Provided by: conky-std_1.19.6-1build3_amd64 
NAME
conky - A system monitor for X
SYNOPSIS
conky [ options ]
DESCRIPTION
Conky is a system monitor for X originally based on torsmo. Since its inception, Conky has changed sig‐
nificantly from its predecessor, while maintaining simplicity and configurability. Conky can display
just about anything, either on your root desktop or in its own window. Not only does Conky have many
built-in objects, it can also display just about any piece of information by using scripts and other ex‐
ternal programs.
Conky has more than 250 built in objects, including support for a plethora of OS stats (uname, uptime,
CPU usage, mem usage, disk usage, "top" like process stats, and network monitoring, just to name a few),
built in IMAP and POP3 support, built in support for many popular music players (MPD, XMMS2, Audacious),
and much much more. Conky can display this info either as text, or using simple progress bars and graph
widgets, with different fonts and colours.
We are always looking for help, whether its reporting bugs, writing patches, or writing docs. Please use
the facilities on GitHub to make bug reports, feature requests, and submit patches.
Thanks for your interest in Conky.
COMPILING
For users compiling from source on a binary distro, make sure you have the X development libraries in‐
stalled (Unless you configure your build without X11). This should be a package along the lines of
"libx11-dev" or "xorg-x11-dev" for X11 libs, and similar "-dev" format for the other libs required (de‐
pending on your build options). You should be able to see which extra packages you need to install by
reading errors that you get from running `cmake'. The easiest way to view the available build options is
to run `ccmake' or `cmake-gui' from the source tree, but be careful when disabling certain features as
you may lose desired functionality. E.g., with BUILD_MATH disabled you won't get errors but logarithmic
graphs will be normal graphs and gauges will miss their line.
Conky has (for some time) been available in the repositories of most popular distributions. Here are
some installation instructions for a few:
Gentoo users -- Conky is in Gentoo's Portage... simply use "emerge app-admin/conky" for installation.
Debian, etc. users -- Conky should be in your repositories, and can be installed by doing "aptitude in‐
stall conky".
Example to compile and run Conky with default components (note that some build options may differ for
your system):
cmake -D CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:string=/usr .
make
make install # Optional
src/conky
Conky has been tested to be compatible with C99 C and C++0x C++, however it has not been tested with any‐
thing other than gcc, and is not guaranteed to work with other compilers.
TIP: Try configuring Conky with `ccmake' or `cmake-gui' instead of just `cmake'.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Conky is generally very good on resources. That said, the more you try to make Conky do, the more re‐
sources it is going to consume.
An easy way to force Conky to reload your ~/.config/conky/conky.conf: "killall -SIGUSR1 conky". Saves
you the trouble of having to kill and then restart.
OPTIONS
Command line options override configurations defined in configuration file.
-a | --alignment= ALIGNMENT
Text alignment on screen, {top,bottom,middle}_{left,right,middle} or none. Can also be abbreviat‐
ed with first chars of position, ie. tr for top_right. Only available with build flag BUILD_X11
enabled.
-b | --double-buffer
Use double buffering (eliminates "flicker"). Only available with build flag BUILD_X11 enabled.
-c | --config= FILE
Config file to load instead of ~/.config/conky/conky.conf.
-C | --print-config
Print builtin default config to stdout. See also the section EXAMPLES for more information. Only
available with build flag BUILD_BUILTIN_CONFIG enabled.
-d | --daemonize
Daemonize Conky, aka fork to background.
-D | --debug
Increase debugging output, ie. -DD for more debugging.
-f | --font= FONT
Font to use. Only available with build flag BUILD_X11 enabled.
-h | --help
Prints command line help and exits.
-i COUNT
Number of times to update Conky (and quit).
-o | --own-window
Create own window to draw. Only available with build flag BUILD_X11 enabled.
-p | --pause= SECONDS
Time to pause/wait before actually starting Conky.
-q | --quiet
Run Conky in 'quiet mode' (ie. no output).
-t | --text= TEXT
Text to render, remember single quotes, like -t ' $uptime '.
-u | --interval= SECONDS
Update interval.
-v | -V | --version
Prints version, build information and general info. Exits after printing.
-w | --window-id= WIN_ID
Window id to draw. Only available with build flag BUILD_X11 enabled.
-x X_COORDINATE
X position.
-X | --display= DISPLAY
X11 display to use. Only available with build flag BUILD_X11 enabled.
-y Y_COORDINATE
Y position.
CONFIGURATION SETTINGS
This is a listing of global configuration options for Conky. These are placed in the conky.config sec‐
tion of your configuration file, before conky.text.
The default configuration file location is ~/.config/conky/conky.conf or ${sysconfdir}/conky/conky.conf.
On most systems, $sysconfdir is /etc, and you can find the sample config file there in
/etc/conky/conky.conf.
You might want to copy the default config to ~/.config/conky/conky.conf and then start modifying it.
User configs can be found at https://github.com/brndnmtthws/conky/wiki/Configs.
Optional arguments are generally denoted with paretheses (i.e., (optional)).
alignment
Aligned position on screen, may be top_left, top_right, top_middle, bottom_left, bottom_right,
bottom_middle, middle_left, middle_middle, middle_right, or none (also can be abbreviated as tl,
tr, tm, bl, br, bm, ml, mm, mr). See also gap_x and gap_y.
append_file
Append the file given as argument.
background
Boolean value, if true, Conky will be forked to background when started.
border_inner_margin
Inner border margin in pixels (the margin between the border and text).
border_outer_margin
Outer border margin in pixels (the margin between the border and the edge of the window).
border_width
Border width in pixels.
colorN Predefine a color for use inside conky.text segments. Substitute N by a digit between 0 and 9,
inclusively. When specifying the color value in hex, omit the leading hash (#).
console_bar_fill
A character to fill the console bars.
Default: #
console_bar_unfill
A character to unfill the console bars.
Default: .
console_graph_ticks
A comma-separated list of strings to use as the bars of a graph output to console/shell. The
first list item is used for the minimum bar height and the last item is used for the maximum,
e.g. " ,_,=,#".
cpu_avg_samples
The number of samples to average for CPU monitoring.
default_bar_height
Specify a default height for bars.
Default: 6
default_bar_width
Specify a default width for bars. If not specified, the default value is 0, which causes the bar
to expand to fit the width of your Conky window. If you set out_to_console = true, the default
value will be 10 for the text version of the bar.
default_color
Default color and border color.
default_gauge_height
Specify a default height for gauges.
Default: 25
default_gauge_width
Specify a default width for gauges.
Default: 40
default_graph_height
Specify a default height for graphs.
Default: 25
default_graph_width
Specify a default width for graphs. If not specified, the default value is 0, which causes the
graph to expand to fit the width of your Conky window. If you set out_to_console = true, the text
version of the graph will actually have no width and you will need to set a sensible default or
set the height and width of each graph individually.
default_outline_color
Default outline color.
default_shade_color
Default shading color and border’s shading color.
detect_battery
One or more batteries to check in order to use update_interval_on_battery (comma separated).
Default: BAT0
disable_auto_reload
Enable to disable the inotify-based auto config reload feature.
diskio_avg_samples
The number of samples to average for disk I/O monitoring.
display
Specify an X display to connect to.
double_buffer
Use the Xdbe extension? (eliminates flicker) It is highly recommended to use own window with this
one so double buffer won’t be so big.
draw_blended
Boolean, blend when rendering drawn image? Some images blend incorrectly breaking alpha with ARBG
visuals. This provides a possible work around by disabling blending.
Default: True
draw_borders
Draw borders around text.
draw_graph_borders
Draw borders around graphs.
draw_outline
Draw outlines.
draw_shades
Draw shades.
extra_newline
Put an extra newline at the end when writing to stdout, useful for writing to awesome’s wiboxes.
font Font name in X, xfontsel can be used to get a nice font.
fontN Predefine a font to be used in conky.text segments. Substitute N by a number between 0 and 9 in‐
clusive. Use the same format as a font variable.
forced_redraw
Boolean value, if true, Conky will redraw everything when you switch the workspace. This may
cause delays/flickering on some WMs.
format_human_readable
If enabled, values which are in bytes will be printed in human readable format (i.e., KiB, MiB,
etc). If disabled, the number of bytes is printed instead.
gap_x Gap, in pixels, between right or left border of screen, same as passing -x at command line,
e.g. gap_x 10. For other position related stuff, see `alignment'.
gap_y Gap, in pixels, between top or bottom border of screen, same as passing -y at command line,
e.g. gap_y 10. For other position related stuff, see `alignment'.
github_token
Specify API token for GitHub notifications.
Create an API token at https://github.com/settings/tokens/new?scopes=notifications&descrip‐
tion=conky.
hddtemp_host
Hostname to connect to for hddtemp objects.
Default: 127.0.0.1
hddtemp_port
Port to use for hddtemp connections.
Default: 7634
http_port
Port to listen to for HTTP connections. Default value is 10080, but is blocked by Firefox and
Chrome, so you really want to change it.
Default: 10080
http_refresh
When this is set the page generated with out_to_http will automatically refresh each interval.
if_up_strictness
How strict should if_up be when testing an interface for being up? The value is one of up, link
or address, to check for the interface being solely up, being up and having link or being up, hav‐
ing link and an assigned IP address.
imap host user pass [`-i interval (in seconds)'] [“-f `folder'”] [`-p port'] [“-e `command'”] [`-r re‐
tries']
Default global IMAP server. Default port is 143, default folder is `INBOX', default interval is 5
minutes, and default number of retries before giving up is 5. If the password is supplied as ’*’,
you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
imlib_cache_flush_interval
Interval (in seconds) to flush Imlib2 cache.
imlib_cache_size
Imlib2 image cache size, in bytes. Increase this value if you use $image lots. Set to 0 to dis‐
able the image cache.
