XSETROOT(1) X Version 11 XSETROOT(1)
xsetroot - root window parameter setting utility for X
xsetroot -help | -version
xsetroot [-display display | -d display] [-def | -default]
[-cursor cursorfile maskfile | -cursor_name cursorfontname
-xcf cursorfile cursorsize]
[-bitmap filename | -mod x y | -gray | -grey | -solid color]
[-bg color] [-fg color] [-rv] [-name string]
The xsetroot program allows you to tailor the appearance of the
background ("root") window on a workstation display running X.
Normally, you experiment with xsetroot until you find a personalized
look that you like, then put the xsetroot command that produces it
into your X startup file. Note that some desktop environments or
window managers display their own full screen background window that
covers the root window entirely, which may prevent you from seeing
any changes made with this utility.
If no options are specified, or if -def is specified, the window is
reset to its default state. The -def option can be specified along
with other options and only the non-specified characteristics will be
reset to the default state.
Only one of the background color/pattern changing options (-solid,
-gray, -grey, -bitmap, and -mod) may be specified at a time.
The various options are as follows:
-help Print a usage message and exit.
-version
Print a version message and exit.
-def, -default
Reset unspecified attributes to the default values. (Restores
the background to the familiar gray mesh and the cursor to the
hollow x shape.)
-cursor cursorfile maskfile
This lets you change the pointer cursor to whatever you want
when the pointer cursor is outside of any window. Cursor and
mask files are bitmaps (little pictures), and can be made with
the bitmap(1) program. You probably want the mask file to be
all black until you get used to the way masks work.
-cursor_name cursorfontname
This lets you change the pointer cursor to one of the standard
cursors from the cursor font. Refer to appendix B of the X
protocol for the names (except that the XC_ prefix is elided
for this option).
-xcf cursorfile cursorsize
This lets you change the pointer cursor to one loaded from an
Xcursor file as defined by libXcursor, at the specified size.
-bitmap filename
Use the bitmap specified in the file to set the window
pattern. You can make your own bitmap files (little pictures)
using the bitmap(1) program. The entire background will be
made up of repeated "tiles" of the bitmap.
-mod x y
This is used if you want a plaid-like grid pattern on your
screen. x and y are integers ranging from 1 to 16. Try the
different combinations. Zero and negative numbers are taken
as 1.
-gray, -grey
Make the entire background gray (easier on the eyes).
-bg, -background color
Use color as the background color.
-fg, -foreground color
Use color as the foreground color. Foreground and background
colors are meaningful only in combination with -cursor,
-bitmap, or -mod.
-rv, -reverse
This exchanges the foreground and background colors. Normally
the foreground color is black and the background color is
white.
-solid color
This sets the background of the root window to the specified
color. This option is only useful on color servers.
-name string
Set the name of the root window to string. There is no
default value.
-d, -display display
Specifies the server to connect to; see X(7).
X(7), xset(1), xrdb(1), Xcursor(3)
Mark Lillibridge, MIT Project Athena
xsetroot 1.1.4 2025-04-12 XSETROOT(1)
NAME
xsetroot - root window parameter setting utility for X
SYNOPSIS
xsetroot -help | -version
xsetroot [-display display | -d display] [-def | -default]
[-cursor cursorfile maskfile | -cursor_name cursorfontname
-xcf cursorfile cursorsize]
[-bitmap filename | -mod x y | -gray | -grey | -solid color]
[-bg color] [-fg color] [-rv] [-name string]
DESCRIPTION
The xsetroot program allows you to tailor the appearance of the
background ("root") window on a workstation display running X.
Normally, you experiment with xsetroot until you find a personalized
look that you like, then put the xsetroot command that produces it
into your X startup file. Note that some desktop environments or
window managers display their own full screen background window that
covers the root window entirely, which may prevent you from seeing
any changes made with this utility.
If no options are specified, or if -def is specified, the window is
reset to its default state. The -def option can be specified along
with other options and only the non-specified characteristics will be
reset to the default state.
Only one of the background color/pattern changing options (-solid,
-gray, -grey, -bitmap, and -mod) may be specified at a time.
OPTIONS
The various options are as follows:
-help Print a usage message and exit.
-version
Print a version message and exit.
-def, -default
Reset unspecified attributes to the default values. (Restores
the background to the familiar gray mesh and the cursor to the
hollow x shape.)
-cursor cursorfile maskfile
This lets you change the pointer cursor to whatever you want
when the pointer cursor is outside of any window. Cursor and
mask files are bitmaps (little pictures), and can be made with
the bitmap(1) program. You probably want the mask file to be
all black until you get used to the way masks work.
-cursor_name cursorfontname
This lets you change the pointer cursor to one of the standard
cursors from the cursor font. Refer to appendix B of the X
protocol for the names (except that the XC_ prefix is elided
for this option).
-xcf cursorfile cursorsize
This lets you change the pointer cursor to one loaded from an
Xcursor file as defined by libXcursor, at the specified size.
-bitmap filename
Use the bitmap specified in the file to set the window
pattern. You can make your own bitmap files (little pictures)
using the bitmap(1) program. The entire background will be
made up of repeated "tiles" of the bitmap.
-mod x y
This is used if you want a plaid-like grid pattern on your
screen. x and y are integers ranging from 1 to 16. Try the
different combinations. Zero and negative numbers are taken
as 1.
-gray, -grey
Make the entire background gray (easier on the eyes).
-bg, -background color
Use color as the background color.
-fg, -foreground color
Use color as the foreground color. Foreground and background
colors are meaningful only in combination with -cursor,
-bitmap, or -mod.
-rv, -reverse
This exchanges the foreground and background colors. Normally
the foreground color is black and the background color is
white.
-solid color
This sets the background of the root window to the specified
color. This option is only useful on color servers.
-name string
Set the name of the root window to string. There is no
default value.
-d, -display display
Specifies the server to connect to; see X(7).
SEE ALSO
X(7), xset(1), xrdb(1), Xcursor(3)
AUTHOR
Mark Lillibridge, MIT Project Athena
xsetroot 1.1.4 2025-04-12 XSETROOT(1)