0,2
or any combination: -a 0,2-3,9

`-u` *X*

Urgent row, mark row X as urgent. (starting at 0)
You can specify single element: -u 3
A range: -u 3-8
or a set of rows: -u 0,2
or any combination: -u 0,2-3,9

`-only-match`

Only return a selected item, do not allow custom entry.
This mode always returns an entry, or returns directly when no entries given.

`-no-custom`

Only return a selected item, do not allow custom entry.
This mode returns directly when no entries given.

`-format` *format*

Allows the output of dmenu to be customized (N is total number of input entries):

  * 's' selected string.
  * 'i' index (0 - (N-1)).
  * 'd' index (1 - N).
  * 'q' quote string.
  * 'f' filter string (user input).
  * 'F' quoted filter string (user input).

Default: 's'

`-select` *string*

Select first line that matches the given string

`-mesg` *string*

Add a message line below the filter entry box. Supports pango markup.
For more information on supported markup see [here](https://developer.gnome.org/pango/stable/PangoMarkupFormat.html)

`-normal-window`

Make **rofi** reacts like a normal application window. Useful for scripts like Clerk that are basically an application.

`-dump`

Dump the filtered list to stdout and quit.
This can be used to get the list as **rofi** would filter it.
Use together with `-filter` command. 

`-input` *file*

Reads from *file* instead of stdin.

`-password`

Hide the input text. This should not be considered secure!


### Message dialog

`-e` *message*

Popup a message dialog (used internally for showing errors) with *message*.
Message can be multi-line.

### Other

'-pid' *path*

Make **rofi** create a pid file and check this on startup. Avoiding multiple copies running
simultaneously. This is useful when running **rofi** from a keybinding daemon.

`-fake-transparency`

Enable fake transparency. This only works with transparent background color in the theme, not the opacity setting.

### Debug


`-no-config`

Disable parsing of configuration. This runs rofi in *stock* mode.

## PATTERN

To launch commands (e.g. when using the ssh launcher) the user can enter the used command-line,
the following keys can be used that will be replaced at runtime:

  * `{host}`: The host to connect to.
  * `{terminal}`: The configured terminal (See -terminal-emulator)
  * `{ssh-client}`: The configured ssh client (See -ssh-client)
  * `{cmd}`: The command to execute.

## DMENU REPLACEMENT

If `argv[0]` (calling command) is dmenu, **rofi** will start in dmenu mode.
This way it can be used as a drop-in replacement for dmenu. just copy or symlink **rofi** to dmenu in `$PATH`.

    ln -s /usr/bin/rofi /usr/bin/dmenu

## SIGNALS

`HUP`

If in daemon mode, reload the configuration from Xresources. (commandline arguments still -override
Xresources). This will also reload configured key-bindings.

`INT`

If in daemon mode, quits **rofi**.

`USR1`

If in daemon mode, dumps the current configuration to stdout. Similar to `-xresources-dump`

## THEMING

With **rofi** 0.15.4 we have a new way of specifying colors, the old settings still apply (for now).
To enable the new setup, set `rofi.color-enabled` to true. The new setup allows you to specify
colors per state, similar to **i3**
Currently 3 states exists:

  * **normal** Normal row.
  * **urgent** Highlighted row (urgent)
  * **active** Highlighted row (active)

For each state the following 5 colors must be set:

  * **bg** Background color row
  * **fg** Text color
  * **bgalt** Background color alternating row
  * **hlfg** Foreground color selected row
  * **hlbg** Background color selected row

The window background and border color should be specified separate. The key `color-window` contains
a pair `background,border`.
An example for `Xresources` file:

    ! State:           'bg',     'fg',     'bgalt',  'hlbg',   'hlfg'
    rofi.color-normal: #fdf6e3,  #002b36,  #eee8d5,  #586e75,  #eee8d5
    rofi.color-urgent: #fdf6e3,  #dc322f,  #eee8d5,  #dc322f,  #fdf6e3
    rofi.color-active: #fdf6e3,  #268bd2,  #eee8d5,  #268bd2,  #fdf6e3

    !                  'background', 'border'
    rofi.color-window: #fdf6e3,      #002b36

Same settings can also be specified on command-line:

    rofi -color-normal "#fdf6e3,#002b36,#eee8d5,#586e75,#eee8d5"

## COLORS

Rofi has an experimental mode for a 'nicer' transparency. The idea is to make the
background of the window transparent, leaving the text opaque.
There are 2 requirements for this feature: 1. Your Xserver supports TrueColor, 2. You are running a
composite manager. If this is satisfied you can use the following format for colors:

    argb:FF444444

The first two fields specify the alpha level. This determines the amount of transparency.
(00 everything, FF nothing). The other fields represent the actual color, in hex.