Default: 4194304
lua_mouse_hook function_name
This function, if defined, will be called by Conky upon receiving mouse events from X. Requires X
support. A table containing event information will be passed to this function as the first argu‐
ment. Use this hook for detecting mouse input and acting on it. Conky puts `conky_' in front of
function_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_' in front
of it yourself.
lowercase
Boolean value, if true, text is rendered in lower case.
lua_draw_hook_post function_name [`function arguments']
This function, if defined, will be called by Conky through each iteration after drawing to the
window. Requires X support. Takes any number of optional arguments. Use this hook for drawing
things on top of what Conky draws. Conky puts `conky_' in front of function_name to prevent acci‐
dental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
lua_draw_hook_pre function_name [`function arguments']
This function, if defined, will be called by Conky through each iteration before drawing to the
window. Requires X support. Takes any number of optional arguments. Use this hook for drawing
things on top of what Conky draws. Conky puts `conky_' in front of function_name to prevent acci‐
dental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
lua_load
Loads the Lua scripts separated by spaces.
lua_shutdown_hook function_name [`function arguments']
This function, if defined, will be called by Conky at shutdown or when the configuration is re‐
loaded. Use this hook to clean up after yourself, such as freeing memory which has been allocated
by external libraries via Lua. Conky puts `conky_' in front of function_name to prevent acciden‐
tal calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
lua_startup_hook function_name [`function arguments']
This function, if defined, will be called by Conky at startup or when the configuration is re‐
loaded. Use this hook to initialize values, or for any run-once applications. Conky puts
`conky_' in front of function_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless you
place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
mail_spool
Mail spool for mail checking.
max_port_monitor_connections
Allow each port monitor to track at most this many connections.
Default: 256
max_text_width seconds
When a line in the output contains `width' chars and the end isn’t reached, the next char will
start on a new line. If you want to make sure that lines don’t get broken, set `width' to 0.
max_user_text seconds
Maximum size of user text buffer in bytes, i.e. text inside conky.text section in config file.
Default: 16384
maximum_width seconds
Maximum width of window.
minimum_height seconds
Minimum height of the window.
minimum_width seconds
Minimum width of window.
mpd_host
Host of MPD server.
mpd_password
MPD server password.
mpd_port
Port of MPD server.
music_player_interval
Music player thread update interval.
Default: update interval
mysql_db
MySQL database to use.
Default: mysql
mysql_host
Host of MySQL server
Default: localhost
mysql_password
Password of the MySQL user. Place it between "-chars. When this is not set there is no password
used.
mysql_port
Port of MySQL server.
mysql_user
MySQL user name to use when connecting to the server. Defaults to your username.
net_avg_samples
The number of samples to average for net data.
no_buffers
Subtract (file system) buffers from used memory.
nvidia_display
The display that the nvidia variable will used.
Default: $DISPLAY
out_to_console
Print text to stdout.
out_to_http
Let conky act as a small http-server serving its text.
out_to_ncurses
Print text in the console, but use ncurses so that conky can print the text of a new update over
the old text. (In the future this will provide more useful things).
out_to_stderr
Print text to stderr.
out_to_wayland
Open a Wayland window to display output.
out_to_x
When set to no, there will be no output in X (useful when you also use things like out_to_con‐
sole). If you set it to no, make sure that it’s placed before all other X-related setting (take
the first line of your configfile to be sure).
Default: True
override_utf8_locale
Force UTF8. Requires XFT.
overwrite_file
Overwrite the file given as argument.
own_window
Boolean, create own window to draw.
own_window_argb_value
When ARGB visuals are enabled, this use this to modify the alpha value used. Valid range is
0-255, where 0 is 0% opacity, and 255 is 100% opacity.
own_window_argb_visual
Boolean, use ARGB visual? ARGB can be used for real transparency, note that a composite manager
is required for real transparency. This option will not work as desired (in most cases) in con‐
junction with `own_window_type override'.
own_window_class
Manually set the WM_CLASS name.
Default: Conky
own_window_colour seconds
If own_window_transparent no, set a specified background colour. Takes either a hex value
(e.g. `#ffffff'), a shorthand hex value (e.g. `#fff'), or a valid RGB nam (see
/usr/lib/X11/rgb.txt).
Default: black
own_window_hints seconds
If own_window is yes, you may use these window manager hints to affect the way Conky displays.
Notes: Use own_window_type desktop as another way to implement many of these hints implicitly. If
you use own_window_type override, window manager hints have no meaning and are ignored.
own_window_title
Manually set the window name.
Default: conky ()
own_window_transparent
Boolean, set transparency? If ARGB visual is enabled, sets background opacity to 0%.
own_window_type
if own_window is yes, you may specify type normal, desktop, dock, panel, utility or override.
Desktop windows are special windows that have no window decorations; are always visible on your
desktop; do not appear in your pager or taskbar; and are sticky across all workspaces. Utility
windows are like desktop windows, except they appear above everything else rather than below.
Panel windows reserve space along a desktop edge, just like panels and taskbars, preventing maxi‐
mized windows from overlapping them. The edge is chosen based on the alignment option. Override
windows are not under the control of the window manager. Hints are ignored. This type of window
can be useful for certain situations.
Default: normal
pad_percents
Pad percentages to this many decimals (0 = no padding).
pop3 host user pass [`-i interval (in seconds)'] [`-p port'] [“-e `command'”] [`-r retries']
Default global POP3 server. Arguments are: `host user pass [-i interval (in seconds)] [-p port]
[-e `command'] [-r retries]". Default port is 110, default interval is 5 minutes, and default
number of retries before giving up is 5. If the password is supplied as ’*’, you will be prompted
to enter the password when Conky starts.
short_units
Shortens units to a single character (kiB->k, GiB->G, etc.).
show_graph_range
Shows the time range covered by a graph.
show_graph_scale
Shows the maximum value in scaled graphs.
graph_gradient_mode (rbg|hcl|hsv)
Changes the color space used for interpolation. Arguments are hcl, hsv, and rgb (default).
Default: rgb
stippled_borders
Border stippling (dashing) in pixels.
store_graph_data_explicitly
Enable storing graph data explicitly by ID. This avoids resets while using conditional colors.
This option should be disabled while using graphs indirectly e.g. via execpi or lua_parse. Other‐
wise the graph stays emtpy. The default value is true.
Default: True
temperature_unit
Desired output unit of all objects displaying a temperature. Parameters are either fahrenheit or
celsius.
Default: celsius
templateN
Define a template for later use inside conky.text segments. Substitute N by a digit between 0 and
9, inclusively. The value of the variable is being inserted into the stuff inside conky.text at
the corresponding position, but before some substitutions are applied:
• \\n -> newline
• \\ -> backslash
• \\ -> space
• \\N -> template argument N (starting from 1)
text_buffer_size seconds
Size of the standard text buffer (default is 256 bytes). This buffer is used for intermediary
text, such as individual lines, output from $exec vars, and various other variables. Increasing
the size of this buffer can drastically reduce Conky’s performance, but will allow for more text
display per variable. The size of this buffer cannot be smaller than the default value of 256
bytes.
times_in_seconds
If true, variables that output times output a number that represents seconds. This doesn’t affect
$time, $tztime and $utime.
top_cpu_separate
If true, cpu in top will show usage of one processor’s power. If false, cpu in top will show the
usage of all processors’ power combined.
top_name_verbose
If true, top name shows the full command line of each process, including arguments (whenever pos‐
sible). Otherwise, only the basename is displayed. Default value is false.
top_name_width
Width for $top name value (defaults to 15 characters).
total_run_times
Total number of times for Conky to update before quitting. Zero makes Conky run forever.
units_spacer
String to place between values and units.
update_interval seconds
Update interval.
update_interval_on_battery seconds
Update interval when running on battery power.
uppercase
Boolean value, if true, text is rendered in upper case.
use_spacer
Adds spaces around certain objects to stop them from moving other things around. Arguments are
left, right, and none (default). The old true/false values are deprecated and default to
right/none respectively. Note that this only helps if you are using a mono font, such as Bit‐
stream Vera Sans Mono.
Default: none
use_xft
Use Xft (anti-aliased font and stuff).
xftalpha
Alpha of Xft font. Must be a value at or between 1 and 0.
xinerama_head
Specify a Xinerama head.
OBJECTS/VARIABLES
To configure what Conky displays, you must supply some variables in the conky.text section of your con‐
figuration. In this secton you’ll find a listing of the available variables. Some of them may require
build options to be enabled at compile time for them to work.
Colours are parsed using XParseColor(), there might be a list of them: /usr/share/X11/rgb.txt. Colour
can be also in #rrggbb format (hex).
Some objects may create threads, and sometimes these threads will not be destroyed until Conky termi‐
nates. There is no way to destroy or clean up threads while Conky is running. For example, if you use
an MPD variable, the MPD thread will keep running until Conky dies. Some threaded objects will use one
of the parameters as a key, so that you only have 1 relevant thread running (for example, the $curl, and
$rss objects launch one thread per URI).
Optional arguments are generally denoted with paretheses (i.e., (optional)).
acpiacadapter (adapter)
ACPI AC adapter state. On linux, the adapter option specifies the subfolder of /sys/class/pow‐
er_supply containing the state information (tries AC and ADP1 if there is no argument given).
Non-linux systems ignore it.
acpifan
ACPI fan state.
acpitemp
ACPI temperature in C.
addr (interface)
IP address for an interface, or “No Address” if no address is assigned.
addrs (interface)
IP addresses for an interface (if one - works like addr). Linux only.
adt746xcpu
CPU temperature from therm_adt746x.
adt746xfan
Fan speed from therm_adt746x.
alignc (num)
Align text to centre.
alignr (num)
Right-justify text, with space of N.
apcupsd host port
Sets up the connection to apcupsd daemon. Prints nothing.
