Shared config for multiple dmenu scripts

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:30:27 +0000

With the release of [i3-dmenu-desktop](http://code.stapelberg.de/git/i3/tree/i3-dmenu-desktop), my collection of daily used dmenu-scripts has grown again. And I like to have 'em vertical, with a limited number of lines, case-insensitive, and with some particular colors (and have the [patches](http://tools.suckless.org/dmenu/patches/) installed when needed). But what I am looking for, is to control these settings from one place. Have I missed a patch that listens to environment variables? Or is there a way around those?

Answer by f8l for
With the release of i3-dmenu-desktop, my collection of daily used dmenu-scripts has grown again. And I like to have 'em vertical, with a limited number of lines, case-insensitive, and with some particular colors (and have the patches installed when needed). But what I am looking for, is to control these settings from one place.

Have I missed a patch that listens to environment variables? Or is there a way around those?

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 21:27:23 +0000

Since i3 uses sh to execute commands, you can use command substitution within commands as a workaround. I have tested it with the following within the i3's configuration file: > 1. `set $font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal-*-15-140-75-75-c-90-iso10646-1 ` 2. `set $dmc $( /tmp/dmenu.conf ` 4. `bindsym $Mod1+x exec /usr/bin/dmenu_run $dmc ` 5. `bindsym $Mod1+m exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop --dmenu="/usr/bin/dmenu -i $dmc" ` Let me explain the above: > 1. Set a variable for a font. I do it to illustrate, that variables can be used in dmenu parameter string. 2. Set a variable (or call it a macro) for inserting dmenu parameter string stored in `/tmp/dmenu.conf`. If you want to use `ENVARIABLE` environment variable instead, edit this line to something like `set $dmc $(echo $ENVARIABLE)` and omit the following line. 3. Save desired dmenu parameter string to a file. Note that previously set variables can be used. Omit this line if you already have the dmenu parameter string saved somewhere (you'll have to modify the previous line). When omitting this line, you can't use variables inside the dmenu parameter string any more. 4. Simple example of using the configuration variable. 5. More complex example. You can add more parameters (`-i` was added here), as well as use the config as a parameter of another command (just remember to use quotation marks ‹"› – using apostrophes ‹'› would result in executing `i3-dmenu-desktop --dmenu='/usr/bin/dmenu -i $(

Comment by joepd for
Since i3 uses sh to execute commands, you can use command substitution within commands as a workaround. I have tested it with the following within the i3's configuration file:

`set $font -misc-fixed-medium-r-normal-*-15-140-75-75-c-90-iso10646-1`

`set $dmc $(</tmp/dmenu.conf)`

`exec --no-startup-id echo '-b -fn $font' > /tmp/dmenu.conf`

`bindsym $Mod1+x exec /usr/bin/dmenu_run $dmc`

`bindsym $Mod1+m exec --no-startup-id i3-dmenu-desktop --dmenu="/usr/bin/dmenu -i $dmc"`

Let me explain the above:

Set a variable for a font. I do it to illustrate, that variables can be used in dmenu parameter string.

Set a variable (or call it a macro) for inserting dmenu parameter string stored in `/tmp/dmenu.conf`. If you want to use `ENVARIABLE` environment variable instead, edit this line to something like `set $dmc $(echo $ENVARIABLE)` and omit the following line.

Save desired dmenu parameter string to a file. Note that previously set variables can be used. Omit this line if you already have the dmenu parameter string saved somewhere (you'll have to modify the previous line). When omitting this line, you can't use variables inside the dmenu parameter string any more.

Simple example of using the configuration variable.

More complex example. You can add more parameters (`-i` was added here), as well as use the config as a parameter of another command (just remember to use quotation marks ‹"› – using apostrophes ‹'› would result in executing `i3-dmenu-desktop --dmenu='/usr/bin/dmenu -i $(</tmp/dmenu.conf)'` by the shell and `$(</tmp/dmenu.conf)` is not a valid dmenu parameter)

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:34:21 +0000

Excellent! And as a bonus, some nifty usage of sh. Thanks for sharing your tricks :)

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Shared config for multiple dmenu scripts