i3 FAQ - Individual question feed

i3 FAQ - Individual question feedhttps://faq.i3wm.org/questions/Frequently asked questions and answers about the i3 window managerenCopyright i3, 2012Tue, 22 Sep 2015 18:33:43 +0000Run a command with i3-nagbar , that has apostrophes in it..https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. `i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' ` edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? `bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"` edit 2: I've tried to use `"` for the directory used for scrot and `\'` both doesn't seem to work for me.Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:04:20 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/Comment by Airblader for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6615#comment-6615See the answer I posted. Put that in your i3 config and press $mod+Shift+s (of course you may want to use different bindings).Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:46:52 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6615#comment-6615Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6613#comment-6613How could I use i3bar in this case?Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:17:24 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6613#comment-6613Comment by Airblader for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6606#comment-6606I meant use a binding mode (not a binding) to choose whether the active window or selection should be used. Then it would integrate into i3bar and not launch i3-nagbar, which is a fairly ugly tool we only use for errors.Thu, 17 Sep 2015 21:16:20 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6606#comment-6606Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6605#comment-6605I am planning to bind Shift + Printscreen for this.. I'll try to use the double quotes, thank you!Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:20:57 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6605#comment-6605Comment by Airblader for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6604#comment-6604Also, feel free to use i3-nagbar for this, but using a binding mode might be a bit more "friendly".Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:15:44 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6604#comment-6604Comment by Airblader for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6603#comment-6603Why not just use double quotes to quote the command and single quotes to quote the command inside?Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:14:51 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6603#comment-6603Answer by a_flamethrowing_duck for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?answer=6658#post-id-6658I've been trying to get the suggestion by Airblader to work for me, as well as I tried with my initial intention.. I've come to the conclusion that I don't even need the apostrophes in `scrot`.. but it still won't work. The active window screenshot works fine, just the selection won't. set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png bindsym a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d.%m.%Y_$wx$h.png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" Tue, 22 Sep 2015 13:37:14 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?answer=6658#post-id-6658Comment by Airblader for I've been trying to get the suggestion by Airblader to work for me, as well as I tried with my initial intention.. I've come to the conclusion that I don't even need the apostrophes in <code>scrot</code>.. but it still won't work. The active window screenshot works fine, just the selection won't. <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png bindsym a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d.%m.%Y_$wx$h.png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6663#comment-6663I have fixed my answer.Tue, 22 Sep 2015 18:33:32 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6663#comment-6663Answer by Airblader for If I were to run a command with i3-nagbar, that contains apostrophes itself, how would I validate those apostrophes? e.g. <code>i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 's crot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''</code> edit: For instance I were to use bindsym to run i3-nagbar, which will then run a command that requires quoting again (example below). Can I validate the apostrophes with a backslash? <code>bindsym Shift+Print exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Selection or active window (4 sec. delay)' -b 'selection' 'scrot -s \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\'' -b 'active window' 'scrot -u -d 4 \'/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png\''"</code> edit 2: I've tried to use <code>"</code> for the directory used for scrot and <code>\'</code> both doesn't seem to work for me. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?answer=6614#post-id-6614Since this doesn't fit into a comment: set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot"Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:46:27 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?answer=6614#post-id-6614Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6620#comment-6620looks really good, but doesn't seem to work for me. The question pops up but on selection of either `s` or `a` nothing happens..Fri, 18 Sep 2015 19:05:27 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6620#comment-6620Comment by Airblader for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6624#comment-6624@a_flamethrowing_duck Does the target folder exist?Fri, 18 Sep 2015 20:45:41 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6624#comment-6624Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6629#comment-6629I've tried the scrot commands by themselves to test if they work and they do..Sat, 19 Sep 2015 10:24:46 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6629#comment-6629Comment by Airblader for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6631#comment-6631If the folder exists, this works fine for me. Can you provide a log file please?Sat, 19 Sep 2015 14:32:10 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6631#comment-6631Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6635#comment-6635the only problem i seem to have is with the `date` command.. The active window seems to work, but the selection doesn't. I'll try to work that out.. will report if I have a solutionSat, 19 Sep 2015 18:15:00 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6635#comment-6635Comment by a_flamethrowing_duck for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6636#comment-6636`scrot -s '/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/s%s_%H%M_%d%m%Y_$wx$h.png'` works perfectly fine when I run it in the terminal, but does nothing when it's called by the key combo.. `scrot -u -d 4 '/home/user/Pictures/screenshots/%s_%H%M_%d.%m.%Y_$wx$h.png.png'` works perfectly fine.. I don't understandSat, 19 Sep 2015 18:22:36 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6636#comment-6636Comment by Airblader for Since this doesn't fit into a comment: <pre><code>set $mode_scrot [s]election | [a]ctive window mode "$mode_scrot" { bindsym --release s mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -s /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym --release a mode "default", exec --no-startup-id scrot -u -d 4 /home/user/Pictures/screenshots/screenshot-$(date +%Y-%m-%d_%H-%M-%S).png bindsym Return mode "default" bindsym Escape mode "default" } bindsym $mod+Shift+s mode "$mode_scrot" </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6664#comment-6664I figured out what was wrong. I've updated my answer.Tue, 22 Sep 2015 18:33:43 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/6602/run-a-command-with-i3-nagbar-that-has-apostrophes-in-it/?comment=6664#comment-6664