# FvwmConsole(1)

## NAME

FvwmConsole - an fvwm command input interface

## SYNOPSIS

Module FvwmConsole [options]

FvwmConsole can only be invoked by fvwm. Command line invocation of the FvwmConsole module will not work.

## DESCRIPTION

FvwmConsole allows the user to type fvwm configuration commands interactively, and have them executed immediately. This tool is particularly useful for testing new configuration ideas, or for implementing temporary changes to your environment.

## INVOCATION

FvwmConsole must be spawned as a module by fvwm. FvwmConsole takes all xterm(1) options.

FvwmConsole can be invoked by inserting the line 'Module FvwmConsole' in the .fvwm2rc file. This can be placed on a line by itself, if FvwmConsole is to be spawned during fvwm’s initialization, or can be bound to a menu or mouse button or keystroke to invoke it later.

## CONFIGURATION OPTIONS

FvwmConsole uses xterm(1). All resources set for xterm are inherited unless overridden by command line options.

    Module FvwmConsole -g 40x10 -fg black -bg green3

A different terminal emulator can be specified with the -terminal option. However, only terminal programs that understand the options -name, -title and -e can be used. Debian specific: hardcoded xterm is changed to x-terminal-emulator. To be policy compliant -name option is removed from default options and -title is change to -T.

    Module FvwmConsole -terminal rxvt

Previous versions of FvwmConsole supported a -e option to choose a different front-end. Although this option is still provided for backwards compatibility its use is discouraged unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Also X resources can be set in your ~/.Xdefaults file:

    FvwmConsole*VT100*geometry: 40x4 +
    FvwmConsole*font: 7x14

Debian specific: Since -name is not included by default, the default resource will be set by the x-terminal-emulator used and not FvwmConsole. You can change the resource to match the terminal, or if supported by the terminal, run FvwmCConsole with the -name option:

> Module FvwmConsole -name FvwmConsole

## COMMAND EDITING

If the GNU readline library is available, it can be used. Overwise a simple input reading function which doesn’t have editing capabilities is used. For more details, refer GNU readline man and info pages.

    Ctrl-A::
      - beginning of line
    Ctrl-B::
      - previous char
    Ctrl-D::
      - delete char
    Ctrl-E::
      - end of line
    Ctrl-F::
      - next char
    Ctrl-H::
      - backspace
    Ctrl-K::
      - erase to the end of line
    Ctrl-N::
      - next line
    Ctrl-P::
      - previous line
    Ctrl-R::
      - search reverse
    Ctrl-U::
      - delete line
    Meta-B::
      - previous word
    Meta-F::
      - next word
    Esc <::
      - beginning of history
    Esc >::
      - end of history

## EXITING

FvwmConsole can be stopped by entering the EOF character (usually CTRL-D).

Note! Do not use the "quit" command, as this is an fvwm builtin: typing "quit" at the FvwmConsole command line will cause fvwm to exit.

## SEE ALSO

xterm(1), GNU Readline library

## AUTHOR

FvwmConsole is the original work of Toshi Isogai.