Control Xscreensaver with Command Line

The xscreensaver-command utility is a powerful tool for interacting with a running xscreensaver process directly from your terminal. It allows for quick control over screen locking, blanking, and other related functions, making it invaluable for scripting and automation on Linux systems.

Locking Your Screen

The most common use case for xscreensaver-command is to lock your screen immediately. This is essential for security when stepping away from your computer. The command to achieve this is straightforward:

# Lock the screen immediately
xscreensaver-command -lock

Executing this command will activate the screensaver and require your password to unlock, ensuring your session is protected.

Other Xscreensaver Commands

While locking the screen is a primary function, xscreensaver-command offers other options:

• xscreensaver-command -deactivate: Attempts to deactivate the screensaver (e.g., if it was triggered accidentally).
• xscreensaver-command -exit: Exits the xscreensaver daemon.
• xscreensaver-command -restart: Restarts the xscreensaver daemon.
• xscreensaver-command -demo: Starts the screensaver in demo mode.

Integrating with Scripts

The ability to control xscreensaver via the command line makes it easy to integrate into shell scripts. For instance, you might want to automatically lock your screen after a specific task completes or as part of a shutdown script. The -lock option is perfect for such scenarios.

Security Best Practices

Always ensure your system is configured with a strong password for unlocking the screen. Using xscreensaver-command -lock is a proactive step towards maintaining the security of your data when your workstation is unattended.

For more detailed information on xscreensaver and its configuration, refer to the official documentation or consult resources like the XScreenSaver project page.