Default: localhost:3551
apcupsd_cable
Prints the UPS connection type.
apcupsd_charge
Current battery capacity in percent.
apcupsd_lastxfer
Reason for last transfer from line to battery.
apcupsd_linev
Nominal input voltage.
apcupsd_load
Current load in percent.
apcupsd_loadbar
Bar showing current load.
apcupsd_loadgauge (height),(width)
Gauge that shows current load.
apcupsd_loadgraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
History graph of current load.
apcupsd_model
Prints the model of the UPS.
apcupsd_name
Prints the UPS user-defined name.
apcupsd_status
Prints current status (on-line, on-battery).
apcupsd_temp
Current internal temperature.
apcupsd_timeleft
Time left to run on battery.
apcupsd_upsmode
Prints the UPS mode (e.g. standalone).
apm_adapter
Display APM AC adapter status. FreeBSD, OpenBSD only.
apm_battery_life
Display APM battery life in percent. FreeBSD, OpenBSD only.
apm_battery_time
Display remaining APM battery life in hh:mm:ss or “unknown” if AC adapterstatus is on-line or
charging. FreeBSD, OpenBSD only.
audacious_bar (height),(width)
Progress bar.
audacious_bitrate
Bitrate of current tune.
audacious_channels
Number of audio channels of current tune.
audacious_filename
Full path and filename of current tune.
audacious_frequency
Sampling frequency of current tune.
audacious_length
Total length of current tune as MM:SS.
audacious_length_seconds
Total length of current tune in seconds.
audacious_main_volume
The current volume fetched from Audacious.
audacious_playlist_length
Number of tunes in playlist.
audacious_playlist_position
Playlist position of current tune.
audacious_position
Position of current tune (MM:SS).
audacious_position_seconds
Position of current tune in seconds.
audacious_status
Player status (Playing/Paused/Stopped/Not running).
audacious_title (max length)
Title of current tune with optional maximum length specifier.
battery (num)
Battery status and remaining percentage capacity of ACPI or APM battery. ACPI battery number can
be given as argument.
Default: BAT0
battery_bar (height),(width) (num)
Battery percentage remaining of ACPI battery in a bar. ACPI battery number can be given as argu‐
ment (use all to get the mean percentage remaining for all batteries).
Default: BAT0
battery_percent (num)
Battery percentage remaining for ACPI battery. ACPI battery number can be given as argument (use
all to get the mean percentage remaining for all batteries).
Default: BAT0
battery_power_draw (num)
Battery power draw in watts
Default: BAT0
battery_short (num)
Battery status and remaining percentage capacity of ACPI or APM battery. ACPI battery number can
be given as argument. This mode display a short status, which means that C is displayed instead
of charging, D for discharging, F for full, N for not present, E for empty and U for unknown.
Default: BAT0
battery_status (num)
Battery status for ACPI battery. ACPI battery number can be given as arguments.
Default: BAT0
battery_time (num)
Battery charge/discharge time remaining of ACPI battery. ACPI battery number can be given as ar‐
gument.
Default: BAT0
blink text_and_other_conky_vars
Let `text_and_other_conky_vars' blink on and off.
buffers
Amount of memory buffered.
cached Amount of memory cached.
cat file
Reads a file and displays the contents in conky. This is useful if you have an independent
process generating output that you want to include in conky.
catp file
Reads a file and displays the contents in conky. This is useful if you have an independent
process generating output that you want to include in conky. This differs from $cat in that it
parses the contents of the file, so you can insert things like `${color red}hi!${color}` in your
file and have it correctly parsed by Conky.
cmdline_to_pid string
PID of the first process that has string in its commandline.
cmus_aaa
Print aaa status of cmus (all/artist/album).
cmus_album
Prints the album of the current cmus song.
cmus_artist
Prints the artist of the current cmus song.
cmus_curtime
Current time of the current cmus song.
cmus_date
Print the date of the current cmus song.
cmus_file
Print the file name of the current cmus song.
cmus_genre
Print the genre name of the current cmus song.
cmus_percent
Percent of song’s progress.
cmus_progress (height),(width)
cmus’ progress bar.
cmus_random
Random status of cmus (on/off).
cmus_repeat
Repeat status of cmus (song/all/off).
cmus_state
Current state of cmus (playing, paused, stopped etc).
cmus_timeleft
Time left of the current cmus song.
cmus_title
Prints the title of the current cmus song.
cmus_totaltime
Total length of the current cmus song.
cmus_track
Print track number of current cmus song.
color (color)
Change drawing color to color which is a name of a color or a hexcode preceded with #,
e.g. #0A1B2C. If you use ncurses only the following colors are supported: red, green, yellow,
blue, magenta, cyan, black, and white.
colorN Change drawing color to colorN configuration option, where N is a digit between 0 and 9, inclu‐
sively.
combine var1 var2
Places the lines of var2 to the right of the lines of var1 separated by the chars that are put be‐
tween var1 and var2. For example: ${combine ${head /proc/cpuinfo 2} - ${head /proc/meminfo 1}}
gives as output cpuinfo_line1 - meminfo_line1 on line 1 and cpuinfo_line2 - on line 2. $combine
vars can also be nested to place more vars next to each other.
conky_build_arch
CPU architecture Conky was built for.
conky_build_date
Date Conky was built.
conky_version
Conky version.
cpu (cpuN)
CPU usage in percents. For SMP machines, the CPU number can be provided as an argument. ${cpu
cpu0} is the total usage, and ${cpu cpuX} (X >= 1) are individual CPUs.
cpubar (cpuN) (height),(width)
Bar that shows CPU usage, height is bar’s height in pixels. See $cpu for more info on SMP.
cpugauge (cpuN) (height),(width)
Elliptical gauge that shows CPU usage, height and width are gauge’s vertical and horizontal axis
respectively. See $cpu for more info on SMP.
cpugovernor (cpuN)
The active CPU scaling governor, defaulting to the first core. See $cpu for more info on SMP.
Linux only.
cpugraph (cpuN) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
CPU usage graph, with optional colours in hex, minus the #. See $cpu for more info on SMP. Uses
a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use the -l switch. Takes the switch `-t' to
use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change depending on the amplitude of a
particular graph value (try it and see).
curl url (interval_in_minutes)
Download data from URI using Curl at the specified interval. The interval may be a positive
floating point value (0 is allowed), otherwise defaults to 15 minutes. Most useful when used in
conjunction with Lua and the Lua API. This object is threaded, and once a thread is created it
can’t be explicitly destroyed. One thread will run for each URI specified. You can use any pro‐
tocol that Curl supports.
desktop
Number of the desktop on which conky is running or the message “Not running in X” if this is the
case.
desktop_name
Name of the desktop on which conky is running or the message “Not running in X” if this is the
case.
desktop_number
Number of desktops or the message “Not running in X” if this is the case.
disk_protect device
Disk protection status, if supported (needs kernel-patch). Prints either “frozen” or “free” (note
the padding).
diskio (device)
Displays current disk IO. Device is optional, and takes the form of sda for /dev/sda. A block
device label can be specified with label:foo and a block device partuuid can be specified with
partuuid:40000000-01.
diskio_read (device)
Displays current disk IO for reads. Device as in diskio.
diskio_write (device)
Displays current disk IO for writes. Device as in diskio.
diskiograph (device) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Disk IO graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale
for the graph. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use -l switch. Takes the
switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change depending on the
amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
diskiograph_read (device) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Disk IO graph for reads, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes
the scale for the graph. Device as in diskio. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers)
when you use -l switch. Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gra‐
dient values change depending on the amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
diskiograph_write (device) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Disk IO graph for writes, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes
the scale for the graph. Device as in diskio. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers)
when you use -l switch. Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gra‐
dient values change depending on the amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
distribution
The name of the distribution. It could be that some of the untested distributions will show up
wrong or as “unknown”, if that’s the case post a bug on sourceforge, make sure it contains the
name of your distribution, the contents of and if there is a file that only exists on your distri‐
bution, also add the path of that file in the bug. If there is no such file, please add another
way which we can use to identify your distribution.
downspeed (net)
Download speed in suitable IEC units.
downspeedf (net)
Download speed in KiB with one decimal.
downspeedgraph (netdev) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Download speed graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the
scale for the graph. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use -l switch.
Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change de‐
pending on the amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
draft_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as draft in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir type
mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
else Text to show if any of the above are not true.
endif Ends an $if block.
entropy_avail
Current entropy available for crypto freaks.
entropy_bar (height),(width)
Normalized bar of available entropy for crypto freaks.
entropy_perc
Percentage of entropy available in comparison to the poolsize.
entropy_poolsize
Total size of system entropy pool for crypto freaks.
eval string
Evaluates given string according to the rules of conky.text interpretation, i.e. parsing any con‐
tained text object specifications into their output, any occurring `$′intoasingle′' and so on.
The output is then being parsed again.
exec command
Executes a shell command and displays the output in conky. Warning: this takes a lot more re‐
sources than other variables. I’d recommend coding wanted behaviour in C/C++ and posting a patch.
execbar (height),(width) command
Same as exec, except if the first value returned is a value between 0-100, it will use that number
to draw a horizontal bar. The height and width parameters are optional, and default to the de‐
fault_bar_height and default_bar_width config settings, respectively.
execgauge (height),(width) command
Same as exec, except if the first value returned is a value between 0-100, it will use that number
to draw a round gauge (much like a vehicle speedometer). The height and width parameters are op‐
tional, and default to the default_gauge_height and default_gauge_width config settings, respec‐
tively.
execgraph command (height),(width) (gradient color 1) (gradient color 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Draws a horizontally scrolling graph with values from 0-100 plotted on the vertical axis. All pa‐
rameters following the command are optional. Gradient colors can be specified as hexadecimal val‐
ues with no 0x or # prefix. Use the -t switch to enable a temperature gradient, so that small
values are “cold” with color 1 and large values are “hot” with color 2. Without the -t switch,
the colors produce a horizontal gradient spanning the width of the graph. The scale parameter de‐
fines the maximum value of the graph. Use the -l switch to enable a logarithmic scale, which
helps to see small values. The default size for graphs can be controlled via the de‐
fault_graph_height and default_graph_width config settings.
