wmctrl -s
can be used to switch between virtual desktops. Is there a command that shows the desktop? that is a command that will switch between minimizing all windows and restoring them?
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I don't think so. I want a command that does it without sending key combinations artificially. Because that depends on the key combination which may be different or not set in KDE environment (not unity as tagged there). such a command may work in every environment (=why I did not mention explicitly KDE environment). But for me KDE is enough.– Minimus HeximusJan 3, 2014 at 3:54
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@MinimusHeximus: have you checked the other answers on that question?– Andrea CorbelliniJan 3, 2014 at 17:55
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@AndreaCorbellini: Note two answers there are added after my question. Still answers here are richer. And note this question is about plasma and not unity. btw, this question is now done with. no matter closed or open.– Minimus HeximusJan 3, 2014 at 18:37
2 Answers
To show the desktop the command:
wmctrl -k on
To turn it off use
wmctrl -k off
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btw,
on
andoff
dashes the hope of simulating KDE show desktop widget which has a toggling nature. Jan 3, 2014 at 4:14 -
strangely, if you execute the command in yakuake then show yakuake all windows are restored... Jan 3, 2014 at 4:17
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well I intend to attach a hotkey to it which will run the command. So there will be no terminal. About if statement, I'm not sure how to check the condition. well I may write a C++ code which will save the status in a file and on re-execution will read the file to check the status. Not worth the candle. Jan 3, 2014 at 4:28
This is an adaptation of virtualxtc's answer with support for toggling.
#!/bin/bash
current_mode="$(wmctrl -m | grep 'showing the desktop')"
if [[ "${current_mode##* }" == ON ]]; then
wmctrl -k off
else
wmctrl -k on
fi
To use, save the above into a file, then mark it executable.
Explanation of above code
#!/bin/bash
This is a shebang comment.
current_mode="$(wmctrl -m | grep 'showing the desktop')"
This captures the output of wmctrl -m
piped through grep 'showing the desktop'
into the variable $current_mode
.
if [[ "${current_mode##* }" == ON ]]; then
wmctrl -k off
else
wmctrl -k on
fi
An if...else...
statement in Bash. ${current_mode##* }
returns $current_mode
with the longest match of anything up until a space deleted from the front of the string. If this returns ON
, turns desktop off; else turns desktop on.
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I tested it but it always minimizes, and does not restore. Maybe
wmctrl -k off
is not working well or[[ "$current_mode" == ON ]]
is incompatible with it. Jan 3, 2014 at 4:39 -
@MinimusHeximus The issue might be that it isn't being run with Bash and is instead run with
sh
. See my edits.– kiriJan 3, 2014 at 4:42 -
@minerz029 sweet! can you point me to an explanation of the ##* part? I'm assuming it causes it to read the last work after the grepped line or something.... Jan 3, 2014 at 5:00
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1
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Thanks! I didn't recognize that the space inside the bracket is nessesary until I reviewed the examples in your link. Jan 3, 2014 at 5:19