xsetroot(X)                     19 June 1992                     xsetroot(X)


 Name

    xsetroot - root window parameter setting utility for X

 Syntax

    xsetroot [-help] [-def] [-display display] [-cursor cursorfile maskfile]
    [-cursor_name cursorname] [-bitmap filename] [-mod x y] [-gray] [-grey]
    [-fg color] [-bg color] [-rv] [-solid color] [-name string]

 Description

    The setroot 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.  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/tiling 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.

    -def      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(X) program.  You probably want the mask file to be
              all black until you get used to the way masks work.

    -cursor_name cursorname
              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).

    -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(X) 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     Make the entire background gray.  (Easier on the eyes.)

    -grey     Make the entire background grey.

    -fg color Use color as the foreground color.  Foreground and background
              colors are meaningful only in combination with -cursor, -
              bitmap, or -mod.

    -bg color Use color as the background color.

    -rv       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.  Usually a name is assigned to a window so that the win-
              dow manager can use a text representation when the window is
              iconified.  This option is unused since you cannot iconify the
              background.

    -display display
              Specifies the server to connect to; see X(X)


 See also

    X(X), xset(X), xrdb(X)