If you need to execute a command with spaces, you have a couple options:
1. wrap your command in double-quotes, or
2. put your command into a separate file, such as ~/bin/myscript.sh, and use that as your exec‐
graph command.
Remember to make your script executable!
In the following example, we set up execgraph to display seconds (0-59) on a graph that is 50px
high and 200px wide, using a temperature gradient with colors ranging from red for small values
(FF0000) to yellow for large values (FFFF00). We set the scale to 60.
${execgraph ~/seconds.sh 50,200 FF0000 FFFF00 60 -t}
execi interval command
Same as exec, but with a specific interval in seconds. The interval can’t be less than the up‐
date_interval in your configuration. See also $texeci.
execibar interval (height),(width) command
Same as execbar, but with an interval.
execigauge interval (height),(width) command
Same as execgauge, but with an interval.
execigraph interval command (height),(width) (gradient color 1) (gradient color 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Same as execgraph, but with an interval.
execp command
Executes a shell command and displays the output in conky. Warning: this takes a lot more re‐
sources than other variables. I’d recommend coding wanted behaviour in C/C++ and posting a patch.
This differs from $exec in that it parses the output of the command, so you can insert things like
`${color red}hi!${color}` in your script and have it correctly parsed by Conky. Caveats: Conky
parses and evaluates the output of $execp every time Conky loops, and then destroys all the ob‐
jects. If you try to use anything like $execi within an $execp statement, it will functionally
run at the same interval that the $execp statement runs, as it is created and destroyed at every
interval.
execpi interval command
Same as execp, but with an interval. Note that the output from the $execpi command is still
parsed and evaluated at every interval.
flagged_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as flagged in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
font (font)
Specify a different font. This new font will apply to the current line and everything following.
You can use a $font with no arguments to change back to the default font (much like with $color).
fontN Change font to fontN configuration option, where N is a digit between 0 and 9, inclusively.
format_time seconds format
Format time given in seconds. This var only works when the times_in_seconds configuration setting
is on. Format is a string that should start and end with a double quote " character. The quote
characters are not part of the output, ,,,(,) and \ are replaced by weeks,days,hours,minutes,sec‐
onds,(,) and . If you leave out a unit, it’s value will be expressed in the highest unit lower
than the one left out. Text between ()-chars will not be visible if a replaced unit in this text
is 0. If seconds is a decimal number then you can see the numbers behind the point by using fol‐
lowed by a number that specifies the amount of digits behind the point that you want to see (maxi‐
mum 9). You can also place a `x' behind so you have all digits behind the point and no trailing
zero’s. (also maximum 9).
forwarded_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as forwarded in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
free_bufcache
Amount of memory cached or buffered, as reported by free. Linux only.
freq (n)
Returns CPU #n’s frequency in MHz. CPUs are counted from 1.
Default: 1
freq2 (n)
Returns CPU #n’s clock speed from assembly in MHz. CPUs are counted from 1.
Default: 1
freq_g (n)
Returns CPU #n’s frequency in GHz. CPUs are counted from 1.
Default: 1
fs_bar (height),(width) fs
Bar that shows how much space is used on a file system. height is the height in pixels. fs is
any file on that file system.
fs_bar_free (height),(width) fs
Bar that shows how much space is free on a file system. height is the height in pixels. fs is
any file on that file system.
fs_free (fs)
Free space on a file system available for users.
fs_free_perc (fs)
Free percentage of space on a file system available for users.
fs_size (fs)
File system size.
fs_type (fs)
File system type.
fs_used (fs)
File system used space.
fs_used_perc (fs)
Percent of file system used space.
gid_name gid
Name of group with this gid.
github_notifications
Number of GitHub notifications.
goto x The next element will be printed at position `x'.
gw_iface
Displays the default route’s interface or “multiple”/“none” accordingly.
gw_ip Displays the default gateway’s IP or “multiple”/“none” accordingly.
hddtemp (dev)
Displays temperature of a selected hard disk drive as reported by the hddtemp daemon. Use hd‐
dtemp_host and hddtemp_port to specify a host and port for all hddtemp objects. If no dev parame‐
ter is given, the first disk returned by the hddtemp daemon is used.
head logfile lines (next_check)
Displays first N lines of supplied text file. The file is checked every `next_check' update. If
next_check is not supplied, Conky defaults to 2. Max of 30 lines can be displayed, or until the
text buffer is filled.
hr (height)
Horizontal line, height is the height in pixels.
hwmon (dev) type n (factor offset)
Hwmon sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev can be: 1. Number. e.g 1 means hwmon1. 2.
Module name. e.g. k10temp means the first hwmon device whose module name is `k10temp. 3. Omit‐
ted. Then the first hwmon device (hwmon0) will be used.
Parameter type is either in or vol meaning voltage; fan meaning fan; temp meaning temperature.
Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/class/hwmon/ on your local computer. The optional
arguments factor and offset allow precalculation of the raw input, which is being modified as fol‐
lows: input = input * factor + offset. Note that they have to be given as decimal values
(i.e. contain at least one decimal place).
i2c (dev) type n (factor offset)
I2C sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev may be omitted if you have only one I2C device.
Parameter type is either in or vol meaning voltage; fan meaning fan; temp meaning temperature.
Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/bus/i2c/devices/ on your local computer. The op‐
tional arguments factor and offset allow precalculation of the raw input, which is being modified
as follows: input = input * factor + offset. Note that they have to be given as decimal values
(i.e. contain at least one decimal place).
i8k_ac_status
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays whether ac power is on, as listed
in /proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware that this is by default not enabled by i8k
itself.
i8k_bios
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the bios version as listed in
/proc/i8k.
i8k_buttons_status
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the volume buttons status as list‐
ed in /proc/i8k.
i8k_cpu_temp
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the cpu temperature in Celsius, as
reported by /proc/i8k.
i8k_left_fan_rpm
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the left fan’s rate of rotation,
in revolutions per minute as listed in /proc/i8k. Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in
reverse order.
i8k_left_fan_status
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the left fan status as listed in
/proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse
order.
i8k_right_fan_rpm
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the right fan’s rate of rotation,
in revolutions per minute as listed in /proc/i8k. Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in
reverse order.
i8k_right_fan_status
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the right fan status as listed in
/proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse
order.
i8k_serial
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays your laptop serial number as list‐
ed in /proc/i8k.
i8k_version
If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the version formatting of
/proc/i8k.
ibm_brightness
If running the IBM ACPI, displays the brigtness of the laptops’s LCD (0-7).
ibm_fan
If running the IBM ACPI, displays the fan speed.
ibm_temps N
If running the IBM ACPI, displays the temperatures from the IBM temperature sensors (N=0..7) Sen‐
sor 0 is on the CPU, 3 is on the GPU.
ibm_thinklight
If running the IBM ACPI, displays the status of your ThinkLight™. Value is either `on', `off' or
`unknown'.
ibm_volume
If running the IBM ACPI, displays the “master” volume, controlled by the volume keys (0-14).
ical number file
Shows title of event number `number' in the ical (RFC 5545) file `file'. The events are first or‐
dered by starting time, events that started in the past are ignored. The events that are shown
are the VEVENTS, the title that is shown is the SUMMARY and the starting time used for sorting is
DTSTART.
iconv_start codeset_from codeset_to
Convert text from one codeset to another using GNU iconv. Needs to be stopped with iconv_stop.
iconv_stop
Stop iconv codeset conversion.
if_empty (var)
if conky variable VAR is empty, display everything between $if_empty and the matching $endif.
if_existing file (string)
if FILE exists, display everything between if_existing and the matching $endif. The optional sec‐
ond parameter checks for FILE containing the specified string and prints everything between
$if_existing and the matching $endif.
if_gw if there is at least one default gateway, display everything between $if_gw and the matching $en‐
dif.
if_match expression
Evaluates the given boolean expression, printing everything between $if_match and the matching
$endif depending on whether the evaluation returns true or not. Valid expressions consist of a
left side, an operator and a right side. Left and right sides are being parsed for contained text
objects before evaluation.
Recognised left and right side types are:
• double: Argument consists of only digits and a single dot.
• long: Argument consists of only digits.
• string: Argument is enclosed in quotation marks (").
Valid operands are:
• < or >
• <= or >=
• == or !=
if_mixer_mute (mixer)
If mixer exists, display everything between $if_mixer_mute and the matching $endif. If no mixer
is specified, “Vol” is used.
if_mounted (mountpoint)
if MOUNTPOINT is mounted, display everything between $if_mounted and the matching $endif.
if_mpd_playing
if mpd is playing or paused, display everything between $if_mpd_playing and the matching $endif.
if_pa_sink_muted
If Pulseaudio’s default sink is muted, display everything between $if_pa_sink_muted and the corre‐
sponding $else or $endif.
if_running (process)
If PROCESS is running, display everything between $if_running and the corresponding $else or $en‐
dif. Note that PROCESS may be either a full command line with arguments (without the directory
prefix), or simply the name of an executable. For example, either of the following will be true
if there is a running process with the command line /usr/bin/conky -u 5:
• ${if_running conky -u 5} or
• ${if_running conky}
It is important not to include trailing spaces. For example, ${if_running conky } will be false.
if_smapi_bat_installed (INDEX)
when using smapi, if the battery with index INDEX is installed, display everything between
$if_smapi_bat_installed and the matching $endif.
if_up (interface)
if INTERFACE exists and is up, display everything between $if_up and the matching $endif.
if_updatenr (updatenr)
If it’s the UPDATENR-th time that conky updates, display everything between $if_updatenr and the
matching $endif. The counter resets when the highest UPDATENR is reached.
