kitten panel cmd vs kitty cmd on x11 and Gnome Ubuntu

[juanMarinero]

uname -a # 24.04.3-Ubuntu
echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP # ubuntu:GNOME
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE # x11
zsh --version # zsh 5.9 (x86_64-ubuntu-linux-gnu)

https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/kittens_intro/

kitty has a framework for easily creating terminal programs that make use of its advanced features. These programs are called kittens.

I wonder about the kitten panel command for my specs (see top: X11 & GNOME), which is full compatible based on Compatibility with various platforms section.

I coded below (kitty_terminal_new zsh function) how to create a new resized kitty panel, and also send it a zsh-command via:

• Option A: kitty (if true)
• Option B: kitty +kitten panel (else)
  Notice just the option A works, the B does not proper left align, and no idea how to send commands.

Questions:

• How to fix option B?
• Is less error prone the option A?
• Are these, options A and B, a good approach at all??
• Is it possible to change the width-height of the current kitty panel instead of creating a new one?

kitty_terminal_new() {
  # Example usage: kitty_terminal_new 65 100 'echo "New terminal" && date' 
  #   65% width, 100% height of current terminal screen
  #   Runs: echo "New terminal" && date
 
  # Get screen dimensions
  read screen_width screen_height < <(xdotool getdisplaygeometry)

  # Calculate new dimensions
  local width_pct="${1:-100}"  # Default to 100% if not provided
  local height_pct="${2:-100}"  # Default to 100% if not provided
  local new_width=$((screen_width * width_pct / 100))
  local new_height=$((screen_height * height_pct / 100))
  # Get optional terminal command
  local terminal_cmd=${3:-'echo "New terminal"'}

  # Launch Kitty with new dimensions
  if true; then
    kitty \
      -o initial_window_width=$new_width \
      -o initial_window_height=$new_height \
      -o remember_window_size=no \
      --position 0x0 \
      zsh -i -c "$terminal_cmd; exec zsh"

  else
    # TODO:
    # - left aligned not working
    # - pass zsh cmd
    # https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/kittens/panel/#command-line-interface
    # https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/issues/8408
    kitty +kitten panel \
      --edge=left \
      -o initial_window_width=$new_width \
      -o initial_window_height=$new_height \
      -o remember_window_size=no \
      kitty
  fi
}

Thanks in advance!

PD: These programs are called kittens says https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/kittens_intro/. Maybe the word "kittens" there should be cursive since the word "kitty" is cursive in docs; for consistency. Same happens in most, but not all, "kitten(s)" of https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/kittens/panel/

[kovidgoyal]

I have no idea what you are trying to do. You seem to be running kitty inside the panel kitten? That will simply start a new kitty window. Instead run the actual command you want to run. The panel kitten already creates a new window. And if you want to resize existing panel windows you can do so via remote control, once you enable it, using kitten @ resize-os-window --action=os-panel

[juanMarinero]

Thank you for:

• Moving to discussions, since it's actually a Q&A. Sorry for creating it as issue
• Your constructive answer!

Start a new kitty window

You seem to be running kitty inside the panel kitten? That will simply start a new kitty window.

Indeed, that is the purpose of options A and B. Well to start a new kitty panel and also resize it and send a zsh-command.

So...

• How to fix option B?
• Is less error prone the option A?
• Are these, options A and B, a good approach at all??

Resize existing panel

Your answer

if you want to resize existing panel windows you can do so via remote control, once you enable it, using kitten @ resize-os-window --action=os-panel

The os-panel of --action=os-panel I dont even know to what it refers, is it about launch [options]? If yes then it's related to my option B, but it shrinks it since -o (override) cannot be passed:

Takes the same settings as the panel kitten, except for --override and --config

My new proposal

If to activate remote control are needed alike next config settings, based on remote-control and conf/#opt-kitty.allow_remote_control

allow_remote_control yes
listen_on unix:@mykitty

...then it's weird, cause kitty @ resize-os-window --unit pixels --width 600 works without it, as soon as I exit the maximized screen:

kitty_panel_resize() {
  # Example usage: kitty_panel_resize 65 50 false 
  #   65% width, 50% height of current terminal screen
  #   3rd args means false to left align, ergo right align
 
  # https://github.com/kovidgoyal/kitty/discussions/8864
  
  # Get screen dimensions
  read screen_width screen_height < <(xdotool getdisplaygeometry)

  # Calculate new dimensions
  local width_pct="${1:-50}"  # Default to 50% if not provided
  local height_pct="${2:-100}"  # Default to 100% if not provided
  local new_width=$((screen_width * width_pct / 100))
  local new_height=$((screen_height * height_pct / 100))
  # right/left align
  local align_left="${3:-true}"  # Default to left align

  # Resize current Kitty terminal
  # Un-maximize the panel screen
  wmctrl -r :ACTIVE: -b remove,maximized_vert,maximized_horz
  # Resize
  # https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/generated/rc/#resize-os-window
  kitty @ resize-os-window --unit pixels --width $new_width --height $new_height --action resize
  # Align
  win_id=$(xdotool getactivewindow)
  local align_horiz_px=$((screen_width * 50 / 100))
  if $align_left; then
    align_horiz_px=0
  fi 
  xdotool windowmove $win_id $align_horiz_px 0
}

Further questions

Un-maximize the kitty panel

As soon as I exit the maximized screen I can resize it, so to un-maximize it I propose next ways (2nd and 3rd need answers please):

1. Set hide_window_decorations no in kitty configs file. This works but it's permanet. I really like yes hidding it.
2. kitty @ resize-os-window --os-panel 'hide_window_decorations=yes' gives me (kitty 0.42.2 ): Error: Unknown option: --os-panel. But docs says it's a valid flag.
3. Trigger the Toggle-fullscreen shortcut manually. How to run this via command line?
4. Run wmctrl -r :ACTIVE: -b remove,maximized_vert,maximized_horz. This works, though it's not a kitty command (nor kitten). This is used in function below.

Align

--position 0x0 was used in option A. Now I have no idea how to do it via kitty-sh commands. I use xdotool windowmove instead.

[kovidgoyal]

I'm afraid I dont have the time to guide you through all that. I'll just leave you with a couple of tips. 1) The docs for remote control are in https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/remote-control/ with docs for individual commands in https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/remote-control/#kitten or just run kitten @ command --help or man ***@***.*** 2) You want to change config settings the relevant command is kitten @ load-config --override 3) You cannot use remote control without either turning it on globally via kitty.conf *before* starting kitty or using a mapping such as map f1 launch --allow-remote-control ... or map f1 remote_control_script .... Read the docs for actions you can map at https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/actions/ Good luck.