Xfconf-query

Xfconf-query is a Command Line Interface (CLI) tool for accessing configuration data stored in Xfconf. Settings can be displayed and changed in real time. In most cases, any modifications will immediately be propagated to respective applications. Similarly, xfconf-query can display most current configuration options set by the applications or monitor configuration channels for any changes.

Usage

xfconf-query [OPTION...]

Available options

-h, --help
Show help options
-V, --version
Version information
-c, --channel
The channel to query/modify
-p, --property
The property to query/modify
-s, --set
The new value to set for the property
-l, --list
List properties (or channels if -c is not specified)
-v, --verbose
Verbose output
-n, --create
Create a new property if it does not already exist
-t, --type
Specify the property value type
-r, --reset
Reset property
-R, --recursive
Recursive (use with -r)
-a, --force-array
Force array even if only one element
-T, --toggle
Invert an existing boolean property
-m, --monitor
Monitor a channel for property changes

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Examples

Listing Properties

List all available configuration channels:

xfconf-query -l

List all available properties in the channel xfce4-panel:

xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -l

List all available properties and their values in the channel xfce4-panel:

xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -l -v

List all properties and their values in the channel xfce4-panel below the property /panels (including it):

xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -p /panels -l -v

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Creating Properties

Create a new property /test1 in the channel test, holding an integer value 1:

xfconf-query -c test -p /test1 -n -t int -s 1

Reset (and remove) property /test1 in the channel test (this preserves any properties under /test1, for example /test1/test):

xfconf-query -c test -p /test1 -r

Reset (and remove) property /test1 in the channel test and all properties under it:

xfconf-query -c test -p /test1 -r -R

Create a new property /test2 in the channel test, holding an array of two integers and two strings ([int,int,string,string]), and preset it with an array [4,5,“6”,“8”]:

xfconf-query -c test -p /test2 -n -t int -t int -t string -t string -s 4 -s 5 -s 6 -s 8

Create a new property /test3 in the channel test, holding an array of a single string value ([string]), and preset it with an array [“123”] (note that without -a the property type would be string):

xfconf-query -c test -p /test3 -n -t string -s 123 -a

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Monitoring Channel Changes

Monitor changes in the xfce4-panel channel:

xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -m

Monitor changes in the xfce4-panel channel while displaying values of properties being set:

xfconf-query -c xfce4-panel -m -v

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Configuration Tweaks

Hide Suspend, Hibernate, and Hybrid Sleep from the logout dialog:

 xfconf-query -c xfce4-session -np '/shutdown/ShowSuspend' -t 'bool' -s 'false'
 xfconf-query -c xfce4-session -np '/shutdown/ShowHibernate' -t 'bool' -s 'false'
 xfconf-query -c xfce4-session -np '/shutdown/ShowHybridSleep' -t 'bool' -s 'false'

Move the Save As button below the window instead of above:

xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/DialogsUseHeader -s false

Toggle desktop icon toolips on/off:

xfconf-query --channel xfce4-desktop -p /desktop-icons/show-tooltips -s true
xfconf-query --channel xfce4-desktop -p /desktop-icons/show-tooltips -s false

Make all system popups(tooltips, notifications, right-click context menu, etc.) invisible/opaque:

xfconf-query --channel xfwm4 -p /general/popup_opacity -s 0
xfconf-query --channel xfwm4 -p /general/popup_opacity -s 100

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