Example: {$if_updatenr 1}foo$endif{$if_updatenr 2}bar$endif{$if_updatenr 4}$endif shows foo 25% of
the time followed by bar 25% of the time followed by nothing the other half of the time.
if_xmms2_connected
Display everything between $if_xmms2_connected and the matching $endif if xmms2 is running.
iface (number)
Display interface names starting from 1, eg ${iface 1}.
image (-p x,y) (-s WxH) (-n) (-f interval)
Renders an image from the path specified using Imlib2. Takes 4 optional arguments: a position, a
size, a no-cache switch, and a cache flush interval. Changing the x,y position will move the po‐
sition of the image, and changing the WxH will scale the image. If you specify the no-cache flag
(-n), the image will not be cached. Alternately, you can specify the -f int switch to specify a
cache flush interval for a particular image. Example: ${image /home/brenden/cheeseburger.jpg -p
20,20 -s 200x200} will render `cheeseburger.jpg' at (20,20) scaled to 200x200 pixels. Conky does
not make any attempt to adjust the position (or any other formatting) of images, they are just
rendered as per the arguments passed. The only reason $image is part of the conky.text section,
is to allow for runtime modifications, through $execp $lua_parse, or some other method.
imap_messages (args)
Displays the number of messages in your global IMAP inbox by default. You can define individual
IMAP inboxes separately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: “host user pass [-i
interval (in seconds)] [-f `folder'] [-p port] [-e `command'] [-r retries]”. Default port is 143,
default folder is `INBOX', default interval is 5 minutes, and default number of retries before
giving up is 5. If the password is supplied as ’*’, you will be prompted to enter the password
when Conky starts.
imap_unseen (args)
Displays the number of unseen messages in your global IMAP inbox by default. You can define indi‐
vidual IMAP inboxes separately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: “host user
pass [-i interval (in seconds)] [-f `folder'] [-p port] [-e `command'] [-r retries]”. Default
port is 143, default folder is `INBOX', default interval is 5 minutes, and default number of re‐
tries before giving up is 5. If the password is supplied as ’*’, you will be prompted to enter
the password when Conky starts.
intel_backlight
Display the brightness of your Intel backlight in percent.
ioscheduler disk
Prints the current ioscheduler used for the given disk name (i.e. e.g. “hda” or “sdb”).
irc server(:port) #channel (max_msg_lines)
Shows everything that’s being told in #channel on IRCserver `server'. TCP-port 6667 is used for
the connection unless `port' is specified. Shows everything since the last time or the last
`max_msg_lines' entries if specified.
journal lines (type)
Displays last N lines of the systemd journal. The optional type can be `user' or `system' which
will show only the user or system journal respectively. By default, all journal lines visible to
the user are shown. A maximum of 200 lines can be displayed, or until the text buffer is filled.
kernel Kernel version.
key_caps_lock
An indicator for Capital Lock key.
key_num_lock
An indicator for Number Lock key.
key_scroll_lock
An indicator for Scrolling Lock key.
keyboard_layout
Display keyboard layout.
laptop_mode
The value of /proc/sys/vm/laptop_mode.
legacymem
Amount of memory used, calculated the same way as in the free program.
lines textfile
Displays the number of lines in the given file.
loadavg (1|2|3)
System load average, 1 is for past 1 minute, 2 for past 5 minutes and 3 for past 15 minutes.
Without argument, prints all three values separated by whitespace.
loadgraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Load1 average graph, similar to xload, with optional colours in hex, minus the #. Uses a loga‐
rithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use the -l switch. Takes the switch `-t' to use a
temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change depending on the amplitude of a par‐
ticular graph value (try it and see).
lowercase text
Converts all letters into lowercase.
lua function_name (function parameters)
Executes a Lua function with given parameters, then prints the returned string. See also
`lua_load' on how to load scripts. Conky puts `conky_' in front of function_name to prevent acci‐
dental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
lua_bar (height,width) function_name (function parameters)
Executes a Lua function with given parameters and draws a bar. Expects result value to be an in‐
teger between 0 and 100. See also `lua_load' on how to load scripts. Conky puts `conky_' in
front of function_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_'
in front of it yourself.
lua_gauge (height,width) function_name (function parameters)
Executes a Lua function with given parameters and draws a gauge. Expects result value to be an
integer between 0 and 100. See also `lua_load' on how to load scripts. Conky puts `conky_' in
front of function_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless you place `conky_'
in front of it yourself.
lua_graph function_name (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Executes a Lua function with and draws a graph. Expects result value to be any number, and by de‐
fault will scale to show the full range. See also `lua_load' on how to load scripts. Takes the
switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change depending on the
amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see). Conky puts `conky_' in front of func‐
tion_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless you put you place `conky_' in
front of it yourself.
lua_parse function_name (function parameters)
Executes a Lua function with given parameters as per $lua, then parses and prints the result value
as per the syntax for the conky.text section. See also `lua_load' on how to load scripts. Conky
puts `conky_' in front of function_name to prevent accidental calls to the wrong function unless
you place `conky_' in front of it yourself.
machine
Machine, e.g. i686, x86_64.
mails (mailbox) (interval)
Mail count in the specified mailbox or your mail spool if not. Both mbox and maildir type mail‐
boxes are supported. You can use a program like fetchmail to get mails from some server using
your favourite protocol. See also new_mails.
mboxscan (-n number of messages to print) (-fw from width) (-sw subject width) mbox
Print a summary of recent messages in an mbox format mailbox. mbox parameter is the filename of
the mailbox (can be encapsulated using ’“’, ie. ${mboxscan -n 10”/home/brenden/some box”}
mem Amount of memory in use.
memactive
Amount of active memory. FreeBSD only.
memavail
Amount of available memory as recorded in /proc/meminfo. Linux 3.14+ only.
membar (height),(width)
Bar that shows amount of memory in use.
memdirty
Amount of “dirty” memory. Linux only.
memeasyfree
Amount of free memory including the memory that is very easily freed (buffers/cache).
memfree
Amount of free memory.
memgauge (height),(width)
Gauge that shows amount of memory in use (see cpugauge).
memgraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Memory usage graph. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use the -l switch.
Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change de‐
pending on the amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
meminactive
Amount of inactive memory. FreeBSD only.
memlaundry
Amount of memory in the laundry queue. FreeBSD only.
memmax Total amount of memory.
memperc
Percentage of memory in use.
memwired
Amount of wired memory. FreeBSD only.
memwithbuffers
Amount of memory in use, including that used by system buffers and caches.
memwithbuffersbar (height),(width)
Bar that shows amount of memory in use (including memory used by system buffers and caches).
memwithbuffersgraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Memory usage graph including memory used by system buffers and cache. Uses a logarithmic scale
(to see small numbers) when you use the -l switch. Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature
gradient, which makes the gradient values change depending on the amplitude of a particular graph
value (try it and see).
mixer (device)
Prints the mixer value as reported by the OS. On Linux, this variable uses the OSS emulation, so
you need the proper kernel module loaded. Default mixer is “Vol”, but you can specify one of the
available OSS controls: “Vol”, “Bass”, “Trebl”, “Synth”, “Pcm”, “Spkr”, “Line”, “Mic”, “CD”,
“Mix”, “Pcm2”, “Rec”, “IGain”, “OGain”, “Line1”, “Line2”, “Line3”, “Digital1”, “Digital2”, “Digi‐
tal3”, “PhoneIn”, “PhoneOut”, “Video”, “Radio” and “Monitor”.
Default: Vol
mixerbar (device)
Displays mixer value in a bar as reported by the OS. See docs for $mixer for details on argu‐
ments.
mixerl (device)
Prints the left channel mixer value as reported by the OS. See docs for $mixer for details on ar‐
guments.
mixerlbar (device)
Displays the left channel mixer value in a bar as reported by the OS. See docs for $mixer for de‐
tails on arguments.
mixerr (device)
Prints the right channel mixer value as reported by the OS. See docs for $mixer for details on
arguments.
mixerrbar (device)
Displays the right channel mixer value in a bar as reported by the OS. See docs for $mixer for
details on arguments.
moc_album
Album of the current MOC song.
moc_artist
Artist of the current MOC song.
moc_bitrate
Bitrate in the current MOC song.
moc_curtime
Current time of the current MOC song.
moc_file
File name of the current MOC song.
moc_rate
Rate of the current MOC song.
moc_song
The current song name being played in MOC.
moc_state
Current state of MOC; playing, stopped etc.
moc_timeleft
Time left in the current MOC song.
moc_title
Title of the current MOC song.
moc_totaltime
Total length of the current MOC song.
monitor
Number of the monitor on which conky is running or the message “Not running in X” if this is the
case.
monitor_number
Number of monitors or the message “Not running in X” if this is the case.
mouse_speed
Display mouse speed.
mpd_album
Album in current MPD song.
mpd_albumartist
Artist of the album of the current MPD song.
mpd_artist
Artist in current MPD song must be enabled at compile.
mpd_bar (height),(width)
Bar of mpd’s progress.
mpd_bitrate
Bitrate of current song.
mpd_comment (max length)
Comment of current MPD song.
mpd_date
Date of current song.
mpd_elapsed
Song’s elapsed time.
mpd_file
Prints the file name of the current MPD song.
mpd_length
Song’s length.
mpd_name
Prints the MPD name field.
mpd_percent
Percent of song’s progress.
mpd_random
Random status (On/Off).
mpd_repeat
Repeat status (On/Off).
mpd_smart (max length)
Prints the song name in either the form “artist - title” or file name, depending on whats avail‐
able.
mpd_status
Playing, stopped, et cetera.
mpd_title (max length)
Title of current MPD song.
mpd_track
Prints the MPD track field.
mpd_vol
MPD’s volume.
mysql query
Shows the first field of the first row of the result of the query.
nameserver (index)
Print a nameserver from /etc/resolv.conf.
new_mails (mailbox) (interval)
Unread mail count in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Both mbox and maildir type mail‐
boxes are supported.
no_update text
Shows text and parses the vars in it, but doesn’t update them. Use this for things that do not
change while conky is running, like $machine, $conky_version,... By not updating this you can
save some resources.
nodename
Hostname.
nodename_short
Short hostname (same as `hostname -s' shell command).
nvidia argument (GPU_ID)
Nvidia graphics card information via the XNVCtrl library.
