lqth is a small screenshot utility for X11, inspired by xscreenshot and designed around a minimal command-line interface. It concentrates on extracting image data from an X display without bundling a graphical screenshot editor or extensive desktop integration.
Unlike screenshot utilities that directly save PNG or JPEG files, lqth writes Farbfeld image data to standard output. This makes it particularly suitable for shell pipelines and tools that can convert Farbfeld into more widely used image formats.
The project also provides a Rust library, but its standalone command-line program allows screenshots to be taken without writing application code. It is aimed at users who prefer to assemble screen capture workflows from small, specialised utilities.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Captures an entire X11 screen by default, writing image data directly to standard output.
- Allows capture of a specific window by X window identifier, including the active window obtained with xdotool.
- Supports a specified rectangular screenshot region, making it usable alongside tools such as xrectsel.
- Selects an X display explicitly when capturing from a non-default X server.
- Supports screen selection in multi-screen X11 configurations.
- Uses the Farbfeld image format, which can be converted using ff2png or ff2jpg.
- Allows screenshot data to be piped to image converters and then copied to an X11 clipboard with xclip.
- Depends on libX11, without a need for a graphical application window.
- Provides a Rust crate for developers who want to integrate its image capture functionality into other software.
- Does not provide native Wayland screenshot capture.
Website: github.com/0x61nas/lqth
Support:
Developer: Anas Elgarhy
License: MIT License
lqth is written in Rust. Learn Rust with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
| maim | Make Image aims to improve on scrot |
| scrot | SCReenshOT is a simple command line screen capture utility |
| slop | Queries for a selection from the user and prints the region to stdout |
| wayshot | Screenshot tool for wayland compositors |
| termframe | Terminal output SVG screenshot tool |
| grim | Utility to take screenshots of Wayland desktops |
| shotman | Uncompromising screenshot tool for Wayland compositors |
| shotgun | Minimal screenshot utility |
| ImageMagick | Create, edit, and compose bitmap images |
| HyprCap | Capture screenshots and screen recordings on Hyprland |
| lqth | Simple but fast screenshot utility inspired by xscreenshot |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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