How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

Bulky_Section · 2023-04-18 22:34:23

I am trying to configure xterm terminal and in wiki, it says it is done via X resources. I installed "xorg-xrdb" package then created a "~/.Xresources" file and edited and added these lines:
XTerm.vt100.foreground: white
XTerm.vt100.background: black
XTerm.vt100.color0: rgb:28/28/28
XTerm.vt100.color15: rgb:e4/e4/e4

but it doesn't do anything. Xterm still opens with its strange font and white background black text colour. What am I even supposed to do here? Arch wiki is such a mess in this.
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/X_resources
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Xterm

Trilby · 2023-04-18 23:07:20

Two likely issues, 1) do you merge the resources as described in that first link? 2) You have very specific name/class specifiers that may not match - start with wildcard matches to ensure the settings are even being read:

*.foreground: white
*.background: black
...

Bulky_Section · 2023-04-19 00:01:47

Trilby wrote:

Two likely issues, 1) do you merge the resources as described in that first link? 2) You have very specific name/class specifiers that may not match - start with wildcard matches to ensure the settings are even being read:
*.foreground: white
*.background: black
...

I just tried this and it still doesn't work. It opens with white background and black text colour.

I wrote these commands after I created ~/.Xresources file

xrdb ~/.Xresources
xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources

I am using i3 window manager btw, could it be i3 loading a config somewhere else?

Bulky_Section · 2023-04-19 00:53:12

Trilby wrote:

Two likely issues, 1) do you merge the resources as described in that first link? 2) You have very specific name/class specifiers that may not match - start with wildcard matches to ensure the settings are even being read:
*.foreground: white
*.background: black
...

Okay this solution actually worked. I just added * these to the beginning instead of adding after xterm that's why it didn't work before.

Thank you for your help! Why aren't these like these "xterm*..." instead of "xterm. ..." That would be less confusing.

Trilby · 2023-04-19 03:15:35

The * is a wildcard matching any resource class (or name). "xterm*" would only match a class or name that started with "xterm".

You can use xprop to check the actual resource name and class of your terminal windows if you have any need for more specific entires, but if xterm is the only program using the xrdb, just stick with the general wildcards.

seth · 2023-04-19 06:48:55

What am I even supposed to do here? Arch wiki is such a mess in this.

1. https://man.archlinux.org/man/extra/xte … #RESOURCES
2. https://terminal.sexy/
3. No it's not. It's just not a source for blind copypasta.
You kinda forgot colors 1-14 and Trilby's solution is literally in the wiki.

xrdb -q

Personally I'd suggest a pattern like

XTerm*foreground:	#fafafa
XTerm*background:	#333333
XTerm*cursorColor:	#1793d0

as xterm has more elements than the vt100, notably:
https://man.archlinux.org/man/extra/xte … _Resources

If your xterm is configured to support the “toolbar”, then those patterns need an extra level for the form-widget which holds the toolbar and vt100 widget. A wildcard between the top-level “XTerm” and the “vt100” widget makes the resource settings work for either, e.g., “XTerm*vt100.NAME”.

Also

I just added * these to the beginning instead of adding after xterm

Why aren't these like these "xterm*..." instead of "xterm. ..."

nb. that capitalization matters.

Please always remember to mark resolved threads by editing your initial posts subject - so others will know that there's no task left, but maybe a solution to find.
Thanks.

Arch Linux

#1 2023-04-18 22:34:23

How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

#2 2023-04-18 23:07:20

Re: How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

#3 2023-04-19 00:01:47

Re: How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

#4 2023-04-19 00:53:12

Re: How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

#5 2023-04-19 03:15:35

Re: How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

#6 2023-04-19 06:48:55

Re: How am I supposed to configure Xterm?

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