xscreensaver-command

Control running xscreensaver daemon

TLDR

Activate screensaver immediately

$ xscreensaver-command -activate

Lock screen

$ xscreensaver-command -lock

Deactivate screensaver

$ xscreensaver-command -deactivate

Restart screensaver daemon

$ xscreensaver-command -restart

Exit screensaver daemon

$ xscreensaver-command -exit

Show current status

$ xscreensaver-command -time

Watch for state changes

$ xscreensaver-command -watch

xscreensaver-command controls a running xscreensaver daemon by sending client messages. It can activate, deactivate, or lock the screen, cycle through display modes, and query status.The -watch option streams state changes, useful for scripts that need to react to screensaver events. The -deactivate option can be called periodically to prevent screen blanking during video playback.Configuration is done through xscreensaver-settings, which writes preferences to ~/.xscreensaver.

PARAMETERS

-activate

Blank screen immediately.

-deactivate

Simulate user activity; unblank screen.

-lock

Lock screen immediately.

-cycle

Switch to next screensaver hack.

-next / -prev

Switch to next/previous hack.

-select n

Switch to hack number n.

-restart

Restart the daemon with same arguments.

-exit

Exit daemon (fails if locked).

-time

Show last activation/deactivation time.

-watch

Print state changes continuously.

-version

Print the version of the running xscreensaver daemon.

-quiet

Print output only if an error occurs.

-verbose

Print verbose output (default).

INSTALL

sudo apt install xscreensaver

sudo dnf install xscreensaver

sudo pacman -S xscreensaver

sudo apk add xscreensaver

sudo zypper install xscreensaver

nix profile install nixpkgs#xscreensaver

CAVEATS

Requires xscreensaver daemon running. Never use kill -9 while screensaver is active. The -exit command fails if screen is locked. X11 only.

HISTORY

xscreensaver was created by Jamie Zawinski in 1992 and has been the most popular X11 screensaver framework for decades. The modular design separates the daemon, display hacks, and control interface, allowing extensive customization and third-party hack development.