# py3status
**py3status** is an extensible i3status wrapper written in Python.
Using py3status, you can take control of your i3bar easily by:
- using one of the available
[modules](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/modules/)
shipped with py3status
- grouping multiple modules and automatically or manually cycle their
display
- writing your own modules and have their output displayed on your bar
- handling click events on your i3bar and play with them in no time
- seeing your clock tick every second whatever your i3status interval
**No extra configuration file needed**, just install & enjoy!
## About
You will love py3status if you're using [i3wm](https://i3wm.org)
(or [sway](https://swaywm.org)) and are frustrated by the i3status
[limitations](https://faq.i3wm.org/question/459/external-scriptsprograms-in-i3status-without-loosing-colors/) on your i3bar such as:
- you cannot hack into it easily
- you want more than the built-in modules and their limited configuration
- you cannot pipe the result of one of more scripts or commands in your bar easily
## Philosophy
- **no added configuration file, use the standard i3status.conf**
- **rely on i3status**' strengths and its **existing configuration** as much as possible
- **be extensible**, it must be easy for users to add their own
stuff/output by writing a simple python class which will be loaded
and executed dynamically
- **easily allow interactivity** with the i3bar
- add some **built-in enhancement/transformation** of basic i3status modules output
We apply the [Zen of py3status](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/dev-guide/contributing/#zen-of-py3status) to improve this project and encourage everyone to read it!
## Documentation
Up-to-date [documentation](https://py3status.readthedocs.io):
- [Installation](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/installation/)
- [Getting started](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/getting-started/)
- [Using Modules](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/configuration/#loading-and-ordering-py3status-modules)
- [Custom click events](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/configuration/#custom-click-events)
- [The py3-cmd command line](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/remote-control/)
- [Writing custom modules](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/dev-guide/writing-modules/)
- [Contributing](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/dev-guide/contributing/)
Get help or share your ideas on IRC:
- channel **\#py3status** on **OFTC**
## Installation
See the up to date and complete [installation instructions](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/installation/) for your favorite distribution.
## Usage
In your i3 config file, simply switch from *i3status* to *py3status* in
your *status_command*:
status_command py3status
Usually you have your own i3status configuration, just point to it:
status_command py3status -c ~/.i3/i3status.conf
## Options
You can see the help of py3status by issuing \`py3status -h\`:
usage: py3status [-h] [-b] [-c FILE] [-d] [-g] [-i PATH] [-l FILE] [-s]
[-t INT] [-m] [-u PATH] [-v] [--wm WINDOW_MANAGER]
The agile, python-powered, i3status wrapper
optional arguments:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-b, --dbus-notify send notifications via dbus instead of i3-nagbar
(default: False)
-c, --config FILE load config (default: /home/alexys/.i3/i3status.conf)
-d, --debug enable debug logging in syslog and --log-file
(default: False)
-g, --gevent enable gevent monkey patching (default: False)
-i, --include PATH append additional user-defined module paths (default:
None)
-l, --log-file FILE enable logging to FILE (default: None)
-s, --standalone run py3status without i3status (default: False)
-t, --timeout INT default module cache timeout in seconds (default: 60)
-m, --disable-click-events
disable all click events (default: False)
-u, --i3status PATH specify i3status path (default: /usr/bin/i3status)
-v, --version show py3status version and exit (default: False)
--wm WINDOW_MANAGER specify window manager i3 or sway (default: i3)
## Available modules
[All modules](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/modules/)
shipped with py3status are [configurable directly from your current i3status.conf](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/configuration/#loading-and-ordering-py3status-modules)!
[Check them out](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/modules/)
to see all the configuration options.
## Control from CLI
Just like i3status, you can force an update of your i3bar by sending a
SIGUSR1 signal to py3status. Note that this will also send a SIGUSR1
signal to i3status:
killall -USR1 py3status
To refresh individual modules, the
[py3-cmd](https://py3status.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide/remote-control/)
utility can be used, e.g:
py3-cmd refresh wifi