#+options: toc:nil num:nil

* How to use "xrandr" to use multiple screens in i3-wm

i3-windows manager is a really good program. Simple, powerful, quite handy.

Sometimes you need to use multiple screens. When you are working with i3-wm there is not too much buttons or icons to push...

So you can use the command line to solve the problem.

** ~xrandr~ command

~xrandr~ is a command line interface to RandR extension in GNU systems.

From the manual:

#+begin_quote
  "used to set the size, orientation or reflection of the outputs for a screen"
#+end_quote

Running it will allow the users to visualize the state of the outputs

#+begin_example sh
  xrandr
#+end_example

Let's suppose that you have a computer and you put a second screen by HDMI port. 
Running ~xrandr~ with the following arguments will put the output (let's call it "HDMI") to the left of the main screen of the computer ("LVDS1") and will put an automatic resolution to the new screen:

#+begin_example sh
  xrandr --output HDMI --auto --left-of LVDS1
#+end_example sh

Using VGA instead of HDMI:

#+begin_example sh
  xrandr --output VGA1 --auto --left-of LVDS1
#+end_example sh

That's all! 

You are good to use the new screen in a second workspace. Check the i3-wm userguide for more information.


** References

- [[https://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_configuring_your_monitors][i3-wm documentation: configuring monitors]]