Temperatures are printed as float, all other values as integers.
GPU_ID: Optional parameter to choose the GPU to be used as 0,1,2,3,.. Default parameter is 0
Possible arguments:
Argument Alias Description
─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
gputemp temp GPU temperature
gputempthresh‐ threshold Temperature threshold where the GPU will re‐
old duce its clock speed
ambienttemp ambient Ambient temperature outside the graphics card
gpufreqcur gpufreq Current GPU clock speed
gpufreqmin Minimum GPU clock speed
gpufreqmax Maximum GPU clock speed
memfreqcur memfreq Current memory clock speed
memfreqmin Minimum memory clock speed
memfreqmax Maximum memory clock speed
mtrfreqcur mtrfreq Current memory transfer rate clock speed
mtrfreqmin Minimum memory transfer rate clock speed
mtrfreqmax Maximum memory transfer rate clock speed
perflevelcur perflevel Current performance level
perflevelmin Lowest performance level
perflevelmax Highest performance level
perfmode Performance mode
gpuutil GPU utilization %
membwutil Memory bandwidth utilization %
videoutil Video engine utilization %
pcieutil PCIe bandwidth utilization %
memused mem Amount of used memory
memfree memavail Amount of free memory
memmax memtotal Total amount of memory
memutil memperc Memory utilization %
fanspeed Fan speed
fanlevel Fan level %
imagequality Image quality
modelname Model name of the GPU card
driverversion Driver version
nvidiabar (height),(width) argument (GPU_ID)
Same as nvidia, except it draws its output in a horizontal bar. The height and width parameters
are optional, and default to the default_bar_height and default_bar_width config settings, respec‐
tively.
GPU_ID: Optional parameter to choose the GPU to be used as 0,1,2,3,.. Default parameter is 0
Note the following arguments are incompatible:
• gputempthreshold (threshold)
• gpufreqmin
• gpufreqmax
• memfreqmin
• memfreqmax
• mtrfreqmin
• mtrfreqmax
• perflevelmin
• perflevelmax
• perfmode
• memtotal (memmax)
• fanspeed
nvidiagauge (height),(width) argument (GPU_ID)
Same as nvidiabar, except a round gauge (much like a vehicle speedometer). The height and width
parameters are optional, and default to the default_gauge_height and default_gauge_width config
settings, respectively.
GPU_ID: Optional parameter to choose the GPU to be used as 0,1,2,3,.. Default parameter is 0
For possible arguments see nvidia and nvidiabar.
nvidiagraph argument (height),(width) (gradient color 1) (gradient color 2) (scale) (-t) (-l) GPU_ID
Same as nvidiabar, except a horizontally scrolling graph with values from 0-100 plotted on the
vertical axis. The height and width parameters are optional, and default to the de‐
fault_graph_height and default_graph_width config settings, respectively.
GPU_ID: NOT optional. This parameter allows to choose the GPU to be used as 0,1,2,3,..
For possible arguments see nvidia and nvidiabar. To learn more about the -t -l and gradient color
options, see execgraph.
offset (pixels)
Move text over by N pixels. See also $voffset.
outlinecolor (color)
Change outline color.
pa_card_active_profile
Pulseaudio’s default card active profile.
pa_card_name
Pulseaudio’s default card name.
pa_sink_active_port_description
Pulseaudio’s default sink active port description.
pa_sink_active_port_name
Pulseaudio’s default sink active port name.
pa_sink_description
Pulseaudio’s default sink description.
pa_sink_volume
Pulseaudio’s default sink volume percentage.
pa_sink_volumebar
Pulseaudio’s default sink volume bar.
password (length)
Generate random passwords.
pb_battery item
If running on Apple powerbook/ibook, display information on battery status. The item parameter
specifies, what information to display. Exactly one item must be specified. Valid items are:
Item Description
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
sta‐ Display if battery is fully charged, charging, discharging or ab‐
tus sent (running on AC)
per‐ Display charge of battery in percent, if charging or discharging.
cent Nothing will be displayed, if battery is fully charged or absent.
time Display the time remaining until the battery will be fully charged
or discharged at current rate. Nothing is displayed, if battery
is absent or if it’s present but fully charged and not discharg‐
ing.
pid_chroot pid
Directory used as rootdirectory by the process (this will be “/” unless the process did a chroot
syscall).
pid_cmdline pid
Command line this process was invoked with.
pid_cwd pid
Current working directory of the process.
pid_egid pid
The effective gid of the process.
pid_environ pid varname
Contents of a environment-var of the process.
pid_environ_list pid
List of environment-vars that the process can see.
pid_euid pid
The effective uid of the process.
pid_exe pid
Path to executed command that started the process.
pid_fsgid pid
The file system gid of the process.
pid_fsuid pid
The file system uid of the process.
pid_gid pid
The real gid of the process.
pid_nice pid
The nice value of the process.
pid_openfiles pid
List of files that the process has open.
pid_parent pid
The pid of the parent of the process.
pid_priority pid
The priority of the process (see `priority' in “man 5 proc”).
pid_read pid
Total number of bytes read by the process.
pid_sgid pid
The saved set gid of the process.
pid_state pid
State of the process.
pid_state_short pid
One of the chars in “RSDZTW” representing the state of the process where R is running, S is sleep‐
ing in an interruptible wait, D is waiting in uninterruptible disk sleep, Z is zombie, T is traced
or stopped (on a signal), and W is paging.
pid_stderr pid
Filedescriptor binded to the STDERR of the process.
pid_stdin pid
Filedescriptor binded to the STDIN of the process.
pid_stdout pid
Filedescriptor binded to the STDOUT of the process.
pid_suid pid
The saved set uid of the process.
pid_thread_list pid
List with pid’s from threads from this process.
pid_threads pid
Number of threads in process containing this thread.
pid_time pid
Sum of $pid_time_kernelmode and $pid_time_usermode.
pid_time_kernelmode pid
Amount of time that the process has been scheduled in kernel mode in seconds.
pid_time_usermode pid
Amount of time that the process has been scheduled in user mode in seconds.
pid_uid pid
The real uid of the process.
pid_vmdata pid
Data segment size of the process.
pid_vmexe pid
Text segment size of the process.
pid_vmhwm pid
Peak resident set size (“high water mark”) of the process.
pid_vmlck pid
Locked memory size of the process.
pid_vmlib pid
Shared library code size of the process.
pid_vmpeak pid
Peak virtual memory size of the process.
pid_vmpte pid
Page table entries size of the process.
pid_vmrss pid
Resident set size of the process.
pid_vmsize pid
Virtual memory size of the process.
pid_vmstk pid
Stack segment size of the process.
pid_write pid
Total number of bytes written by the process.
platform (dev) type n (factor offset)
Platform sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev may be omitted if you have only one plat‐
form device. Platform type is either in or vol meaning voltage; fan meaning fan; temp meaning
temperature. Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/bus/platform/devices/ on your local
computer. The optional arguments factor and offset allow precalculation of the raw input, which
is being modified as follows: input = input * factor + offset. Note that they have to be given as
decimal values (i.e. contain at least one decimal place).
pop3_unseen (args)
Displays the number of unseen messages in your global POP3 inbox by default. You can define indi‐
vidual POP3 inboxes separately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: “host user
pass [-i interval (in seconds)] [-p port] [-e `command'] [-r retries]”. Default port is 110, de‐
fault interval is 5 minutes, and default number of retries before giving up is 5. If the password
is supplied as ’*’, you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
pop3_used (args)
Displays the amount of space (in MiB, 2^20) used in your global POP3 inbox by default. You can
define individual POP3 inboxes separately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are:
“host user pass [-i interval (in seconds)] [-p port] [-e `command'] [-r retries]”. Default port
is 110, default interval is 5 minutes, and default number of retries before giving up is 5. If
the password is supplied as ’*’, you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
processes
Total processes (sleeping and running).
read_tcp (host) port
Connects to a tcp port on a host (default is localhost), reads every char available at the moment
and shows them.
read_udp (host) port
Connects to a udp port on a host (default is localhost), reads every char available at the moment
and shows them.
replied_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as replied in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
rss uri interval_in_seconds action (num_par (spaces_in_front))
Download and parse RSS feeds. The interval may be a (floating point) value greater than 0. Ac‐
tion may be one of the following: feed_title, item_title (with num par), item_desc (with num par)
and item_titles (when using this action and spaces_in_front is given conky places that many spaces
in front of each item). This object is threaded, and once a thread is created it can’t be explic‐
itly destroyed. One thread will run for each URI specified. You can use any protocol that Curl
supports.
rstrip text
Strips all trailing whitespace from input.
running_processes
Running processes (not sleeping). Requires Linux 2.6.
running_threads
Number of running (runnable) threads. Linux only.
scroll (direction) length (step) (interval) text
Scroll `text' by `step' characters to the left or right (set `direction' to `left' or `right' or
`wait') showing `length' number of characters at the same time. The text may also contain vari‐
ables. `step' is optional and defaults to 1 if not set. `direction' is optional and defaults to
left if not set. When direction is `wait' then text will scroll left and wait for `interval'
itertations at the beginning and end of the text. If a var creates output on multiple lines then
the lines are placed behind each other separated with a `|'-sign. If you change the textcolor in‐
side $scroll it will automatically have it’s old value back at the end of $scroll. The end and
the start of text will be separated by `length' number of spaces unless direction is `wait'.
seen_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as seen in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir type
mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
shadecolor (color)
Change shading color.
shmem Amount of shared memory. Linux only.
sip_status (switch)
Prints info regarding System Integrity Protection (SIP) on macOS. If no switch is provided,
prints SIP status (enabled / disabled), else, status of the specific SIP feature corresponding to
the switch provided.