## KEYBINDINGS

**rofi** has the following key-bindings:

  * `Ctrl-v, Insert`: Paste clipboard
  * `Ctrl-Shift-v, Shift-Insert`: Paste primary selection
  * `Ctrl-u`: Clear the line
  * `Ctrl-a`: Beginning of line
  * `Ctrl-e`: End of line
  * `Ctrl-f, Right`: Forward one character
  * `Alt-f`: Forward one word
  * `Ctrl-b, Left`: Back one character
  * `Alt-b`: Back one word
  * `Ctrl-d, Delete`: Delete character
  * `Ctrl-Alt-d`: Delete word
  * `Ctrl-h, Backspace`: Backspace (delete previous character)
  * `Ctrl-Alt-h`: Delete previous word
  * `Ctrl-j,Ctrl-m,Enter`: Accept entry
  * `Ctrl-n,Down`: Select next entry
  * `Ctrl-p,Up`: Select previous entry
  * `Page Up`: Go to the previous page
  * `Page Down`: Go to the next page
  * `Ctrl-Page Up`: Go to the previous column
  * `Ctrl-Page Down`: Go to the next column
  * `Ctrl-Enter`: Use entered text as command (in ssh/run modi)
  * `Shift-Enter`: Launch the application in a terminal (in run mode)
  * `Shift-Enter`: Return the selected entry and move to the next item while keeping Rofi open. (in dmenu)
  * `Shift-Right`: Switch to the next modi. The list can be customized with the `-switchers` argument.
  * `Shift-Left`: Switch to the previous modi. The list can be customized with the `-switchers` argument.
  * `Ctrl-Tab`: Switch to the next modi. The list can be customized with the `-switchers` argument.
  * `Ctrl-Shift-Tab`: Switch to the previous modi. The list can be customized with the `-switchers` argument.
  * `Ctrl-space`: Set selected item as input text.
  * `Shift-Del`: Delete entry from history.
  * `grave`: Toggle case sensitivity.
  * `Alt-grave`: Toggle levenshtein sorting.
  * `Alt-Shift-S`: Take a screenshot and store this in the Pictures directory.

To get a full list of keybindings, see `rofi -dump-xresources | grep kb-`.
Keybindings can be modified using the configuration systems.

## Available Modi

### Window

Show a list of all the windows and allow switching between them.

### WindowCD

Shows a list of the windows on the current desktop and allows switching between them.

### Run

Shows a list of executables in **$PATH** and can launch them (optional in a terminal).

### DRun

Same as the **run** launches, but the list is created from the installed desktop files. It automatically launches them
in a terminal if specified in the Desktop File.

### SSH

Shows a list of SSH targets based on your ssh config file, and allows to quickly ssh into them.

### Script

Allows custom scripted Modi to be added. 

## FAQ

`Text in window switcher is not nicely lined out`

    Try using a mono-space font.

**rofi** is completely black.

    Check quotes used on the commandline: e.g. used “ instead of ".

**rofi** what does the icon in the top right show?

    - Case sensitivity enabled
    + Sorting enabled
    ± Sorting and Case sensitivity enabled"

## LICENSE

    MIT/X11

    Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
    a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
    "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
    without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
    distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to
    permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to
    the following conditions:

    The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
    included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.

    THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
    OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
    MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
    IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
    CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT,
    TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
    SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

## WEBSITE

**rofi** website can be found at [here](https://davedavenport.github.io/rofi/)

**rofi** bugtracker can be found [here](https://github.com/DaveDavenport/rofi/issues)

## AUTHOR

Qball Cow <qball@gmpclient.org>

Rasmus Steinke <rasi@xssn.at>

Original code based on work by: Sean Pringle <sean.pringle@gmail.com>

For a full list of authors, check the AUTHORS file.