Below are shown the available switches:
SWITCH RESULT STATUS
──────────────────────────────────────────────
0 apple internal YES/NO
1 forbid untrusted kexts YES/NO
2 forbid task-for-pid YES/NO
3 restrict filesystem YES/NO
4 forbid kernel-debugger YES/NO
5 restrict dtrace YES/NO
6 restrict nvram YES/NO
7 forbid device-configuration YES/NO
8 forbid any-recovery-os YES/NO
9 forbid user-approved-kexts YES/NO
uses unsupported configuration?: If yes, prints “unsupported configuration, beware!” Else, prints
“configuration is ok”.
USAGE:
$ conky -t '${sip_status}'
# print SIP status
$ conky -t '${sip_status 0}'
# print allows apple-internal? Yes or No?
NOTES:
• Available for all macOS versions (even the ones prior El Capitan where SIP was first introduced)
• If run on versions prior El Capitan SIP is unavailable, so all you will get is “unsupported”.
smapi (ARGS)
When using smapi, display contents of the /sys/devices/platform/smapi directory. ARGS are either
(FILENAME) or bat (INDEX) (FILENAME) to display the corresponding files’ content. This is a very
raw method of accessing the smapi values. When available, better use one of the smapi_* variables
instead.
smapi_bat_bar (INDEX),(height),(width)
when using smapi, display the remaining capacity of the battery with index INDEX as a bar.
smapi_bat_perc (INDEX)
when using smapi, display the remaining capacity in percent of the battery with index INDEX. This
is a separate variable because it supports the `use_spacer' configuration option.
smapi_bat_power INDEX
when using smapi, display the current power of the battery with index INDEX in watt. This is a
separate variable because the original read out value is being converted from mW. The sign of the
output reflects charging (positive) or discharging (negative) state.
smapi_bat_temp INDEX
when using smapi, display the current temperature of the battery with index INDEX in degree Cel‐
sius. This is a separate variable because the original read out value is being converted from
milli degree Celsius.
sony_fanspeed
Displays the Sony VAIO fanspeed information if sony-laptop kernel support is enabled. Linux only.
startcase text
Capitalises the start of each word.
stippled_hr (space)
Stippled (dashed) horizontal line.
stock symbol data
Displays the data of a stock symbol. The following data is supported:
Name Description
────────────────────────────────────────────────────
1ytp 1 yr Target Price
200ma 200-day Moving Average
50ma 50-day Moving Average
52weekhigh
52weeklow
52weekrange
adv Average Daily Volume
ag Annualized Gain
ahcrt After Hours Change realtime
ask
askrt ask realtime
asksize
bid
bidrt bid realtime
bidsize
bookvalue
c200ma Change From 200-day Moving Average
c50ma Change From 50-day Moving Average
c52whigh Change from 52-week high
c52wlow Change From 52-week Low
change
changert change realtime
cip change in percent
commission
cprt change percent realtime
dayshigh
dayslow
dpd Dividend Pay Date
dr day’s range
drrt day’s range realtime
ds dividend/share
dvc Day’s Value Change
dvcrt Day’s Value Change realtime
dy Dividend Yield
ebitda
edv Ex-Dividend Date
ei error indication
epsecy EPS Estimate Current Year
epsenq EPS Estimate Next Quarter
epseny EPS Estimate Next Year
es earnings/share
floatshares
hg Holdings Gain
hgp Holdings Gain Percent
hgprt Holdings Gain Percent realtime
hgrt Holdings Gain realtime
hl high limit
hv Holdings Value
hvrt Holdings Value realtime
ll low limit
ltd Last Trade Date
ltp last trade price
lts Last Trade Size
ltt Last Trade Time
mc Market Capitalization
mcrt Market Cap realtime
moreinfo
name
notes
obrt Order Book realtime
open
pb price/book
pc previous close
pc200ma Percent Change From 200-day Moving
Average
pc50ma Percent Change From 50-day Moving Av‐
erage
pc52whigh percent change from 52-week high
pc52wlow Percent Change From 52-week Low
pegr PEG Ratio
pepsecy Price/EPS Estimate Current Year
pepseny Price/EPS Estimate Next Year
per P/E Ratio
perrt P/E Ratio realtime
pricepaid
ps price/sales
se Stock Exchange
sharesowned
shortratio
symbol
tradedate
tradelinks
tt Ticker Trend
volume
swap Amount of swap in use.
swapbar (height),(width)
Bar that shows amount of swap in use.
swapfree
Amount of free swap.
swapmax
Total amount of swap.
swapperc
Percentage of swap in use.
sysctlbyname (name)
Print sysctl value by name. FreeBSD only.
sysname
System name, e.g. Linux.
tab (width, (start))
Puts a tab of the specified width, starting from column `start'. The unit is pixels for both ar‐
guments.
tail logfile lines (next_check)
Displays last N lines of supplied text file. The file is checked every `next_check' update. If
next_check is not supplied, Conky defaults to 2. Max of 30 lines can be displayed, or until the
text buffer is filled.
tcp_ping host (port)
Displays the number of microseconds it takes to get a reply on a ping to to tcp `port' on `host'.
`port' is optional and has 80 as default. This works on both open and closed ports, just make
sure that the port is not behind a firewall or you will get `down' as answer. It’s best to test a
closed port instead of an open port, you will get a quicker response.
tcp_portmon port_begin port_end item (index)
TCP port (both IPv6 and IPv4) monitor for specified local ports. Port numbers must be in the
range 1 to 65535. Valid items are:
Item Description
─────────────────────────────────────────────────
count Total number of connections in the
range
rip Remote ip address
rhost Remote host name
rport Remote port number
rservice Remote service name from /etc/ser‐
vices
lip Local ip address
lhost Local host name
lport Local port number
lservice Local service name from /etc/services
The connection index provides you with access to each connection in the port monitor. The monitor
will return information for index values from 0 to n-1 connections. Values higher than n-1 are
simply ignored. For the count item, the connection index must be omitted. It is required for all
other items.
Examples:
Example Description
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
${tcp_portmon 6881 Displays the number of connections in the bittor‐
6999 count} rent port range
${tcp_portmon 22 22 Displays the remote host ip of the first sshd
rip 0} connection
${tcp_portmon 22 22 Displays the remote host ip of the tenth sshd
rip 9} connection
${tcp_portmon 1 1024 Displays the remote host name of the first con‐
rhost 0} nection on a privileged port
${tcp_portmon 1 1024 Displays the remote host port of the fifth con‐
rport 4} nection on a privileged port
${tcp_portmon 1 65535 Displays the local service name of the fifteenth
lservice 14} connection in the range of all ports
Note that port monitor variables which share the same port range actually refer to the same moni‐
tor, so many references to a single port range for different items and different indexes all use
the same monitor internally. In other words, the program avoids creating redundant monitors.
templateN (arg1) (arg2) (arg3 ...)
Evaluate the content of the templateN configuration variable (where N is a value between 0 and 9,
inclusively), applying substitutions as described in the documentation of the corresponding con‐
figuration variable. The number of arguments is optional, but must match the highest referred in‐
dex in the template. You can use the same special sequences in each argument as the ones valid
for a template definition, e.g. to allow an argument to contain a whitespace. Also simple nesting
of templates is possible this way.
Here are some examples of template definitions, note they are placed between [[ ... ]] instead of
...:
template0 = [[$12]]
template1 = [[1: ${fs_used 2} / ${fs_size 2}]]
template2 = [[1 2]]
The following list shows sample usage of the templates defined above, with the equivalent syntax
when not using any template at all:
Using template Same without template
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
${template0 node name} $nodename
${template1 root /} root: ${fs_free /} / ${fs_size /}
${template1 ${template2 disk root} disk root: ${fs_free /} /
/} ${fs_size /}
——————————————— ——————————————
texeci interval command
Runs a command at an interval inside a thread and displays the output. Same as $execi, except the
command is run inside a thread. Use this if you have a slow script to keep Conky updating. You
should make the interval slightly longer than the time it takes your script to execute. For exam‐
ple, if you have a script that take 5 seconds to execute, you should make the interval at least 6
seconds. See also $execi. This object will clean up the thread when it is destroyed, so it can
safely be used in a nested fashion, though it may not produce the desired behaviour if used this
way.
texecpi interval command
Same as execpi, except the command is run inside a thread.
threads
Total threads.
time (format)
Local time, see “man strftime” to get more information about format.
to_bytes size
If `size' is a number followed by a size-unit (kilobyte,mb,GiB,...) then it converts the size to
bytes and shows it without unit, otherwise it just shows `size'.
top type num
This takes arguments in the form:top (name) (number) Basically, processes are ranked from highest
to lowest in terms of cpu usage, which is what (num) represents. The types are: “name”, “pid”,
“cpu”, “mem”, “mem_res”, “mem_vsize”, “time”, “uid”, “user”, “io_perc”, “io_read” and “io_write”.
There can be a max of 10 processes listed.
top_io type num
Same as top, except sorted by the amount of I/O the process has done during the update interval.
top_mem type num
Same as top, except sorted by mem usage instead of cpu.
top_time type num
Same as top, except sorted by total CPU time instead of current CPU usage.
totaldown (net)
Total download, overflows at 4 GB on Linux with 32-bit arch and there doesn’t seem to be a way to
know how many times it has already done that before conky has started.
totalup (net)
Total upload, this one too, may overflow.
trashed_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails marked as trashed in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
tztime (timezone (format))
Local time for specified timezone, see man strftime to get more information about format. The
timezone argument is specified in similar fashion as TZ environment variable. For hints, look in
/usr/share/zoneinfo. e.g. US/Pacific, Europe/Zurich, etc.
uid_name uid
Username of user with this uid.
unflagged_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails not marked as flagged in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
unforwarded_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails not marked as forwarded in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only
maildir type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
unreplied_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of mails not marked as replied in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir
type mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
unseen_mails (maildir) (interval)
Number of new or unseen mails in the specified mailbox or mail spool if not. Only maildir type
mailboxes are supported, mbox type will return -1.
updates Number of updates
for debugging.
uppercase text
Converts all letters into uppercase.
upspeed (net)
Upload speed in suitable IEC units.
upspeedf (net)
Upload speed in KiB with one decimal.
upspeedgraph (netdev) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) (-t) (-l)
Upload speed graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the
scale for the graph. Uses a logarithmic scale (to see small numbers) when you use the -l switch.
Takes the switch `-t' to use a temperature gradient, which makes the gradient values change de‐
pending on the amplitude of a particular graph value (try it and see).
uptime Uptime.
uptime_short
Uptime in a shorter format.
user_names
Lists the names of the users logged in.
user_number
Number of users logged in.
user_terms
Lists the consoles in use.
user_time console
Lists how long the user for the given console has been logged in for.
user_times
Lists how long users have been logged in for.
utime (format)
Display time in UTC (universal coordinate time).
v6addrs (-n) (-s) (interface)
IPv6 addresses for an interface, followed by netmask if -n is specified and scope with -s. Scopes
are Global(G), Host-local(H), Link-local(L), Site-local(S), Compat(C) and Unspecified(/). Linux
only.
version
Git version number. DragonFly only.
voffset (pixels)
Change vertical offset by N pixels. Negative values will cause text to overlap. See also $off‐
set.
voltage_mv (n)
Returns CPU #n’s voltage in mV. CPUs are counted from 1.
Default: 1
voltage_v (n)
Returns CPU #n’s voltage in V. CPUs are counted from 1.
Default: 1
wireless_ap (net)
Wireless access point MAC address. Linux only.
wireless_bitrate (net)
Wireless bitrate (ie 11 Mb/s). Linux only.
wireless_channel (net)
WLAN channel on which device `net' is listening.
wireless_essid (net)
Wireless access point ESSID. Linux only.
wireless_freq (net)
Frequency on which device `net' is listening.
wireless_link_bar (height),(width) (net)
Wireless link quality bar. Linux only.
wireless_link_qual (net)
Wireless link quality. Linux only.
wireless_link_qual_max (net)
Wireless link quality maximum value. Linux only.
wireless_link_qual_perc (net)
Wireless link quality in percents. Linux only.
wireless_mode (net)
Wireless mode (Managed/Ad-Hoc/Master). Linux only.
words textfile
Displays the number of words in the given file.
xmms2_album
Album in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_artist
Artist in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_bar (height),(width)
Bar of XMMS2’s progress.
xmms2_bitrate
Bitrate of current song.
xmms2_comment
Comment in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_date
Returns song’s date.
xmms2_duration
Duration of current song.
xmms2_elapsed
Song’s elapsed time.
xmms2_genre
Genre in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_id
XMMS2 id of current song.
xmms2_percent
Percent of song’s progress.
xmms2_playlist
Returns the XMMS2 playlist.
xmms2_size
Size of current song.
xmms2_smart
Prints the song name in either the form “artist - title” or file name, depending on whats avail‐
able.
xmms2_status
XMMS2 status (Playing, Paused, Stopped, or Disconnected).
xmms2_timesplayed
Number of times a song was played (presumably).
xmms2_title
Title in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_tracknr
Track number in current XMMS2 song.
xmms2_url
Full path to current song.
LUA API
Conky features a Lua Programming API, and also ships with Lua bindings for some useful libraries. Note
that the bindings require tolua++, which currently only compiles against Lua 5.1.
To use Lua Conky, you first need to make sure you have a version of Conky with Lua support enabled (conky
-v will report this). Conky defines certain global functions and variables which can be accessed from
Lua code running in Conky. Scripts must first be loaded using the lua_load configuration option. You
then call functions in Lua via Conky’s $lua, $lua_read, and Lua hooks.
Be careful when creating threaded objects through the Lua API. You could wind up with a whole bunch of
threads running if a thread is created with each iteration.
NOTE: In order to accommodate certain features in the cairo library’s API, Conky will export a few addi‐
tional functions for the creation of certain structures. These are documented below.
cairo_font_extents_t:create()
Call this function to return a new cairo_font_extents_t structure. A creation function for this
structure is not provided by the cairo API.
After calling this, you should use tolua.takeownership(cfe) on the return value to ensure owner‐
ship is passed properly.
cairo_font_extents_t:destroy(structure)
Call this function to free memory allocated by cairo_font_extents_t:create.
You should call tolua.releaseownership(cfe) before calling this function to avoid double-frees,
but only if you previously called tolua.takeownership(cfe)
cairo_matrix_t:create()
Call this function to return a new cairo_matrix_t structure. A creation function for this struc‐
ture is not provided by the cairo API.
After calling this, you should use tolua.takeownership(cm) on the return value to ensure ownership
is passed properly.
cairo_matrix_t:destroy(structure)
Call this function to free memory allocated by cairo_matrix_t:create.
You should call tolua.releaseownership(cm) before calling this function to avoid double-frees, but
only if you previously called tolua.takeownership(cm)
cairo_text_extents_t:create()
Call this function to return a new cairo_text_extents_t structure. A creation function for this
structure is not provided by the cairo API.
After calling this, you should use tolua.takeownership(cte) on the return value to ensure owner‐
ship is passed properly.
cairo_text_extents_t:destroy(structure)
Call this function to free memory allocated by cairo_text_extents_t:create.
You should call tolua.releaseownership(cte) before calling this function to avoid double-frees,
but only if you previously called tolua.takeownership(cte)
conky_build_arch
A string containing the build architecture for this particular instance of Conky.
conky_build_date
A string containing the build date for this particular instance of Conky.
conky_build_info
A string containing the build info for this particular instance of Conky, including the version,
build date, and architecture.
conky_config
A string containing the path of the current Conky configuration file.
conky_info
This table contains some information about Conky’s internal data. The following table describes
the values contained:
Key Value
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
update_interval Conky’s update interval (in seconds).
conky_parse(string)
This function takes a string that is evaluated as per Conky’s TEXT section, and then returns a
string with the result.
conky_set_update_interval(number)
Sets Conky’s update interval (in seconds) to `number'.
conky_version
A string containing the version of the current instance of Conky.
conky_window
This table contains some information about Conky’s window. The following table describes the val‐
ues contained:
Key Value
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
drawable Window’s drawable (Xlib Drawable), requires Lua extras
enabled at compile time.
visual Window’s visual (Xlib Visual), requires Lua extras en‐
abled at compile time.
display Window’s display (Xlib Display), requires Lua extras en‐
abled at compile time.
width Window width (in pixels).
height Window height (in pixels).
border_in‐ Window’s inner border margin (in pixels).
ner_margin
border_out‐ Window’s outer border margin (in pixels).
er_margin
border_width Window’s border width (in pixels).
text_start_x The x component of the starting coordinate of text draw‐
ing.
text_start_y The y component of the starting coordinate of text draw‐
ing.
text_width The width of the text drawing region.
text_height The height of the text drawing region.
NOTE: This table is only defined when X support is enabled.
RsvgRectangle:create()
Call this method to return a new RsvgRectangle structure. A creation function for this structure
is not provided by the Rsvg API.
After calling this, you should use tolua.takeownership(rect) on the return value to ensure owner‐
ship is passed properly.
RsvgRectangle:destroy()
Call this method to free memory allocated by RsvgRectangle:create.
You should call tolua.releaseownership(rect) before calling this function to avoid double-frees,
but only if you previously called tolua.takeownership(rect)
RsvgRectangle:set(x, y, width, height)
Sets the values of an existing RsvgRectangle.
RsvgRectangle:get()
Gets the values of an existing RsvgRectangle.
RsvgDimensionData:create()
Call this method to return a new RsvgDimensionData structure. A creation function for this struc‐
ture is not provided by the Rsvg API.
After calling this, you should use tolua.takeownership(rect) on the return value to ensure owner‐
ship is passed properly.
RsvgDimensionData:destroy()
Call this method to free memory allocated by RsvgDimensionData:create.
You should call tolua.releaseownership(dd) before calling this function to avoid double-frees, but
only if you previously called tolua.takeownership(dd)
RsvgDimensionData:set(x, y, width, height)
Sets the values of an existing RsvgDimensionData.
RsvgDimensionData:get()
Gets the values of an existing RsvgDimensionData.
EXAMPLES
conky -t '${time %D %H:%M}' -o -u 30
Start Conky in its own window with date and clock as text and 30 sec update interval.
conky -a top_left -x 5 -y 500 -d
Start Conky to background at coordinates (5, 500).
conky -C > ~/.config/conky/conky.conf
Do not start Conky, but have it output the builtin default config file to ~/.con‐
fig/conky/conky.conf for later customising.
FILES
${sysconfdir}/conky/conky.conf
Default system-wide configuration file. The value of ${sysconfdir} depends on the compile-time
options (most likely /etc).
~/.config/conky/conky.conf
Default personal configuration file.
BUGS
Drawing to root or some other desktop window directly doesn't work with all window managers. Especially
doesn't work well with Gnome and it has been reported that it doesn't work with KDE either. Nautilus can
be disabled from drawing to desktop with program gconf-editor. Uncheck show_desktop in /apps/nau‐
tilus/preferences/. There is -w switch in Conky to set some specific window id. You might find xwininfo
-tree useful to find the window to draw to. You can also use -o argument which makes Conky to create its
own window. If you do try running Conky in its own window, be sure to read up on the own_window_type
settings and experiment.
SEE ALSO
https://github.com/brndnmtthws/conky
COPYING
Copyright (c) 2005-2024 Brenden Matthews, Philip Kovacs, et. al. Any original torsmo code is licensed
under the BSD license (see LICENSE.BSD for a copy). All code written since the fork of torsmo is li‐
censed under the GPL (see LICENSE.GPL for a copy), except where noted differently (such as in portmon and
audacious code which are LGPL, and prss which is an MIT-style license).
AUTHORS
The Conky dev team (see AUTHORS for a full list of contributors).
2024-04-01 conky(1)